Author: tulsauwc

This year we are hosting a Mobile Migration activity, symbolically representing the Tri-country migration of Monarchs from their northern breeding grounds up along the Canadian/US border south through the US west of the Rockies to their over-wintering grounds in the Oyamel fir forests of Central Mexico, a nearly 3000 mile journey!  We have chosen six gardens ranging from Oxley Nature Center as our northern-most point, down to the Audubon Society’s Flycatcher Trail in Jenks.  In between are some nifty locations of which many of you may be unaware.  Feel free to hop on the migration path at any Letter as you see fit.  Signage at each location will tell you something about various aspects of how the migration coincides with stages of a Monarch’s life cycle and the generational progression of their journey!  Enjoy and have fun!

A. Oxley Nature Center-tucked away in a corner of Mohawk Park, is the hidden jewel of the Tulsa Parks Department. Opened in 1980, it consists of 800 acres of mixed biomes with over 9 miles of trails.  Your quest here is to check out the Monarch Way Station next to the entrance to the Nature Center, and the small garden across the parking lot in Fawn Grove.  The more adventurous amongst you may opt for a short hike out into the prairie and around the pond.

B. Creek Nation Council Oak Tree Park–Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, this landmark represents the founding of the city of Tulsa by the Creek Nation after their removal from Alabama to Indian Territory via the Trail of Tears in 1836.  Find Tropical Milkweed, Blue Mistflower among other plants, and note the tall Pawpaw trees near the magnificent Burr Oak and the towering abstract sculpture, Morning Prayer representing the ceremonial fires of the Mvskoke People.  Pawpaws are the host plant for Zebra Swallowtail butterflies.  Across the street is Stickball Park, recognizing the traditional game of Stickball with a nice bronze sculpture.

C. The Gathering Place-this amazing 66 acre park won accolades from Time Magazine, USA Today and National Geographic shortly after opening in 2018.  It is truly a visual delight for the whole family, with fantastical playground equipment and thousands of carefully tended native plants and ornamental trees to delight the spirit.  Our focus here is the Wetlands Gardens area and the walking path along the north side of the lake where there are extensive plantings of Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), a particularly successful species for this region.

D. Crow Creek Meadow-a tiny, easy-to-overlook locale near Brookside, CCM currently has lots of Maximilian Sunflower and Partridge Pea, the host plant for Cloudless Sulphurs in buttery yellow bloom.  Swing by throughout the year to see what is in season!

E. Jewish Federation of Tulsa Food Bank Garden-this Star of David-shaped garden of 6,500 square feet has over 25 varieties of vegetables, and that isn’t counting the many pollinator species to increase the biodiversity of the site.  Produce grown here is donated to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma to provide fresh vegetables to the underserved in its hope to help “repair the world.”

F. Flycatcher Trail-A cooperative effort by the Tulsa Audubon Society and Jenks Public Schools, this gorgeous outdoor classroom and demonstration garden hosts a plethora of native plant species and the many pollinators drawn to these host and nectar sources.  QR codes help explain the seven different features to be found in this carefully designed garden.

A note from the TUWC; we have tried to put together a list with a little something for everyone who loves to visit the wilderness. We encourage you to visit our local book retailers and request these titles at the library!

Locals

Outsider When you’re busy trying to build a life, it’s easy to forget who you are. Your job, your home, all the things we’re expected to be can narrow your world, and ultimately quash your spirit. In Outsider, take a journey that hits the road across the West and explores mountainous wilderness. Meet the people who make this journey special. Take in the sights, sounds and smells of urban streets and wooded trails. And see how living the outdoor life not only revived a long-dormant love, but provided healing and direction when life went sideways.

Outsider is a collection of stories focused on the outdoors, finding connection to wilderness and getting to know the place where you live through running, hiking and travel. It asks the tough questions about everyday life, loss, faith and stepping out of your comfort zone. It’s part memoir, part travelogue, and all about exploring the world at the most visceral level – on foot and in the wild.

Tulsa River “The Tulsa River” is a book of stories, with 110 full-color photos, about the legend and lore of the Arkansas River at Tulsa. Former Mayor Robert J. LaFortune, also known as the grandfather of River Parks, wrote the foreword for the book. “The Tulsa River tells the story of our city’s struggle to live in harmony with our river, which lured mankind to this spot on earth, shaped our town, occasionally terrorized and often sustained us, and promises to gather our diverse peoples together,” author Ann Patton said. “We spent two years living with and learning about our river, and the more we learned, the more there was to explore and understand. This book is, simply, a labor of love for our river and our community.” It’s a natural and civic story of the river from its beginning millions of years ago in snow packs of the Colorado Rockies, as the river carved its way through the now-buried Tulsa Mountains and found its way to the Mississippi River in Arkansas. The story ends with the promise of A Gathering Place and River Parks, with Tulsans describing their diverse ideas for the future. “Frankly, this has been an adventure – to see if it is possible to do a coffee-table-style book with an abundance of passion but no budget,” Patton said.                                                    

The Outdoor Enthusiast

Reconstructing Conservation: Finding Common Ground In the 1990s, influenced by the deconstructionist movement in literary theory and trends toward revisionist history, a cadre of academics and historians led by William Cronon began raising provocative questions about ideas of wilderness and the commitments and strategies of the contemporary environmental movement. While these critiques challenged some cherished and widely held beliefs 

An American Idea: The making of the National Parks In An American Idea: The Making of the National Parks, Kim Heacox—winner of the Benjamin Franklin Nature Book Award, and twice winner of the Lowell Thomas Award for excellence in travel journalism—explores the development of our nation’s environmental consciousness. Heacox depicts the remarkable feats accomplished by dedicated people, from Lewis and Clark and Henry David Thoreau to John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt. Delving into original sources that date back to the 1600s, he pieces together an inspirational story peopled with such fascinating characters as young artist Thomas Moran, whose stunning landscapes of Yellowstone compelled Congress to deem it the first national park, and John Wesley Powell, the one-armed Civil War officer who first mapped the Grand Canyon.

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds: Eastern Region, Revised Edition Virtually every bird found in eastern North America is brought to life in this portable guide, an essential companion in the field and a staple in any birdwatcher’s library. It features a durable vinyl binding and brilliant full-color photographic identification pictures arranged for quick access and definitive text, including information on the bird’s voice, nesting habits, habitat, range, and interesting behaviors. Accompanying range maps; overhead flight silhouettes; sections on bird-watching, accidental species, and endangered birds make the National Audubon Society’s Field Guide to North American Birds the most comprehensive available.

*Note: the Eastern Edition generally covers states east of the Rocky Mountains, while the Western Edition covers the Rocky Mountain range and all the states to the west of it.

Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition  The new edition of this definitive guide reflects 25 years’ worth of changes in our knowledge of reptiles and amphibians. It includes descriptions of 122 newly recognized or recently established non-native species, updated maps, and new figures and photos. Color illustrations and drawings show key details for accurate identification. More than 100 color photographs and 322 color distribution maps accompany the species descriptions. Clear and concise species accounts provide key characteristics, similar species, habitats, and ranges, as well as subspecies, voice descriptions, and conservation status. This edition will be a crucial resource for professional and amateur herpetologists, naturalists, outdoor enthusiasts, and students.

The Nature Principal This New Nature Movement taps into the restorative powers of the natural world to boost mental acuity and creativity; promote health and wellness; build smarter and more sustainable businesses, communities, and economies; and ultimately strengthen human bonds. Supported by groundbreaking research, anecdotal evidence, and compelling personal stories, Louv offers renewed optimism while challenging us to rethink the way we live.

Saving Wild: Inspiration from 50 Leading Conservationists Full of inspiration and hope, this book is an antidote for anyone who suffers from ecological despair over the current state of our planets wildlife and wild places. Lori Robinson sought out fifty of the world’s leading conservationists, men, and women who have devoted their lives to save some of the most endangered species and the most threatened areas on earth. To each, she posed the question: How do you stay inspired? This book is the result. Among the people Robinson interviewed are wildlife filmmakers Beverly and Dereck Joubert, elephant experts Daphne Sheldrick, Cynthia Moss, and Joyce Poole, and ocean warrior Paul Watson. She spoke with Kristine McDivitt Tompkins, former CEO of Patagonia, and with Laura Turner, daughter of one of America’s most prominent conservationists. In the foreword, Jane Goodall explains that she finds hope in the indomitable human spirit “embodied in the people who tackle seemingly impossible problems, and refuse to give up, and who so often succeed — like the inspirational people in this book.”

In the Shadow of Man World-renowned primatologist, conservationist, and humanitarian Dr. Jane Goodall’s account of her life among the wild chimpanzees of Gombe is one of the most enthralling stories of animal behavior ever written. Her adventure began when the famous anthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey suggested that a long-term study of chimpanzees in the wild might shed light on the behavior of our closest living relatives. Accompanied by only her mother and her African assistants, she set up camp in the remote Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve in Tanzania. For months the project seemed hopeless; out in the forest from dawn until dark, she had but fleeting glimpses of frightened animals. But gradually she won their trust and was able to record previously unknown behavior, such as the use—and even the making— of tools, until then believed to be an exclusive skill of man. As she came to know the chimps as individuals, she began to understand their complicated social hierarchy and observed many extraordinary behaviors, which have forever changed our understanding of the profound connection between humans and chimpanzees. 

The Cyclist

Trail Solutions: IMBA’s guide to building sweet single track Trail Solutions is IMBA’s premier trailbuilding resource. This 272-page book combines cutting-edge trail design and construction techniques with proven fundamentals in a colorful, easy-to-read format. 256-page book that focuses on solutions to mountain biking management issues.

Bike Parks: IMBA’s guide to new school trails An exciting era of bike park development is underway. Today, bike parks are getting built in attractive, easily accessed locations, and municipalities are funding them at the same level as other types of recreational facilities. Modern bike parks are designed to appeal to every skill level, with enough variety to keep riders coming back for years. Well-considered plans for maintenance and regular improvements ensure that these parks will be attractive and fun to ride for the long term. IMBA has encountered a growing demand for information about how to plan, build and maintain successful bike parks, along with flow trails and other purpose-built bicycling facilities. This book examines all phases of planning, designing, building, and operating these facilities, with real-world success stories and multiple essays provided by leaders in the field. This resource offers 178 information-packed pages. It includes essays from more than two dozen expert contributors, and is loaded with 116 full-color photos, plus real-world bike park schematics, graphs, charts, and much more. It’s an essential resource for anyone planning a bike park project. It also makes a great coffee table book for park- and gravity-oriented riding enthusiasts. Topics include: Inspiring a community-based vision Fundraising strategies and partnerships Risk management and liability Design principles and concept documents Contracting and construction advice Maintenance and operations Book author Bob Allen is a Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee for his photojournalism and mountain bike advocacy work. Allen has helped document the evolution and growth of mountain biking for more than three decades.

The Divide: A 2700 Mile Search For Answers Reading this novel makes me want to attempt to conquer The Great Divide mountain bike ride. Enjoyed the book as the rider’s diary.

The Trail Runner

Nowhere Near First: Ultramarathon Adventures From The Back Of The Pack “Cory Reese writes with humor, humbleness and honesty. His story is both uplifting and real, and his tales of persistence and perseverance are sure to inspire, whether you’re at the front of the pack or nowhere near first. Regardless of the title, this book’s a winner!”~ Dean Karnazes, author of Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner

Running To Leadville: Life, Love, Loss and a 100 Mile Ultra Marathon Through The Colorado Rockies Running to Leadville is a story about a runner who finds himself and his love of running, only to lose nearly everything. The story captures the connection between life, love, loss and the battles within your soul. The central character, who perhaps as a result of an absent father just doesn’t fit in. While trying to find his place in the world he uncovers his love of long-distance running and exposes a hidden talent. During a long training run, his life, and his future takes a detour as a result of a violent and terrible twist of fate. Running to Leadville is also a story about the rigors of the ultra-endurance world. Set on the stage of one of America’s toughest Ultra-Marathons, the Leadville Trail 100, this race is affectionately known as “the race across the sky” introduces the reader to extreme adventure running. Set within the high-altitude terrain of the Colorado Rockies the Leadville 100 is not for the weak. The race covers elevations ranging from 9,200 to 12,600 feet above sea-level. The race and the mountains it covers demands respect. It is one thing to run 100-miles, it’s another to stay awake for over 24-hours and it’s exponentially harder to do all of this while above 10,000 feet. This story promises to take the readers to the highest peak of Hope Pass and the lowest of lows as doubting yourself emotionally and your ability to physically take the very next step. Mostly, Running to Leadville is a story about running the race of your life, while finding the truest form of you.

Running Home: A Memoir “A beautiful work of searching remembrance and searing honesty . . . Katie Arnold is as gifted on the page as she is on the trail. Running Home will soon join such classics as Born to Run and Ultramarathon Man as quintessential reading of the genre.”—Hampton Sides, author of On Desperate Ground and Ghost Soldiers

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen An epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? Isolated by Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons, the blissful Tarahumara Indians have honed the ability to run hundreds of miles without rest or injury. In a riveting narrative, award-winning journalist and often-injured runner Christopher McDougall sets out to discover their secrets. In the process, he takes his readers from science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultra-runners are pushing their bodies to the limit, and, finally, to a climactic race in the Copper Canyons that pits America’s best ultra-runners against the tribe. McDougall’s incredible story will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.

The Child

The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps Acclaimed picture book biographer Jeanette Winter has found her perfect subject: Jane Goodall, the great observer of chimpanzees. Follow Jane from her childhood in London watching a robin on her windowsill, to her years in the African forests of Gombe, Tanzania, invited by brilliant scientist Louis Leakey to observe chimps, to her worldwide crusade to save these primates who are now in danger of extinction, and their habitat. Young animal lovers and Winter’s many fans will welcome this fascinating and moving portrait of an extraordinary person and the animals to whom she has dedicated her life.

The Watcher was named a Best Book of the Year by the Boston Globe, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, and the Bank Street College of Education.

Bee & Me A little girl befriends a bee that takes her on a journey of discovery, revealing an action that every child can take to aid in conservation. In a wordless story told through enchanting illustrations, Bee & Me tells a tale of friendship and offers an introduction to the ecology of the natural world. Alison Jay’s original artwork brings the story gently to life, pointing out the sadness of a world without bees. An afterword makes clear to readers the important role these endangered insects play.

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World Do you remember to turn off the tap while you brush your teeth? How about using both sides of the paper when writing and drawing? Bold, child-friendly illustrations and die-cut pages will draw even the youngest listeners to this gentle reminder of the easy, everyday ways we can be kinder to the earth.

Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles (Children’s Story Books, Sea Turtle Gifts, Moon Books for Kids, Children’s Environment Books, Kid’s Turtle Books) “Delivers an eloquent environmental message while demonstrating how kids can change the world through teamwork and perseverance.” — School Library Journal A triumphant story of environmental activism, community, and friendship: Acclaimed activist Philippe Cousteau and renowned author Deborah Hopkinson team up to offer a story of the powerful difference young people can make in the world. Meet Viv, who has a new home and a new school by the sea and follow her as she finds her way in a new place and helps bring together a whole community to save the sea turtles of the South Carolina coast.

Kate, Who Tamed The Wind Award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon presents a young, rhythmic read-aloud about a girl who solves a windy problem with an environmentally sound solution: planting trees. A wild wind blows on the tippy-top of a steep hill, turning everything upside down for the man who lives there. Luckily, Kate comes up with a plan to tame the wind. With an old wheelbarrow full of young trees, she journeys up the steep hill to add a little green to the man’s life, and to protect the house from the howling wind. From award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon and whimsical illustrator Lee White comes a delightfully simple, lyrical story about the important role trees play in our lives, and caring for the world in which we live.

We planted a tree As the trees flourish, so do the families . . . while trees all over the world help clean the air, enrich the soil, and give fruit and shade. With a nod to Kenya’s successful Green Belt Movement, Diane Muldrow’s elegant text celebrates the life and hope that every tree—from Paris to Brooklyn to Tokyo—brings to our planet. Now in paperback, this book can be enjoyed by children in classrooms everywhere.

The Parent

How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature “In a time when the connection between humans and the rest of nature is most vulnerable, Scott offers parents and teachers a book of encouragement and knowledge, and to children, the priceless gift of wonder.”—Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle

The average North American child now spends about seven hours a day staring at screens and mere minutes engaged in unstructured play outdoors. Yet recent research indicates that experiences in nature are essential for healthy growth. Regular exposure to nature can help relieve stress, depression, and attention deficits. It can reduce bullying, combat obesity, and boost academic scores. Most critical of all, abundant time in natural settings seems to yield long-term benefits in kids’ cognitive, emotional, and social development. How to Raise a Wild Child is a timely and engaging antidote, offering teachers, parents, and other caregivers the necessary tools to engender a meaningful, lasting connection between children and the natural world.

Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children “Angela Hanscom is a powerful voice for balance.”—Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods

In this important book, a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook shows how outdoor play and unstructured freedom of movement are vital for children’s cognitive development and growth, and offers tons of fun, engaging ways to help ensure that kids grow into healthy, balanced, and resilient adults.

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder

“I like to play indoors better ’cause that’s where all the electrical outlets are,”

reports a fourth-grader.

Never before in history have children been so plugged in-and so out of touch with the natural world. In this groundbreaking new work, child advocacy expert Richard Louv directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today’s wired generation-he calls it nature deficit-to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as rises in obesity, Attention Deficit Disorder (Add), and depression. Some startling facts: By the 1990s the radius around the home where children were allowed to roam on their own had shrunk to a ninth of what it had been in 1970. Today, average eight-year-olds are better able to identify cartoon characters than native species, such as beetles and oak trees, in their own community. The rate at which doctors prescribe antidepressants to children has doubled in the last five years, and recent studies show that too much computer use spells trouble for the developing mind. Nature-deficit disorder is not a medical condition; it is a description of the human costs of alienation from nature. This alienation damages children and shapes adults, families, and communities. There are solutions, though, and they’re right in our own backyards. Last child in the Woods is the first book to bring together cutting-edge research showing that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development-physical, emotional, and spiritual. What’s more, nature is a potent therapy for depression, obesity, and Add. Environment-based education dramatically improves standardized test scores and grade point averages and develops skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making. Even creativity is stimulated by childhood experiences in nature.

The well known favorites

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER

At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone. Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

Into the Wild In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter.  How McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild.

Wilderness, The Gateway To The Soul: Spiritual Enlightenment Through Wilderness Could wilderness be our only hope?As our culture removes itself from the natural world, something very essential has been lost. But there is still one place we can go to get it back. Come along on a spiritual journey, away from a chaotic world of details, obligations, smartphones and noisy machines, to a place that is unspoiled, untamed, and free.

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America–majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaining guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way–and a couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in).

Sixty Meters to Anywhere “A searingly original testament to the transcendent power of wild spaces, and the redemptive radiance of the American West.”–Kevin Fedarko, author of The Emerald Mile
When Brendan Leonard moved to the West at age 23, he was a mess. He had a tenuous grip on sobriety, only six months after his last drink had landed him in yet another jail cell. It was the final mistake in a long list that included multiple arrests, wrecked cars, broken bones, fistfights, and ruined relationships. In Montana, he took his first steps into the Rocky Mountains, unwittingly beginning a decade-long obsession with climbing and a journey that would take him all over the West and Europe. Written with unflinching honesty and vulnerability, Sixty Meters to Anywhere is the memoir of a barstool storyteller who left the bar and found adventure, redemption, and a life that almost never happened.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Last night the citizens of Tulsa got to see the first ideas of what Turkey Mountain can hope to look like going forward.

While we understand that as of yet this plan is a dream with zero funding committed, we are delighted with what we are seeing. Turkey Mountain as we currently know it is being left largely untouched by programming.

The careful consideration from Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates’ team working together with many experts including Progressive Trail Design, assures us that we are in the hands of respected trail builders and conservationists. As each piece of this plan was unveiled we were pleased to see how much input from the community was utilized.

By incorporating the other regional parks this is a chance for our Urban Wilderness experience to expand! With the revitalization of Bales Park to house picnic facilities and a community green space for performances, this gives park users some of the things they have wanted to see on Turkey Mountain Proper while not detracting from the more intensive recreational trail users.

We are happy to see the inclusion of accessibility options for those of all ability levels to bring the wilderness experience to users of all walks of life.

Since the early days of the TUWC forming, Mooser Creek has been a big concern. We are thrilled to see the health of this creek take a prime role as it is one of the last natural, pristine streams in Tulsa County. The inclusion of many suggestions from the RD Flanagan study is a wonderful thing to see.

We hope the citizens of Tulsa are as enthusiastic as we are about the opportunities this plan could hold for our beloved Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness. An urban wilderness park of this caliber can only boost the appeal of Tulsa to live, work and play!

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One of the last things we want to think about on the trail is what we’d do if confronted with an unwelcome or hostile person. You’re out there for a run, a ride or a hike, looking for exercise or a retreat away from daily life. A confrontation is not on the agenda.

But the fact is this: The world has a lot of good people in it, but there are some bad ones, too. And sometimes they make their way to our trails.

How do you deal with a situation like this? Here are some ideas:

Keep your car clutter free.

The less you have to fiddle about with at the vehicle the quicker you can get on the trails and once done can get home. Most people are at their most vulnerable while fussing with the clutter that can pile up in your car. This is when you drop your guard. A great side effect to a clean car; if there is nothing in the car to steal thieves tend to move on.

Hit the trail with a friend.

The old cliché is that there is safety in numbers. But it’s also true. A person with bad intentions is much less likely to bother a group of people.

When you’re solo, be situationally aware.

We love to lose ourselves in the moment when we’re in nature, but it’s wise to keep your eyes and ears open. Be aware of other people. That way you don’t get surprised.

Ditch the earbuds.

Music and podcasts are great on a long ride or run, but the problem with that is you take one of your senses out of the picture. This is especially important on the trail, where you might not hear a bike coming behind you, or people around the bend. Earbuds even at a low volume put you at risk for an accidental collision with other trail users, and certainly leaves you more vulnerable to people with unsavory motives.

Be purposeful in your movement.

You’ve got places to be, goals to achieve, a pace to keep. Show that. People are less likely to bother someone who is moving down the trail with a sense of purpose and confidence.

Mans best friend is a great body guard.

If you have a dog that likes to run or hike trail with you, bring it along. The presence of a dog can be a good deterrent, especially if it’s a bigger dog.

Tell Someone Your Plans

Before hitting the trail, let someone know where you’re going, your planned route, and how long you expect to be out there. That way there is a person out there who knows something could be wrong if you don’t check in.

That way there is a person out there who knows something could be wrong if you don’t check in.

Don’t be afraid to offend someone.

Listen to that prickly feeling on the back of your neck. If there are people on the trail who make you feel uneasy, reroute to an area that is more open or heavily trafficked. The Yellow and Blue trails on Turkey Mountain tend to have more people, and the Powerline Trail is wide open and busier than some of the more obscure trails. Find your way back to one of the trailhead parking lots.

Bring your phone.

Cell service is readily available at Turkey Mountain, Chandler Park and most other trail systems in the area, and a simple phone call or text could be vital to alerting friends or the authorities if something is amiss. You can use your smartphone camera to document unwanted interactions, which in turn can be used if the incident is one in which law enforcement needs to be called.

Consider personal protection.

Plenty of hand-held devices like pepper spray exist that can be easily carried. Be familiar with how to use it and bring it with you.

If faced with a potential assailant, leave the area as quickly as possible.

Make noise: Shout, yell for help, etc. If a physical confrontation is unavoidable, fight back. Strike at sensitive areas like the eyes, groin, nose and throat, using your fists, elbows and knees. You might be in the fight for your life, so there are no rules (if vomiting or soiling yourself keeps you alive do it). An attacker will be more likely to give up if a potential victim becomes difficult to handle. Whatever the outcome, alert police as soon as you can, and be ready to give a description of the assailant, what happened and where.

All of these ideas can help keep you safe. But it’s only one side of the coin. As a trail user, there are ways you should handle yourself to prevent the perception of being a threat. Some thoughts on that:

Remember that other trail users are there for a reason and might not be open to having their run, ride or hike interrupted, even if your intentions are benign.

A simple “hello,” a wave or a nod are good ways to acknowledge other trail users in an unobtrusive way.

If your greeting, wave or nod is not acknowledged, don’t make a thing of it.

Someone on a hard run or ride might be concentrating on the workout. Don’t take it as being disrespectful. Just move on and do your thing. If the person wants to reciprocate a greeting, they will. If they don’t, it’s their choice – and their right. Leave it be.

Be mindful of trail users who are solo.

They may be less welcome to talking to people they don’t know on the trail. Give them their space.

And this should go without saying, but here it is: The trail is not a place to pick up dates.

Any amorous advances toward someone you don’t know on the trail very likely to be rejected, and may be perceived as threatening. Save your game for more appropriate places; the trail isn’t it.

One last thing, just to wrap things up: There are remarkably few bad interactions and incidents occurring on our trail systems, especially given the high number of users and the location of the trail system in the middle of a city. Turkey Mountain has been a safe place to go, even for solo users. But because people are involved, there is always the potential for bad actors to show up. Be aware of your surroundings and take the precautions you believe to be appropriate, and also be mindful of how you might be perceived by others you meet on the trail.