Participation in this study is voluntary and you can drop out at any time without penalty. In addition, you are not required to respond to any item(s) you do not wish to answer.
You must be at least 18 years of age, and by continuing with this survey, you consent to participate in this study but may withdraw at any time.
The rest of the fine print:
This interactive mapping tool is being administered on behalf of the DCNR and Michaux State Forest by the SU Center for Land Use and Sustainability (CLUS) under the direction of Dr. Claire Jantz, director of the CLUS and professor in the Geography-Earth Science Department. Users can use the tool to identify important places, trail issues, user conflicts, ideas, or propose access points. This information will be used to inform the development and implementation of a sustainable trail plan.
Responses will be kept anonymous. Social PinPoint gives users the option to include names and emails, but it is not required for participation. If a user leaves a comment, Social PinPoint does not display the user’s name or email (if provided). Comments are automatically moderated using artificial intelligence so that any profanity or aggressive language is not posted. The investigator will be monitoring use of the tool throughout the open comment period, and reserves the right to remove any inflammatory comments. Any user-posted photos require manual review by the investigator before publishing.
The investigator will strip any potential identifying information from the data file prior to any analysis being conducted. No individual responses will be included in any presentations, reports, or publicly available information products. You are encouraged to use this interactive map on your own personal computer, not a public one, to avoid potentially compromised computers that have tracking malware embedded in them that could be used to identify the user. You should avoid leaving the tool open if you use a public computer or a computer that others may have access to, as this could compromise your anonymity. You are also advised to clear your browser cache and page history after completing any digitally administered survey.
Contact information: Dr. Claire Jantz, Principal Investigator, cajant@ship.edu, 717-477-1399 Dr. Todd Whitman, IRB Chair, IRB@ship.edu, 717-477-1654
Public Enagagement
Welcome and thank you for your participation!
This project focuses on about 6,000 acres of Michaux State Forest around Mountain Creek that already is very popular as a destination for outdoor recreation including hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The existing trail system in the Mountain Creek is being evaluated and DCNR intends to improve it so that it’s a great experience for users, is resilient to climate change and weather hazards such as flooding, and that it continues to be a home for a diversity of plants and wildlife.
Improvements being considered include trailheads and parking; a signage plan that improves navigability and management; trail construction and rehabilitation by both managers and volunteers; and the elimination of unsustainable trails including minimizing impacts to streams and streamside areas.
This interactive mapping tool is part of a public engagement initiative to learn how the area is used, and to gather ideas for improving the outdoor experience for all users, while protecting the other values of the forest including clean water and habitat for plants and wildlife.