Saturday, September 11, 2010

Green / Environmental Event: Conservation Leaders Meet at Annual Gathering, Ontario Land Trust Alliance "Expanding Horizons" (Oct 28 - 30)

"The Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) is proud to announce its ninth Annual Gathering, “Expanding Horizons”, celebrating the Ontario land trust movement and the power of partnerships. The conference runs October 28-30, 2010, centered at the Holiday Inn in Peterborough, Ontario."

Sarah Thomson releases “Bike City” Plan | Biking Toronto

"Today saw mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson release her bicycle transportation policy, dubbed Bike City.

Sarah and/or her team has done their homework on this to attract people who love biking… proposing a good chunk of new cycling infrastructure features (ie. bike boxes, bicycle boulevardes, etc) and physically separate bikelanes on University Ave, Richmond Street and Adelaide street.

They have also thought of the non-cycling part of the population (some of whom are hostile to new bikelanes, especially in the old boroughs of the city)… proposing that instead of bikelanes on arterial roads outside of downtown, sharrows are put in instead… with bikelanes implemented as cycling levels rise in that area.� This not only solves the complaint of “no one uses the bikelanes” but allows for expansion of a downtown network as that network draws in riders from outside the core."

Parks, Forestry and Recreation : Trails - Rehabilitation & Volunteer Opportunities

"As the City of Toronto grows and population increases, the pressure on our natural areas from recreational use intensifies. Toronto 's trail network is a popular destination for mountain bikers, hikers, runners, dog-walkers, school and camp groups, nature enthusiasts, and other users. Trail rehabilitation projects are required to repair the damage caused by the daily wear and tear of such recreational use.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Landowner concerned about unauthorized ATV use - Amherstburg Echo - Ontario, CA

"Unauthorized ATV and off-road vehicle use has a local landowner concerned about public safety.

Construction on the Amherstburg Solar Park located on the corner of North Side Road and Concession 2 North is underway but the landowner Loris Collavino is concerned about those who are using the land without permission.


Collavino said there have been numerous people trespassing on the land and that is something he wants to avoid particularly when it is an active construction site. He has observed people using dirtbikes and ATVs to jump off of mounds of dirt while others have made sharp turns in front of moving trucks and construction equipment."

So is the OTC! That's why we introduced the Trillium Trail Pass as a means of controlling access and ensuring trail development. For a copy of the OTC business plan, approved by trail users in May 2007, e-mail ontrails@gmail.com

Wrapping up Ranger’s work - Bancroft This Week - Ontario, CA

"During the month of August the Ontario Stewardship Rangers completed a variety of jobs in the surrounding area.

For the first week of August we assisted with clearing, cleaning and beautifying trails as well as cleaning up the remnants of the Rockhound Gemboree. A huge part of the success of the event is the volunteers that set up and take down the resources necessary for the event to run."

Do you have a trail champion running for council? We'd like to know about trail friendly candidates. ontrails@gmail.com

Take the Lane: Is there a cycling champion running for your council?

"At 2 p.m. Friday, nominations will close across Ontario for this year's municipal elections. Will there be anyone in your community who will be a champion for cycling?

I wonder about that as the clock ticks down."

In fact Ontario Trails asks - is there a Trails Champion?

Area's trails celebrated - Brantford Expositor - Ontario, CA

"A free hike and bike event takes place in Brantford on Saturday to celebrate the area's trails.

In conjunction with Ontario Heritage Trust's Trails Open Ontario, Tourism Brantford is promoting a local event featuring a 20-kilometre bike ride and a 2.5-kilometre hike.

The bike ride begins at noon and will start and finish at the picnic shelter located at Gilkison Flats, at Gilkison and Mount Pleasant streets."

For a list of trails, open 24/7, see http://ontariotrails.on.ca

Kingston far from a cycling utopia - The Whig Standard - Ontario, CA

"Many thanks to the Whig-Standard for the informative article 'Trailblazers with a vision propose path along Cataraqui,' Sept. 5. Thanks also to Ms. Kathy Horton, Edward and Mary Farrar, and all the other volunteers who do so much for the city.

As an avid, all-season cycling commuter, I was intrigued by Neal Unsworth's assertion that 'Kingston is second only to Victoria, B.C., in terms of commuter cycling.'"

GuelphMercury.com - News - Guelph intrigued by bicycle-friendly status

"Guelph may soon be “officially” recognized as a bicycle friendly community.

The League of American Bicyclists last month launched its Bicycle Friendly Community Program in Ontario on a trial basis. Communities can apply to be recognized as a bronze, silver, gold or platinum bicycle friendly community."

For a full list of cycling opportunities in Ontario see:http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-activities/cycling---roads-paths/

For a view at on-road cycling places in Ontario see: http://www.ontariotrailsmap.com/ontariotrails.html# and select Cycling - Roads and Paths

The Sudbury Star - Ontario, CA | UR Sudbury

"Council 4435 (Noelville) is still accepting registrations for this weekend's 2nd Annual ATV RALLY. The registration booths will be open from 7:30am to 9:30am. Bring the gang and enjoy the day in the beautiful French River area. Purchase of tickets($40.00) include: rally, chances at draws, with prizes totalling over $15,000.00, a spaghetti supper and an evening of entertainment provided by BOYS NIGHT OUT. A mixed slo-pitch ball tournament will also be held during the day, so come out and support our charity event. For more information, contact, jefflafortune1@hotmail.com"

For a full list of ATV trails in Ontario see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-activities/atving/

For a look at a provincial representation of ATV access points see: http://www.ontariotrailsmap.com/ontariotrails.html?cat=1&icon=atving.png

New Recreational Activities in National Parks, National Historic Sites and National Marine Conservation Areas

"Offering visitors a variety of opportunities to experience national protected heritage places through recreational activities is one way that the Parks Canada Agency is bringing its mandate of protection, education and experience to life.
Over the past two years, five activities have been assessed at the national level with the collaboration of various stakeholder groups. The following activities could soon become part of the menu of activities offered in national parks, national historic sites or national marine conservation areas:
mountain biking,traction kiting (kite-surfing, kite-boarding), guided interpreted tours including canopy walks, zip lines, via ferrata, and elements of aerial parks, community gardening and hang gliding and paragliding."

For a full listing of park trails in Ontario see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/

Excursions - BARRIE OUTRIGGER CANOE CLUB - Barrie, Ontario, Canada

"BOCC has developed a relationship with the Lahaina Canoe Club, based on the shores of West Maui, HI. We will be sending a group of athletes to Lahaina in 2011 for an incredible week of paddling, culture and adventure in one of the world's most beautiful places. We will be actively fundraising for this incredible outrigger excursion. Costs to be determined."

For a full list of canoe/kayak options see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-activities/canoeing-kayaking/

For a map of watertrail access points see: http://www.ontariotrailsmap.com/ontariotrails.html?cat=3&icon=canoeing.png

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Fall Colour Vantage Points In Ontario Parks � Parks Blog

"The Ontario Parks Fall Colour Report is LIVE at http://www.parkreports.com/fall/. Check the report often. It is updated as colours change.

For a full range of trails, in provincial parks, conservation authorities and 1700 other places check out: http://ontariotrails.on.ca

Traffic complaint turns into a drug bust - News - By EMC News Frontenac Local Community News

"On Aug. 29 the Frontenac Ontario Provincial Police investigated a fatal ATV collision on Billy Green Road. The victim had been out cutting wood in the area but had not returned home when expected. A friend of the family went out looking for him at the request of a family member. After a considerable search up and around the local roads the victim and his ATV were located well off the road at a curve and down a steep embankment."

Before going out check out and follow the guidelines at: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/atv-smart/

Places to Ride Your ATV in Ontario

Make sure that you also check out - http://www.ontariotrailsmap.com/ontariotrails.html#, select ATVing and you'll see the current trails on our list. Stop back because we add new trails all the time

Eastern Ontario Model Forest - FREE Fomes Root Rot Workshops for Forestry Professionals - EOMF General News - All News - Eastern Ontario Model Forest

"The Regional Forest Health Network in partnership with the Eastern Ontario Model Forest, South Nation Conservation, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and United Counties of Prescott-Russell will be hosting two workshops on *Fomes Root Rot (Heterobasidium annosum). Both workshops will be oriented towards forestry professionals. Come and learn how to identify and manage this destructive invasive pathogen."

Endurance horse race slated for this weekend | Fort Frances Times Online

"The inaugural Black Fly Express, an endurance riding competition, will take place this Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 11 and 12) north of Dearlock.
“This will be the first-ever sanctioned AERC [American Endurance Riding Conference] ride, probably in Northern Ontario,” enthused organizer Rachel Hill.
The competition will be split into three distances, and will take place on a mix of field, wooden paths and track roads.
“We are offering a 15 mile [25 km], a 25 mile [40 km], and a 50 mile [80 km] race,” noted Hill."

For a full listing of equestrian trails in Ontario see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-activities/equestrian/

Bruce Trail News | Bruce Trail

"The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) are once again partnering for a series of hikes on The Bruce Trail to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity."

For a full list of hiking trails you can use in the fall check out: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-activities/hiking-walking/

Birding Mail - Ontario Birds - [Ontbirds] HSR: Holiday Beach Conservation Area (03 Sep 2010) 18 Raptors

"Official Counter: Jim Pawlicki

Observers: Claude Radley

Visitors:
Claude Radley, a few park visitors, plus Canadian Peregrine Foundation
members Dennis and Gwen from Windsor who happened to coincidentally stop by
just as one of the Peregrines made its second appearance swooping by in
close for some great looks!"

ORCKA Rendezvous Weekend -Canoeroots Magazine | Canadian Canoes, Canoeing Country, River Trips, Canoe Camping, Fishing

"For those who don’t know ORCKA stands for the Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association. This year they will be offering a two day Canoe Trippers’ Symposium and Voyageur Clinic in addition to Canoeing and Kayaking Instructors’ Recertification Clinics on Sunday!

For those who are staying over Saturday night bring your favourite piece of kit or equipment to tell everyone why it's the best, and where to purchase it or how to make it. Participants are also encouraged to tell a story preferably based on the premise of 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger or gives you great stories.'"