Ontario Trails News - Saugeen Valley opens horse trails, and all about Trailhead Ontario 2016, Trailhead North and Trailhead Georgian Bay

Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority to promote horse trail riding!

PRESS RELEASE

For Release:  Immediately
Date:               March 2, 2016
Subject:          Horse Camping at Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area

  

SVCA Chomping at the Bit to Provide Horse Camping!

Saugeen Conservation is planning a big change this year for Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area, located in central Bruce County, Municipality of Saugeen Shores. Horse camping will be featured at the park, a first-time venue for this part of Ontario.

“We’re very excited about this new venture”, stated Luke Charbonneau, Chair of Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority.  “We’ve had some difficulties over the past few years attracting new campers to the park and we think this whole new venue may provide some incredible opportunities for horse enthusiasts and put Saugeen Bluffs back on the map”, Charbonneau continued.

“We put some feelers out first to see if there would be a market for this type of thing and the response was incredible”, stated Wayne Brohman, General Manager / Secretary –Treasurer for the SVCA. “There are only two other campgrounds in the province that offer horse camping and both are located in Eastern Ontario.”

Saugeen Bluffs offers scenic vistas and approximately 200 regular campsites.  The property winds along the Saugeen River and is a regular stop-over for canoeists and fishermen.  There is a Camp Store, kayak and canoe rentals, shower building, laundromat, a scenic look-out, trails and more. The horse camping will be featured in Campbell Campground, one of the group campgrounds.

“The development of a horse friendly campground is an exciting addition to the great experiences available across BruceGreySimcoe.  Bringing your horse along on your vacation isn’t something that’s available in very many places across Ontario and we think that being able to explore parts of the Region on horseback will encourage many new visitors to come vacation here”, stated Bill Sullivan, Executive Director of BruceGreySimcoe Tourism or RT07.

Staff have already begun marking out trails on the 300 acre property that will provide horse riders (campers and day users), with some great trail riding opportunities.

Horse camping is just one recommendation included in a new Business / Marketing Plan, developed by staff this year.  “In addition to the horse camping, the Plan recommends other improvements,” reported Charbonneau, “including some new signage, new management for the Camp Store, RV rentals, the conversion of one of the main buildings into an Activity Centre, the provision of WiFi services and much more. We’re very fortunate in that we have an incredible ‘volunteer’ base to work with in making this come together, including our valued seasonals.  I’m very optimistic that we can bring some real positive changes to the park for 2016.” concluded Charbonneau.

The SVCA will also be hosting a Public Open House at the park on Sunday, May 15^th from 1-4pm.  Bring the whole family out to check out the park, hike some trails, take in the look-out and get a personalized tour.

A Grand Opening for the Horse Camp will be featured on Saturday, June 4.  Horse-drawn wagon rides, live entertainment, vendors, equine product sales and more!

For more information go to www.svca.on.ca

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For more information, please contact
Shannon Wood
Manager of Communications
Saugeen Conservation
1078 Bruce Rd. #12, Box 150
Formosa, ON N0G 1W0
519-367-3040 ext. 229 or s.wood@svca.on.ca

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Trailhead Ontario - Renfrew 2016 - Ontario Federation of Agriculture to attend


We are pleased to report that the OFA has agreed to present at Trailhead Ontario. http://trailheadontario2016.com

Trailhead Ontario Itinerary - June 20, 21, 22, 2016 (we are adding a third day for Eastern Canada Trails Training the only federally sponsored trail training in Eastern Canada this year - provided by IMBA Canada)

MORE TO COME!!!!

Monday
8:30-9:00AM	Registration	Coffee Served
9:00-9:15AM	Welcome remarks	Dignitaries
9:15-10:00AM	Presentation	Ontario Landowners Association (Invited)
10:00-10:30AM	Presentation	Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization
10:30-10:45AM	Break	Coffee Break
10:45-11:15AM	Presentation	Petawawa - the development of our Regional Trail Association
11:15-11:45AM	Presentation	Adirondack to Algonquin Trail Development
11:45-12:15PM	Presentation	Parks of the St. Lawrence
12:15-1:00 PM	Lunch
1:00-2:00PM	Presentation	Updates on the Trails Act and the Ontario Trails Strategy with the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport
2:00-2:30PM	Presentation	City of Ottawa Trails
2:30-2:45PM	Break	Coffee Break
2:45-3:15PM	Presentation	Trans Canada Trail Ontario
3:15-3:45PM	Presentation	National Capital Commission
3:45-4:15PM	Presentation	Ontario Federation of Agriculture (Invited)
4:15-4:45PM	Presentation	Understanding and Preventing Lyme Disease
4:45-5:15PM	Presentation	Sentiers Prescott Russell and Glengarry Trails
5:15-6PM	Networking	Cash Bar
6PM - 9PM	Dinner & Keynote Speaker	Federal Climate Change Initiatives and Trails
Tuesday
8:30 – 9:00AM	Registration	Coffee Served
9:00-9:15 AM	Welcome remarks	Dignitaries - Madawaska Valley
9:15-9:45AM	Presentation	Madawaska Valley and Township Trail Developments
10:00-10:30AM	Plenary Session	Principles of Trail Risk Management
10:30-10:45AM	Coffee Break
10:45-11:30AM	Plenary Session	Trails Risk Management - How to Say Yes to Trails
Noon-1PM	Lunch	Networking Lunch
1:00-2:00PM	Plenary Session	Water Trails - Developing trails for Use
2:00-2:45PM	Plenary Session	Ottawa River-Keeper - programs and plans for development
2:45-3:00PM	Break
3:00-3:30PM	Plenary Session	Hunting and Fishing Trail Use of MNRF Lands
3:30-4:00PM	Plenary Session	Mattawa Trail Development
4:00-4:30PM	Plenary Session	First Nation Tourism and Trails
4:30PM	Wrap-up and Next Steps	Trailhead Canada 2017!

https://trailheadontario2016.com

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Trailhead North - Marathon

Trailhead North Symposium Itinerary - April 20, 21, 2016

Event Outdoor Hike with Pic River First Nation - REGISTER

Wednesday			Presenters
8:30 - 9:00AM	Registration
9:00-9:30AM	Welcome remarks	Coffee Served	Mayor Dumas, Chief Michano and Liz Michano
9:30-10:30AM	Marathon, Pic River and our Northern Trails	Sponsor	Bob Hancherow, and Chief Duncan Michano Pic River FN
10:30-10:45AM	Break
10:45-12:30AM	Presentation	Parks Experiences - Pukaskwa National Park and Neys Provincial	Roel Teunissen, Park Planning, Ontario Parks. Sharon Hayes, Pukaskwa National Park.
	Presentation	Group of Seven Trail	Kirsten Spence, Quercwood Consulting
	Presentation	Northern Ontario Experiences	Carole Caputo and Paul Pepe, Director of Tourism Thunder Bay
12:30-1:00 PM	Lunch
1:00 - 1:30PM	Presentation	Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport	Jim Antler and Carol Oitment
1:30 - 2:00PM	Presentation	Trans Canada Trail	Mike Goodyear, Trail Director Trans Canada Trail
2:00-2:30PM	Presentation	Path of the Paddle and Trail Auditing	Carrie Nolan, Executive Director POPA
2:30-2:45PM	Break	Trans Canada Trail Ontario - Sponsor
2:45-3:15PM	Presentation	Importance of Trails for Northern Ontario Tourism	David McLaughlan and Susan Forrest, NOT
3:15-3:45PM	Presentation	World Class Cross Country - Destination Marathon	Marathon X-Country Ski, Dr. David Guiliano
3:45-4:15PM	Presentation	Northern Snowmobile Trails	Dennis Burns with Craig Colbourne
4:15-4:45 PM	Presentation	OAC - Ontario Access Coalition - Places to Climb	Jana Wells
	Break
5:30-6PM	Networking	Cash Bar
6:00PM - 9:00PM	Dinner & Keynote Speaker	Trails, Travels and Experiences, A personal perspective	Michael Haynes, Trails Ambassador and Author
	Silent Auction
Thursday
8:30 - 9AM	Registration	Coffee Served
9:00-9:15 AM	Welcome remarks		Kirsten Spence, Patrick Connor
9:15-10AM	Presentation	Funding for Trails with NOHFC, FedNor and Ontario Trillium Foundation	Maureen Brophy OTF,  Sean Irwin NOHFC, and Jamie Taylor FedNor
10:00-10:15AM	Break	Coffee Break
10:15-11:15 AM	Presentation	Aboriginal Tourism Ontario Summit Report	Kevin Eshkawkogan, Aboriginal Tourism Summit
11:15-Noon	Presentation	Hunting and Fishing Trail Use of MNRF Lands	Greg Farrant, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters with Greg Rivard
Noon-1PM	Lunch	Networking Lunch
1:00-2:00PM	Presentation	Outfitters and Tripping - How to Get North	Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership
2:00-3:00PM	Presentation	Voyageur Trail - Developments along the Trail	Carole Blacquiere, President VTA
3:00-3:45PM	Presentation	Outdoor Recreation - the Tourism Experience	Dr. Harvey Lemelin, Lakehead University
3:45-$:00PM	Wrap-up and Next Steps		Kirsten Spence, Patrick Connor

As at 11/2/2016 Program content subject to change based on availability.

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Trailhead Georgian Bay

May 11th, Killarney Park Lodge.

Wednesday			Presenters
8:30 - 9:00AM	Registration
9:00-9:30AM	Welcome remarks	Coffee Served	Kirsten Spence, Patrick Connor
9:30-10:30AM	About The Georgian Bay Coast Trail	Sponsor	GBCT Board
10:30-10:45AM	Break
10:45-12:15AM	Presentation	Killarney Provincial Park - A Lead Partner in Development	Killarney Provincial Park
	Presentation	Friends of Killarney	Friends of Killarney
	Presentation	Trail Experiences - Explorer's Edge	James Murphy, RTO12
	Presentation	Auditing and Planning our Route	Niall Lobely
12:15-1:00 PM	Lunch
1:00 - 2:00PM	Presentation	Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport	Carol Oitment
	Presentation	Indigenous Peoples Economic Development	Local First Nations
2:00-2:30PM	Presentation	Trail Inventories Georgian Bay Partners	Kirsten Spence
2:30-2:45PM	Break	Trans Canada Trail Ontario - Sponsor	Al McPherson
2:45-3:15PM	Presentation	Importance of Variety of Trails	GBBR and GBCR
3:15-3:45PM	Presentation	Great Lakes Guardian Plant and Trail Inventory	Henvy Inlet and Ontario Trails
3:45-4:15PM	Presentation	Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry	Local MNRF
4:15-4:45 PM	Presentation	Relations with Local Landowners	Georgian Bay Landowners Association
4:45 - 5:15	Wrap-up	Thanks	GBCT

As at 11/2/2016 Program content subject to change based on availability.

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