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Trail Ecology Survey Program Hub

Get Started with the Trail Ecology Survey Program!
Are you interested in learning about the diversity of life surrounding our region’s trail system? Are you eager to protect these areas from invasive plants and forest pests that threaten the delicate balance of nature? Then follow these simple steps to become a Trail Ecology Surveyor, a volunteer role where you become a forest health detective!

After completing training and officially registering for our program, you will be assigned a 1-2 mile stretch of trail, convenient to your home or of interest to you, to search for a select list of high-priority invasive plants and native plants showing heightened resistance to invasive forest pests while you hike. It’s a great way to not only learn about what’s growing and thriving along our trails, but also how to help protect these treasured natural areas.

Start Your Training (Step-by-Step)

Complete your core training to become a Trail Ecology Surveyor
Learn the basics of how to identify, survey, and report on several high-priority invasive plants and native plants showing heightened resistance to forest pests. The data you collect as a volunteer helps set priorities for the management of these surveyed areas.

Step 1: Watch Workshop 1: Species Identification

Video overview of the Trail Ecology Survey Program, the target species on this year’s list, and how to tell them apart from other look-alikes

Watch Workshop 1

Step 2: Survey Procedures, Data Collection, and Reporting

Learn about the survey procedures for data collection and reporting, including introductions to helpful nature ID and reporting apps that enhance user confidence and communication.

Watch Workshop 2

Step 3: Choose your trail assignment & begin surveying!

After completing both workshops, you get to choose where you would like to survey from our official Trail Assignment list! To claim an assignment, simply write your name in Column A of the spreadsheet.

Choose your trail!

Step 4: Collect/Transfer Data

Print the PDF of this datasheet to take with you into the field! Once you have completed surveying your trail section, we kindly encourage volunteers to convert their field notes into digital format by downloading the Excel file and transferring your handwritten data over to it.

Trail Survey Datasheet (.pdf)

Trail Survey Datasheet (.xlsx)

Step 5: Submit your data!

Once you’ve transferred your data to Excel format, fill out the following form to complete your survey and submit your data. Congratulations on completing your assignment!

Submit Data!

Required Resources

Download Guides, Forms, and Field Tools to Support Your Survey Work
Access quick reference materials and forms to support your Trail Ecology Survey fieldwork.