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By Huck DeVenzio Arch Wood Protection

Itr/HEN people say that someone gets "walked all V Y over." it is rarely complimentary. But when a structure is walked all over, it can be very beneficial for the walker and for the area traversed.

Wood walkways convey people to nature, increasing appreciation for the natural environment and, in many cases, protecting that environment. They enable people to get to places they might not otherwise see, and they limit destruction from foot traffic.

Take, for instance, a crossover stretching from a parking lot, over sand dunes, to the seashore. Not only does the walkway make it easier for sunbathers to reach the beach, but it concentrates traffic flow and helps preserve vegetation that anchors the dunes that shield inland property from high seas.

Another example is a walkway through a wetland. By constructing a solid path above the normal water level, vis- itors can see wildlife and hear nature's sounds without slogging through a fragile environment.

A footbridee on a nature trail allows nature-lovers to takes less energy to produce than comparable building materials; it sequesters carbon, thus reducing greenhouse gases; and its light weight means that it can often be installed with lower-impact construction methods. And, it's a renewable resource. cross a gully without dislodging soil and plantlife and causing erosion.

But even advocates of the environmental features of treated wood often miss a subtle benefit from such structures: walkways, crossovers, and platforms enhance public appreciation for the natural world.

Once, on a trip to the Grand Canyon, I heard people complain about big crowds and the urbanization of the park. But one nature-lover had a very different perspective.

And one more example, a less obvious situation, is a walkway through an often-visited forest. A walkway keeps people on a hard path and prevents harmful soil compaction around particular trees that may be especially old, large, unusual, delicate, or worthy of crowds for other reaSONS.

Usually these walkways are constructed of woodpreservative-treated wood for durability. Treated wood is

He said that he hoped more people visited Grand Canyon. You can't spend time at the Canyon and not be awed' he said, and the more people who are awed by nature, the more people who will work to protect it.

Treated wood structures help people-of all ages and plentiful, easy to work, and has an appearance suited to natural settings. It also resists deterioration from termites and fungal decay for decades. Additional life-cycle attributes have been getting increasing attention: treated wood abilities-become admirers of nature.

TREATED wood bridges allow people to see natural areas wilh a minimum of effort and a minimum ol impact.

Treated wood platforms in Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp enable canoeists to camp in the midst of alligators, cypress trees, water lilies, and great blue herons. Seeing the reflection of red alligator eyes at night can be a lifealtering experience.

Viewing platforms and observation towers allow people to be inspired by scenic views or to add migratory birds to their life lists.

Walkways at Wildemess on Wheels in Colorado, and at other projects like it, provide access for wheelchair-bound visitors. The organization's motto is "No one should be left out when it comes to experiencing a wilderness environ- ment." An 8-ft.-wide boardwalk follows a Rocky Mountain trout stream, offering a close-up look at nature and an opportunity to enjoy nature-watching and fishing.

COLORADO project has docks, picnic areas, and walkway that accommodate passing wheelchairs in a forested mountain area.

At zoos throughout North America, families can experience the joy of viewing exotic creatures. What often assists them? Wood walkways. Treated wood walkways in zoos, botanical gardens, arboretums, and city parks provicle some of the same value as walkways in more remote locations. In addition to walkways, treated wood is often used in parks for animal enclosures, benches, fences, picnic tables, sign posts, and other items where a natural but long-lasting building material is desired.

The choice of treated wood provides environmental advantages over alternative materials, while the installation of wood structures can protect habitats and increase respect for nature.

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Various species of wood can be effectively pressuretreated. Usually the species available are those growing in the region-southern pine in the South and East, red pine or ponderosa pine across the North, Douglas fir or hem-fir out West. All of these species are plentiful and grown on managed timberlands. They have slightly different strength values.

Treating is done at plants where a preservative is driven into wood under pressure. Several different waterborne preservatives may used. Most rely on copper as a primary pesticide and include a co-biocide to protect against copper-tolerant fungi. Treating companies sell their products to building material outlets. Nearly every lumber dealer stocks preserved wood.

In selecting pressure treated wood, a specifier should consider the type of wood desired (i.e., round poles, timbers, dimension lumber), the grade of lumber (higher grades have fewer knots and other imperfections but usually cost more), and the intended use (e.g., above ground use requires less preservative than wood that will be embedded in the ground or immersed in salt water). To minimize warping and provide other benefits, treated wood can be purchased that is re-dried after treatment or contains builtin water repellent.