Designing Trails for People and Wildlife
Credit: Northern BC Tourism & Shayd Johnson
Webinar Recap – November 4, 2025
On November 4, the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC hosted an engaging webinar exploring how to design trails that work for both people and wildlife. The session unpacked the Trail Development Guidelines to Minimize Disturbance to and Conflict with Large Carnivores, a guidebook providing research-backed recommendations for planning, designing, and maintaining non-motorized recreation trails in areas shared with bears, cougars, wolves, and other large carnivores.
The guide was written for the ORCBC by Magi Scallion, Division Manager of Trails and Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure at McElhanney, and Kim Titchener, Founder of Bear Safety & More and a long-time expert in reducing human–wildlife conflict. Together, they shared key lessons and practical strategies for trail planners, builders, and recreation managers.
Key Learnings
Coexistence requires compromise. If we value having large carnivores on the landscape, humans must be the ones to adapt.
Hikers, hunters, and campers are most likely to experience negative wildlife encounters.
Busier trails mean higher risk—for both people and animals.
Sudden encounters—such as those caused by high-speed activities, blind corners, or poor sightlines—create the greatest danger.
Actionable Takeaways
The guidebook outlines 15 practical guidelines organized into three stages of trail management: Planning, Design, and Operations.
1. Planning
Thoughtful planning can significantly reduce conflicts before a trail is ever built.
Avoid developing trails in high-value habitats and wildlife travel corridors.
Integrate existing land-use and conservation plans early in the process.
Use tools like BC’s GIS HabitatWizard and consult with local wildlife and conservation groups to identify sensitive areas.
Plan for how trail use may evolve over time, and consider seasonal or time-of-day closures to reduce wildlife disturbance.
2. Design
Smart trail design can reduce risks and promote safer coexistence.
Avoid game trails and remove or reroute around berry patches.
Use tighter corners and technical features to slow users down.
Improve sightlines by managing vegetation and adjusting trail alignment.
Schedule trail building during low wildlife sensitivity periods (e.g., avoid denning, spawning, or berry seasons).
Apply these practices not just to new trails, but also to existing ones through retrofitting.
3. Operations
Once a trail is active, ongoing management helps maintain safety and balance.
Recognize that trails often serve as pathways for wildlife too.
Manage trail corridors by removing berries, maintaining open sightlines, and planting species that discourage wildlife use.
Use clear, transparent, and timely signage—and always explain the “why” behind closures or advisories.
Combine education and enforcement: reward positive behavior, not just penalize violations.
Resources
Trail Development Guidelines to Minimize Disturbance to and Conflict with Large Carnivores (Publication link)
WildSmart – Resources for living and recreating responsibly in wildlife country
WildSafeBC – Provincial wildlife safety education
Special Offers for Webinar Attendees
Trail Consultation Discount
McElhanney is offering webinar registrants a discounted assessment:
$2,000 for up to 10 km of trail
Includes a 1-page report outlining how the trail complies with wildlife best practices
Contact Magi Scallion at 403-621-1449 or mscallion@mcelhanney.com.
Bear Safety Course
Access Kim Titchener’s self-paced online training at www.bearsafetycourses.com.
By integrating science-based planning and on-the-ground experience, trail managers can create networks that protect both wildlife and the people who love to explore their habitats.