The findings from my long-distance hiker survey indicate:

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• 98% of hikers are interested in environmental issues that affect the trails they hike because:

  • 33% - it’s all related, what is happening to the trail is happening to everything everywhere

  • 27% - the specific issues affecting the trail could make it unhikeable in the future.

  • 26% - they want to be part of the solution.

  • 13% - they learned about an issue while hiking and want to learn more.

• 87% of hikers say their viewpoint about the world has changed after hiking a long-distance trail because.

  • 16% - spending extended time in nature has changed their perspectives.

  • 16% - they found something they love doing and want to continue doing.

  • 13% - they are happier.

  • 13% - they have experience kindness and generosity unlike in other times in their lives.

  • 12% - they have gotten to know people from all different walks of life.

  • 11% - they now feel they are a part of nature, not separate from it.

  • 10% - they have enjoyed experiencing the local culture.

  • 6% - they are more optimistic about their future now.

• Hikers think these issues will most impact hiking long-distance trails in the future:

  • 16% - forest fires.

  • 14% - climate change.

  • 13% - water scarcity/drought.

  • 12% - encroaching development.

  • 10% - loss of access.

  • 9% - loss of biodiversity.

  • 9% - resource extraction/mining/oil & gas drilling.

  • 8% - pollution.

  • 4% - overcrowding/overuse.

  • 2% - lack of trail maintenance.

• 69% of hikers would and 31% would maybe take action on an environmental issue that affects a trail if asked.

• Hikers are motivated to take action on a social or environmental issues because:

  • 21% - the issue directly affects them.

  • 21% - they want to help even though the issue doesn’t directly affect them or anyone they know/help for the greater good.

  • 20% - the issue directly affects people they know or their community.

  • 17% - they want to be useful.

  • 10% - they have a service/skill/money/business that can make a difference on the issue.

  • 9% - because a person or organization asked for their help.

• Trail organizations could encourage hikers to act on behalf of environmental issues that affect the trail by:

  • 26% - including more information about environmental issues in the trail materials so they can learn and engage during their hike.

  • 24% - including more information about environmental issues that affect the trail before they hike so they are prepared with some basic knowledge.

  • 20% - including more information about environmental issues that affect the trail after they hike because they know the place intimately now.

  • 17% - just asking m.

  • 11% - holding more events to engage/inform them about issues.

• 21% of hikers say it's their connection with nature that makes a great trail experience.

• Hikers want to learn more about a wide variety of topics before/during/after they hike including:

  • 19% - flora and fauna along the trail.

  • 19% - natural history along the trail.

  • 18% - Indigenous history and Native cultures along the trail.

  • 18% - geology along the trail.

  • 14% - public lands along the trail.

  • 6% - environmental history/current environmental issues along the trail.

  • 5% - trail town history and culture along the trail.

• Hikers want a variety of formats in these enhanced trail resources including:

  • 25% - digital materials to use on the trail.

  • 23% - informational/interpretive signage or kiosks on the trail.

  • 22% - smart phone app or inclusion on an existing smart phone app.

  • 15% - audio resources to use on the trail.

  • 13% - printed materials to use on the trail.​