Recent Webinar Recordings

Superior Hiking Trail Visitor Count Process and Methodology

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14 days ago

The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) is a 300-mile long distance footpath that stretches from the Wisconsin border to the Canadian border, offering stunning views of Lake Superior, dense Northwoods, and rugged ridgelines. The SHT is free to use, requires no permits, and has over 60 trailheads along with dozens of other access points. Other factors come into play like proximity to population centers and well-known tourist destinations.

How many people use the SHT each year? Until 2023, it was unknown. But thanks to a larger Master Plan led by the Superior Hiking Trail Association, the nonprofit that oversees the building, management and maintenance of the SHT, there was finally an answer.

Partnering with Dr. Greg Lindsey from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, the Association was able to develop and execute a robust trail traffic count study and most importantly identify a methodology that can be applied for ongoing monitoring. At this webinar you will learn about the development of SHTA’s data collection and monitoring and how the Association is using this new data to inform the management of the Trail.

Speakers:

Lisa Luokkala, SHTA
Dr. Greg Lindsey, Univ. Of Minnesota

Learning Objectives:

Understand how trail user count data can be collected and analyzed on long distance trails.
Identify and understand ways small nonprofits/agencies in rural communities can collect trail count data and create a data monitoring plan.
Learn how trail count data can inform visitor use management and prioritize maintenance plans on long distance trails.