Resources

Water Trails Library | Technical Assistance Organizations | Other Related Organizations | Federal Agencies

Water Trails Library

The Essentials

This section focuses on materials directly related to water trails, and for the most part, represents work done by Al Staats and a great number of professional associates and colleagues during the last five years. For more information on any of these products, including availability and how to get them, please contact us.

North American Water Trails: A Guide to Establishing and Maintaining Recreational Waterways on Fresh and Salt Water, 2000 Edition

This book, an update from the original first published in 1995, makes the case for modern water trails and how they can benefit us. Drawing on the experiences of scores of individuals and organizations involved in water trail building and management, it is the only 'how-to' guide available on the subject. Both the original and this update are the fruits of the tireless efforts of David Getchell, Sr., founder of the Maine Island Trail and co-founder of North American Water Trails. NAWT, 2000, paperback, 109 pages.
Editor- David Getchell, Sr., Managing Editor- Al Staats, Contributors- Karen Stimpson, Mary Monfort, Cynthia Mount, Steve Spencer, Lelia Mellen, Franz Gimmler, Sandie Rumble.

ro

Edited Proceedings of the Third Biennial International Water Trails Conference , Shepherdstown , WV 1998

More than 400 water trails enthusiasts from across North America gathered October 9-13, 1998, in Shepherdstown, WV to participate in the 3rd Biennial International Water Trails Conference sponsored by North American Water Trails, the National Park Service, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland DNR and VA DCR. This publication extensively covers the presentations of conference workshops organized around five plenary panels: Water Trail Case Studies, Getting Started: Birth of a Water Trail, Keeping Going: How is the Water Trail Sustained?, The Federal Role in Water Trails, and State and Provincial Programs That Work. Offering a vast array of experiences, insights and anecdotes, this book will provide direction to help new water trails get started, keep existing water trails going, give valuable information on the Federal role in water trails, and provide encouragement that water trail programs can work. 8 1/2 x 11", 138 pages. U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, 2000.
Transcription- Caset Associates, Ltd. Copy Editor- David Getchell, Sr., Design- Graphic Works, Inc.

Why Water Trails?

Why Water Trails makes the case for water trails, outlining the many benefits to individuals, the communities we live in and our natural world. This brochure was made possible by a grant from Confluence Watersports Co. NAWT, 2001.
Co-authors- Al Staats, Franz Gimmler; production design, photos- Confluence Watersports Co.

Guiding Principles of Water Trails In North America

The Guiding Principles is a manifesto that provides a global framework for the creation of water trails. It presents eight 'Guiding Principles', that when applied to your unique local circumstances, will result in the creation of a definitive trail design and management plan. This essay was developed under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. NAWT, 2000.
Project Director/Editor- Al Staats; Project Team/co-authors- Al Staats, Franz Gimmler, Brook Lenker, Elizabeth Porter (NPS).

Guiding Principles for Water Trails - A Visual and Spoken Presentation

This Power Point presentation is based on NAWT's eight Guiding Principles, addresses every aspect of water trail development and use-- from partnerships and stewardship to education and conservation. The Principles are designed to better assist local water trails organizers as they develop new trails or maintain existing trails.  The program on CD-ROM will enable water trail organizations deliver a highly professional presentation on water trail values to interested audiences. This publication was made possible by a grant from the Vira I. Heinz Foundation. 45 minutes duration. NAWT, 2003.
Authors- Al Staats and Dasha Kimmelman

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Water Trail Toolbox

The Water Trail Toolbox: How to Plan, Build and Manage a Water Trail is a web-based reference tool developed for water trail builders to use in addressing critical water trail issues and technical topics-from water trail basics to development and management issues. 

The on-line toolbox starts with an introduction, followed by three sections: Planning, Building and Managing--with brief (ABC's) introduction of the topic–the what and why, followed by a stepwise (123's) presentation guiding water trail partners on who, how, and when to do the work. Additional Resources highlights examples and case studies from successful (and unsuccessful) projects that ground the sections in real word experience. Includes photographs and illustrations, references (contacts, publications, web sites, etc.) from water trails in the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, and nationwide. Much of the information contained in the toolbox is based on materials developed by NAWT in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. CBGN, on-line, 2005.
Project Director - Al Staats (2001-03); Editors- Al Staats, David Getchell Sr. ; Project Team/co-authors- Al Staats, David Getchell, Franz Gimmler, Brook Lenker. Includes additional contributions from a national network of water trail technical advisors.

Publishing Trail Guidance: Maps and Guides, Guidebooks and Signs

Publishing Trail Guidance highlights approaches to maps, guides, and signage used by a variety of water trail organizations across the United States and Canada. It is intended to better assist local water trails organizers as they develop new trails or maintain existing trails. Section 1 covers the basic components to create maps and guides or guidebooks; Section 2 describes the purposes and best design and construction of signage. This publication was part of a project, Working For Water Trails in Western Pennsylvania , made possible by a grant from the Vira I. Heinz Foundation. NAWT, 2002, 39 pages, full color.
Editor/Author- Al Staats. This notebook was prepared by Al Staats and Elizabeth Welsh, with text, photos and other contributions from the Appalachian Mountain Club, Association of Bay Area Governments, Chemung Basin Water Trail, Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, Choptank & Tuckahoe River Water Trail, Des Plaines Water Trail- Openlands Project, David R. Getchell, Sr., Fishing Bay Water Trail, Amy Haack, Hudson River Water Trail Association, Hudson Valley Greenway Association, Janes Island Water Trail, Scott Keller, Kennebec Valley Trails, Inc., Lake Superior Water Trail Association of MN., Lancaster County Planning Commission, Leave No Trace, Inc., Brook Lenker, Kristen MacDonald, Sari Mandel, Maine Bureau of Public Lands, Maine Island Trail Association, Gary Mechanic, MD Dept. of Natural Resources, MN Dept. of Natural Resources, Jack Mosby, National Geographic Maps, National Park Service-RTCA, North American Water Trails, Inc., North Carolina Paddle Trails Initiative, Rivanna River Water Trail, River Network, San Francisco Bay Access, Steve Spencer, Susquehanna River Water Trail, Angie Tornes and the Washington Water Trails Association.

Trail Maps, Guides and Signage- A Visual and Spoken Presentation

Trail maps, guides and signage are an integral part of any successful water trail. This Power Point presentation will provide you with the necessary tools to create a map, guide and signage program specific to your water trail. Successfully implemented, a trail map, guide and signage program will result in a more useful and enriching experience for the users of the waters and lands along the trail. They will take away a greater appreciation for the natural, historic, cultural and spiritual richness of their visit. The program on CD-ROM will enable water trail organizations deliver a highly professional presentation on this vitally important topic to interested audiences. 45 minutes duration. This publication was part of a project, Working For Water Trails in Western Pennsylvania , made possible by a grant from the Vira I. Heinz Foundation. NAWT, 2003.
Authors- Al Staats, Elizabeth Welsh, Dasha Kimmelman.

French Creek Carrying Capacity Issues Assessment

This report presents the findings of a working team that collaborated with the French Creek Project and Western PA Conservancy and other groups, in carrying out a preliminary social and biophysical carrying capacity assessment on the feasibility of a water trail on this remarkable waterway that earned the Nature Conservancy's 'Last Great Places' designation. Included is an annotated bibliography of scientific studies relevant to carrying capacity on the biological community. It was part of a project, Working For Water Trails in Western Pennsylvania , made possible by a grant from the Vira I. Heinz Foundation. NAWT, 2002, 21 pages, full color.
Co-authors- Al Staats and Robert Murphy; Project Director/Editor- Al Staats; Project Team- Al Staats, Robert Murphy, Elizabeth Welsh, Brook Lenker.

The Rest of the Library

These are just a few samples of the many reference works that relate to aspects of water trail planning, building, and management, or to the community-based organizations that sustain them. New titles will be added regularly; please check back often.

River Advocates Fundraising Guide: A handbook For River and Watershed Organizations- A River Network Publication

As a contributing Editor to the quarterly River Network Fundrasing Alerts , Al Staats writes on fundraising and technology topics. This handbook is an edited compendium of previously published Alerts; Al Staats, Sarah Clark and David Jenkins authored the chapter, Online Fundraising, one of dozens of sections on fundraising and organization capacity building. River Network, Portland, OR 2004.

The Economics of River Conservation: An Annotated Bibliography

This major report documents, enhances and shares knowledge of the economic benefits of conserved rivers. It offers an extensive list of studies, papers, and articles on this subject, with summaries of their content. T authors intended that the studies presented in this bibliography get further recognition and increased use, and that researchers continue to add to this body of knowledge through further study and documentation. National Park Service, DC, 2002.

Manual #4: Urban Stream Repair Practices

This stream repair manual concentrates on practices used to enhance the appearance, stability, structure, or function of urban streams. The manual offers guidance on three broad approaches to urban stream repair - stream cleanups, simple repairs, and more sophisticated comprehensive repair applications. The manual offers practical advice to help design, permit, construct and maintain stream repair practices in a series of more than 30 profile sheets. Center for Watershed Protection, 2005.

Logical Lasting Launches

This guide provides design guidance for developing canoe and kayak launches. Case examples, designs, and photos of launch sites are included. You can read this document online or download to your hard drive. NPS- Rivers & Trails Program, Washington, DC, 2004.