Lakes Partnership: Wisconsin Water Trails: Concepts

Wisconsin Water Trails: Basic Concepts

What a Water Trail Is

A water trail is a network of access points, resting places and attractions for users of water craft on lakes and rivers.

A water trail is a "schoolhouse without walls" which involves the recreational boater and general public in shoreland preservation and stewardship programs.

Water trails afford an opportunity for people to personally explore our natural and cultural heritage from a distinctly unique perspective - "sitting on" the water.

Water trails bring the user into contact with the whole ecology of the trail corridor, and in the process the user learns and grows physically, mentally and emotionally; while the community grows in spirit, economic health and vitality.

Water trails continue an important traditional mode of travel that has been practiced for thousands of years - first by Native Americans, then by the explorers and traders who followed - and now by people who wish to rediscover the joy and adventure of small boat travel.

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Water Trail Principles

Appreciation –

Wisconsin’s residents and guests share a deep appreciation of the natural and scenic beauty of our lakes and streams, shorelands and wetlands, and the communities that thrive there. Water trails, viewed from on the water or shore, put people in touch with their emotions regarding the states’ natural resources.

Partnership -

A water trail is the product of partnerships. With volunteers as the key supporters and advocates of the trail, partnerships are developed among government land managing agencies, private property owners, government regulatory agencies, user groups, and local businesses. Together, these groups can create and maintain a successful water trail with broad-based and long-term support.

Education -

Water trail organizations use comprehensive trail guides, signage, public outreach, and information to encourage awareness of the natural, cultural, and historical attributes of the trail. Serving as outdoor classrooms, water trails teach through seeing, listening, touching and experiencing.

Recreation and Well-being -

Water trails are wholesome; fresh air and exercise bring fitness and health to trail users. Education and awareness about health and safety, combined with water skills training, can help to promote the wellness and well-being of all water trail users.

Conservation -

Water trail activities can support the conservation of the aquatic and shoreland ecosystems. Trail builders and activists are a respected constituency who advocate for resource protection, and participate in resource restoration. The water trail community is a watchdog, helping to prevent damage to the environment and striving to sustain the natural integrity of the trail and it’s watershed.

Community Vitality -

A water trail is part of a network of recreational and educational opportunities. Hiking trails, bikeways, greenways, museums, historic sites, parks and preserves are connected, creating frontiers for exploration, discovery and enrichment. The connections build a sense of place and bind citizens in a love for their community.

Local Economics -

Water trails as recreation destinations provide rural communities with income to local boat liveries & outfitters, motels and bed & breakfasts, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and shops. Trail users often have an interest in the history and environment of the community, and can help to support museums, nature centers and other cultural assets.

Volunteerism -

Community involvement and volunteerism are the keys to developing a sense of trail stewardship. Most water trails are created, promoted, and maintained through the energy and dedication of local citizens who promote the trail within the community, encourage respect for the trail's natural and cultural heritage and ensure support for the trail's existence.

Stewardship -

By promoting minimum‑impact practices, water trails embrace the “Leave No Trace” code of outdoor ethics that promote the responsible use and enjoyment of the outdoors. A trail user who is educated to respect the quality of the water, shoreland vegetation, and aquatic and wildlife habitats is a good caretaker. As users learn protection and restoration on the trail, they will be inclined to apply these principles in their daily lives.

Diversity -

Water trails are open to all. The able‑bodied and disabled, the young and old, the disadvantaged and advantaged are able to participate in the trail. Through shared work and play, tolerance and understanding are fostered.

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Who Should Be Involved

Trail users include; boaters, campers, sightseers, hunters and fishers, summer camps and other outdoor organizations.

Property owners including private; lake and river associations; tribal, federal, state and local government; electric utilities and industry.

Local businesses including; boat liveries, sporting equipment, restaurants, convenience stores and chambers of commerce.

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Getting Established

Identify, and travel on, a stretch of water that has good potential for recreation and education.

Find a sponsor with long term interest in the project and the ability to organize volunteers for trail development and maintenance. For example: community service groups, boat liveries, boating and conservation clubs, lake and river associations, local and county parks and recreation departments.

Find a local supporter to provide funds for trail signs, maps, and educational materials.

Place signs at put-in and take-out points, portages and interpretive sites.

Establish a navigation corridor (if necessary selectively removing obstructions to navigation), and pick up litter and debris along the trail.

Promote use of the trail with newspaper articles, brochures and maps, and public events. Consider the level of marketing that is appropriate for the local conditions.

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Maintaining the Trail

List all of the maintenance needs for the trail including: signage; put-ins, take-outs, camp sites and portages; annual trail clean-up; interpretive and marketing materials.

Create a schedule for maintenance activities.

Organize a group of volunteers as a trail maintenance crew.

Publicize trail maintenance activities to attract volunteers and tout success.

Create an Adopt-A-Trail program to attract local sponsorship.

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Organizations Supporting Water Trails

Capitol Water Trails

http://www.capitolwatertrails.org

National Parks Service-Rivers and Trails Conservation Program

http://www.ncrc.nps.gov/rtca/index.htm

National Organization for Rivers

http://www.nationalrivers.org/