Reimagining trail management: analyzing the landscape of challenges and opportunities of collaborative management at the college M in Bozeman, Montana

Abstract

In recent years, National Forest policy rules and plans have repeatedly mentioned the need for agencies to engage in collaborative management to meet forest management objectives. Previous research on the theory of collaborative management supports this emphasis and shows that collaboration is necessary and effective in addressing ecological challenges, even more so when the public is involved. This study examines the Bozeman, Montana's College M trail and the surrounding area in the Custer Gallatin National Forest. This is a high-use and multijurisdictional area, that provides an exemplary case study for grounding theories of collaborative management in real-world applications. Through semi-structured interviews with 16 people involved in the management of the College M area, this research sought to understand how land managers currently engage with each other and with the public to make decisions about the area. My results revealed the nuances of the challenges and opportunities of collaborative management for the College M area. Moreover, my research shows the practical relevance of collaborative management while providing recommendations for continued collaborative management successes in the College M area and similar settings.