State wildlife trails (United States)
State wildlife trails in the United States are state-sponsored systems of hiking and driving trails developed for the benefit of birdwatching and wildlife enthusiasts. They have been created and maintained by state governments or other state-level entities, both to promote ecology and to promote tourism. The term "trail" used in the names of most of these systems is, in general, a misnomer as that these trail networks are not single routes and are connected by motorways.
These wildlife trail systems typically cover multiple wildlife viewing sites covering large areas of their respective states. Viewing sites may include nature preserves, state parks, national parks, and other venues.[1][2]
The first of these trail systems was the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.[3][4][5] Numerous other trail systems have been opened throughout the country since.
Apart from these state-maintained trail networks, some nature-advocacy groups and other entities have defined their own "trails" (a notable example being the Audubon Society's Great River Birding Trail that spans the entire Mississippi River). These are not discussed here.
Trail systems by state
[edit]The following are state nature trails found in each state.[2][5]
Alabama
[edit]Alabama has developed a total of 8 birding trails, with 280 locations as of 2019.[6] There are locations to watch birds in 65 of Alabama's 67 counties.
- Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail
- Alabama Coastal Birding Trail
- Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail
- North Alabama Birding Trail
- Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail
- Piney Woods Birding Trail
- West Alabama Birding Trail
- Wiregrass Birding Trail
Alaska
[edit]- Alaska Coastal Wildlife Viewing Trail
Arizona
[edit]- Southeastern Arizona Birding Trail
California
[edit]- Central Coast Birding Trail
- Eastern Sierra Birding Trail
Colorado
[edit]- Great Pikes Peak Birding Trail
- Pawnee National Grassland Self-Guided Bird Tour
- Colorado Birding Trail
Connecticut
[edit]- Connecticut Coastal Birding Trail
Florida
[edit]Georgia
[edit]Kansas
[edit]- Kansas Birding and Prairie Flora Trails
Louisiana
[edit]- Grand Isle Birding Trail
Kentucky
[edit]- John James Audubon Birding Trail
Minnesota
[edit]- Pine to Prairie Birding Trail
- Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail
Montana
[edit]- Great Montana Birding and Wildlife Trail
New Jersey
[edit]- New Jersey Birding & Wildlife Trails
New Mexico
[edit]- Southwest New Mexico Birding Trail
New York
[edit]- Audubon Niagara Birding Trails
North Dakota
[edit]- Steele Birding Drive
- Bismarck-Mandan Birding Drive
- Central Dakota Birding Drive
Ohio
[edit]- Southern Ohio Birding and Heritage Trail
Oregon
[edit]- Klamath Basin Birding Trail
- Oregon Cascade Birding Trail
Pennsylvania
[edit]- Susquehanna River Birding and Wildlife Trail
Texas
[edit]- Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail
- Heart of Texas Wildlife Trail
- Panhandle Plains Wildlife Trail
- Prairies and Pineywoods Wildlife Trail
Utah
[edit]- Great Salt Lake Birding Trails
Vermont
[edit]- Lake Champlain Birding Trail
Virginia
[edit]- Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
Washington
[edit]- Great Washington Birding Trail
Wisconsin
[edit]- Great Wisconsin Birding Trail
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Stewart, Doug. "Getting on the Trail of America's Birds". National Wildlife Federation. Retrieved 12 Nov 2009.
- ^ a b "Flyways North America's New Birding Trails". Bird Watcher's Digest. Retrieved 12 Nov 2009.
- ^ "Visitors Flock to Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail". NOAA Coastal Services Center. May–June 2000.
- ^ Stewart, Doug. "Getting on the Trail of America's Birds". National Wildlife Federation. Retrieved 11 Nov 2009.
- ^ a b "Birding Trails in North America". American Birding Association. Retrieved 11 Nov 2009.
- ^ "Alabama Birding Trails". Outdoor Alabama. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
