Instead of hitting the streets this summer, people in the Omaha-metro area have been traversing the trails.
In fact, trail traffic has increased at least 74% over last year, with some trails seeing even bigger increases. While the pandemic is surely the reason why people have been seeking more socially-distant ways of experiencing nature and exercising, the new habits may stick.
After all, trails offer beautiful spaces to get your steps in, plus they are a great alternative for active commuting. Trails also have been proven to improve your mental health – being surrounded by nature reduces stress, calms anxiety and leads to lower risks of depression.
And because they are set apart from vehicle traffic, trails offer a respite from air pollution caused by exhaust. With health-related topics on nearly everyone’s mind this year, Little Steps Cleaner Air took its footstep campaign to our area’s vast trail network this year.
The Nature of Air Pollution
The Little Steps Cleaner Air campaign is managed by the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) and funded by grants from the Federal Highway Administration and the Nebraska Environmental Trust. We have two simple messages: we have an air quality problem in the Omaha-metro area, and each of us has the power to help fix it.
Not only do we have the power, it can be easy to make small changes in our everyday lives to help improve our air quality.
For example, a little step might be using our trail system to go on small errands instead of driving.
The reality is, ground-level ozone levels hover close to the EPA’s unacceptable, or “non-attainment” level. We’ve had 14 moderate days between March and September this year. This was before the wildfire smoke arrived in our area, yet after the pandemic led to decreased vehicle traffic.
It’s our objective to have zero moderate or unhealthy days.
Stepping Up
To reach our objective, we need to make people in our area aware that we do, in fact, have a problem. This year, we wanted to gain people’s attention where they were at, and where they might be most receptive to the message.
We installed 20 temporary, vinyl footstep sets at different trail locations around Omaha and Council Bluffs. Each set has a fun poem, inspired by the iconic Burma Shave outdoor advertising signs. Big thank you to community partners Papio NRD and the City of Omaha Parks and Recreation Department for granting us permission to use the trails and for their expertise in determining where each location would have the most engagement.
Did you see the footsteps this summer? Post photos or the little steps you’re taking to reduce air pollution using #SharetheAir.
