Featured Recreation Trails Program-funded Project

iz Townley loves podcasts. When she is driving or exercising, she listens to podcasts on leadership, National Public Radio stories, or lighthearted programs. “One guilty pleasure,” Townley con- fessed, “is Alec Baldwin’s ‘Here’s the Thing.’”

So, when the Bureau of Land Man- agement recreation planner was think- ing about ways to encourage young people to use and take care of public lands, the idea of podcasts came to mind. Townley’s vision became reality  features six numbered markers that signal a podcast stop. Local students have helped write and narrate short podcasts about the Lewis and Clark history of the area, wildlife that call Discovery Hill home, the community of Salmon, other activities that happen in the popular recreation area, and a reminder to use the area with respect. Young people are more likely to

be respectful of the area because they were so involved in the project’s de- velopment. The Salmon High School volleyball team helped improve the

24 SUMMER 2016 AmericanTrails.org

Salmon, Idaho’s Podcast Trail L

BLM’s Discovery Hill trail system uses technology to engage youth

By Gina Knudson, Executive Director, Salmon Valley Stewardship

trail itself, high school art students custom painted the metal headphone markers on the trail, and middle school and high school students’ voices host the podcasts. “This is the classic stewardship

model,” Townley explains. “You give people the knowledge; with that knowledge comes ownership; and with ownership comes stewardship. We have kids volunteering to take care of these trails now, and that’s the

whole idea.” The innovative approach to inter-

pretation and youth involvement has Townley traveled to Washington, D.C. to collect the Beacon Award. The American Recreation Coalition  with the award, which recognizes in- novative use of technology in visitor services and recreation management. The project is only in its infancy