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Visitor Use Management Workshop

  • Wisconsin DNR Office 101 S Webster St Madison, WI 53707 USA (map)

Date: Friday, April 18
Cost: $140
Maximum: 50 attendees

Classroom and Field Site: Starting and ending at the Wisconsin DNR office and will check out a nearby urban trail in City of Madison (close to WI DNR office)

Schedule:

9:00am - Start in classroom with a welcome and workshop objectives

9:30am - Visitor Use Management background

10:00am - Desired conditions and management direction

10:30am - Break

10:45am - Management strategies and actions

11:15am - Data collection and monitoring

12:00pm - lunch (provided)

12:30pm - Depart to field visit (walk to nearby urban site)

1:00pm - Data collection presentation

2:30pm - Travel back to WI DNR office

3:00pm - Discuss field observations and closeout

3:30pm - Adjourn65587

As more people enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time on trails - and communities and trail-based businesses benefit from both residents and visitor spending due to outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities - there is an increasing need to provide quality trail experiences while ensuring natural and cultural resources are protected. 

Visitor use management is a proactive and adaptive approach for identifying desired conditions for visitor experiences and natural and cultural resource conditions, and selecting management strategies and actions to best achieve or maintain those desired conditions. Desired conditions can and should vary across landscapes and are based on both management guidance (i.e., agency policies, county resolutions) and shared interest and values. Similarly, management strategies and actions will vary and should be monitored to ensure they are actually supporting desired conditions; if not, adaptation and adjustment may be necessary.

This workshop will provide an overview of the Visitor Use Management (VUM) Framework developed by the federal Interagency Visitor Use Management Council and how it supports managing for high quality trail experiences. It will also discuss application of the VUM Framework at various scales including federal and non-federal lands, site-specific and landscape or regional. Finally, participants will have a chance to visit a nearby trail and practice identifying desired conditions and selecting management strategies in small groups.

The session will take place at the Wisconsin DNR office which is 3 blocks from the convention center and is walkable. We will also have a field session in the afternoon on the John Nolen Path which is an approximately 20-minute walk on an accessible trail. Dress in layers and bring a rain jacket in case of inclement weather! 

Learning Objectives

1) Understand and define key visitor use management terms and concepts

2) Identify types of situations where the VUM Framework may be a useful tool for trail planning

3) Define desired conditions and discuss examples of desired conditions for trail experiences and for natural and cultural resources

4) Identify examples of trail management strategies and actions and how they align with desired conditions

5) Practice developing desired conditions and selecting management strategies to maintain or achieve the stated desired conditions

Instructors

Rachel Francina, Executive Director, Society of Outdoor Recreation Professional

Rachel Franchina spent 20 years working for the U.S. Forest Service as a recreation program manager and planner. She also served on the board of the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals for nine years and now serves as SORP's Executive Director. Rachel is a connector of people and ideas and uses her knowledge of land management, recreation planning, and facilitation to develop sustainable recreation strategies that connect people to the outdoors and protect natural and cultural resources.

Rachel is also a highly skilled facilitator trained in Appreciative Inquiry and Technology of Participation.  She has facilitated dozens of meetings and workshops, both virtual and in person. She thrives on helping groups effectively identify and achieve their goals for productive meetings. 

Most importantly, Rachel loves spending time with her family outdoors!

Brigit Brown, Recreation Management Supervisor, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

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April 18

Developing Your Trail Eyes (field session)