Green / Environmental Event: A Trail for Lake Erie - Open House and Workshop: Niagara, Dec 2

"'A Trail for Lake Erie' Open House and Workshop
Carolinian Canada Coalition - Lake Erie Coastal Stewardship Trail

Explore with us!
Unique Opportunities for Trails, Nature and Eco-Tourism
Along the Shore of Lake Erie from Essex to Niagara

You are invited to attend our Lake Erie Coastal Stewardship Trail Open House and stay for a Workshop to make a lasting contribution."

durhamregion.com | Chickadee Trail construction needs volunteers

"Volunteers are needed to help put the final touches on the Lynde Shores Conservation Area Chickadee Trail.

Central Lake Ontario Conservation staff is looking for the help to finish the makeover project begun earlier this month. On Oct. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m., the team hopes to put the last touches on the trail by working with volunteers to construct a cedar rail fence and remove invasive plants. Work boots and work gloves are recommended."

Lots to do on Ontario trails

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62600&s=f68250105effb4efe5e78587ec116974&pagenumber=

Fall ATV Riding in Ontario's Near North

"We excitedly jumped on our Hondas and rode right through town until we hit the trails. It should be mentioned that the town of Mattawa is exceedingly ATV friendly, allowing ATVers to ride on public roads so long as they use proper hand signals and follow the rules of the road. Even local restaurants and accommodations welcome ATV riders with open arms. As Mattawa Voyageur Country Tourism Development Co-ordinator Mike Stiell tells us, it’s not uncommon to see a half dozen ATVs parked in front of a local restaurant."

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

Operation Impact - Midnorth Monitor - Ontario, CA

"However, 243 people have lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions so far this year on OPP patrolled roadways, in comparison to 236 in 2009.

As the popularity of all-terrain vehicle riding in Ontario continues to grow and although it's an exciting recreational activity for many, it is not without risk. During hunting season, the use of off-road vehicles in Ontario increases at this time of year. Therefore; officers will also be patrolling local area trails to ensure that riders complying with the legislation. As of October 3, 2010, 12 people have died in off-road related crashes this year in OPP patrolled jurisdictions as opposed to 20 in 2009."

Please be careful out there - expect and respect other users - Ontario Trails Council

Hilly Hundred donates to trail renovation - Bancroft This Week - Ontario, CA

"The Municipality of Hastings Highlands, in partnership with the Bancroft Broken Spokes Cycling Club and a government grant, were able to resurface a four-kilometre section of the Heritage Trail from Bancroft to the Y Road.


This trail is now hard packed and suitable for mountain bikes and cross bikes to cycle. We are very excited about this upgrade and intend to continue the work to resurface the Heritage Trail. The 64-kilometre Heritage Trail runs from Glenn Ross in the south to Lake St. Peter in the north. Trail development is an important part of promoting active healthy lifestyles for cyclists of all ages and abilities. It is hoped that by accessing the trail into Bancroft by bicycle that this will help make a safer bicycle route into Bancroft. The upgraded trail will also encourage visitors to cycle the trail to explore our region."

Ontario Trails Map website | Lifestyle Information Network

"This website allows users to find trails by location and type of trail, such as for hiking, cross country skiing, equestrian, geocaching, and many more, and provides information on the length and difficulty of the trail as well as directions to get there."

Trail joggers need to show a little courtesy - The Whig Standard - Ontario, CA

"I used to enjoy taking my dogs for a walk along the Rideau Trail from King Street West to Bath Road. Now that walk can be a real trial as you have to have eyes in the back of your head nowadays.

Joggers run up behind you with no warning and scare the heck out of the dogs and myself and one day, those same joggers are going to find themselves getting bitten by a dog that they scare."

North Bay News and Weather on BayToday.ca

"Join the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) for a guided hike along the escarpment trails on Sunday October 17 at 1pm.

Hikers meet at the Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area at 15 Janey Ave in North (top of the ski hill) and will be guided by NBMCA's Naturalist who will share information about the trees, leaves and colours along the trail. The 1.5 hour hike will conclude with a trip up the Lookout Tower for a bird's eye view of the autumn display throughout the City and beyond.

Tickets are $3 for adults, $2 for children aged 6 to 12 and free for children under five. Contact the NBMCA at 705-474-5420 for further information."

Haunted Huron returns for spooktacular round two - Goderich Signal-Star - Ontario, CA

"The ghosts and ghouls are already making appearances in Goderich. Homes on Picton Street and Huron Road seem to have attracted their fair share.

The popular Doors Open and Haunted Huron program is returning after a two-year break.

This year's event features 22 heritage and unique sites across Huron County open free of charge to members of the public on October 23 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Along with the number and variety of sites open, the event also features over a dozen other programs and activities during the October 22 weekend."

Everyone wins when cycling is integrated into the community - St. Catharines Standard - Ontario, CA

"Courville travels the world on business and sees first-hand the impact of cycling. As a 41 year old, he will live, and shape, the future of North America -- one in which he believes cycling will play an increasing role.
Courville's advice to Ontario cycling advocates was: 'Ditch speaking for an embattled minority. Start speaking for everyone.'

The implication was cycling is too often viewed as a win-lose proposition by vehicle drivers and cyclists. It is anything but. Everyone wins when cycling is integrated into the physical and cultural fabric of a community: less congestion; enhanced business environment to attract young talent; tourism; public health and more."

Ontario Trails Council has been giving cyclists Courville's message since 2002. We'd like to help they've always been invited to our open forums, like Trailhead Ontario, but they never all show together for a discussion. See: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-activities/cycling---roads-paths/ and
http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-activities/cycling---off-road/

Bike lanes worth it, Wynne says - Owen Sound Sun Times - Ontario, CA

"Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne said Tuesday that paved shoulders on Hwy. 6 should improve safety for cyclists and drivers and help the area's economy by boosting tourism.Crews are resurfacing and paving shoulders one metre wide on the 66-kilometres of Hwy. 6 between Mar and Tobermory, as well as 23 km. on Manitoulin Island north of Hwy. 542. It's part of a trial project for the province's new active transportation program that will see more cyclists sharing the road with drivers.'I think it's important that when we are making policy on infrastructure that we look at the economic needs of communities, and this area is so important in terms of tourism. It's about bike and vehicle safety and it's also about economic development and tourism,' Wynne said. 'We're told that this extra metre of pavement on the side of the road is going to make a big difference for the cyclists, and to be fair, I think it makes a big difference for the other vehicles that are sharing the road with cyclists to know there is that margin on the side of the road.'"

Trail plan going to council in 2011 - Petrolia Topic - Ontario, CA

"WYOMING — A final proposal for a Reeces Corners to Wyoming trail is going to Plympton-Wyoming council early in the new year.

Coun. Ben Dekker said a trail committee held an information meeting recently for Oil Heritage Road landowners affected by the proposed trail route and added they were all supportive of the $375,000 project.

Dekker said the committee met after the public session, addressed potential revenue sources and reviewed a draft information package for distribution to potential financial supporters.
Dekker — who chairs the committee — said his goal is to give a complete proposal to council early in 2011.

The two-mile, asphalt trail is tentatively scheduled to open in 2011 and $20,000 was set aside in this year's municipal budget for engineering and survey work for the trail."

Join Us for Lake Links! - LAKE LINKS Workshop and Learning Session

"Everyone is cordially invited to the ever-popular, 9th annual Lake Links Workshop to be held on Saturday, October 30th, 2010 from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Perth Civitan Hall (on Hwy 43 east of the Town of Perth). The Workshop traditionally provides lake groups with the chance to learn more about each other and to benefit from the experiences of long-serving lake stewards. Not only will we will celebrate the past efforts in protecting our lakes and rivers but we will be looking to move forward with future projects to improve the health of the aquatic environments."

Volunteers Needed at Lynde Shores C.A.

"Volunteers are required to assist Central Lake Ontario Conservation staff in putting the finishing touches on sections of the Chickadee Trail at Lynde Shores Conservation Area, Whitby. This event will take place on Saturday, October 23rd from 9:00am until 11:00am.

Activities will include constructing a cedar rail fence and invasive species plant removal. Work boots and work gloves are recommended. This event is not suitable for small children.

“The Chickadee Trail received a much needed makeover earlier this month and we need some assistance in completing the trail work,” says Jamie Davidson, Conservation Areas Planner with Central Lake Ontario Conservation. “Volunteers have played an important role over the last few years in helping us upgrade Central Lake Ontario Conservation’s trail network. On this day, we will further enhance the Chickadee Trail for resident wildlife and the thousands of watershed residents who visit each year.”

If you are available for an hour or two please 'Click Here' to register for the event at or contact Mr. Jamie Davidson at the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Office (905) 579-0411 ext. 114."

Next council will decide on shoreline properties - The Cornwall Standard Freeholder - Ontario, CA

"Coun. Elaine MacDonald said at Tuesday's council meeting that 'land management' needs more clarification.

* In a related issue, council has found a designer who can develop a 'lookout park' at the east-end of Marina 200.

Administration recommended MMM Group of Ottawa for a cost of $27,441, which was the second lowest request for proposal (RFP).

Administration said MMM 'were judged to have a more focused waterfront park design experience and project deliverables.'"

YourOttawaRegion Article: Horton Township man dies in ATV accident

Officers of the Kirkland Lake OPP detachment are investigating the single ATV accident that occurred on an Ontario Northland Railway rail bed about two kilometres northeast of Virginiatown.
Gauthier, who was hunting in the area, was last seen by members of his hunting party about 2:30 p.m. Sunday. After he was reported missing late that night, an extensive ground and air search was conducted.
Gauthier was found alive, but pinned under his ATV that had rolled off the rail bed, by OPP Emergency Response Team members at 4:20 p.m. Monday. Shortly afterwards he went into medical distress, and lifesaving efforts by police and medical officials were unsuccessful."

Before you go take rider training and see: http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/atv-smart/

CANOE Travel - News - Halloween at Ontario Parks

"At the park's Halloween Weekend Oct. 23-24, special presentations on bats, spiders, owls and coyotes will help to dispel common myths.

There will also be a special bat box building session on Saturday morning and a Pinery-themed scarecrow contest.

Themes include the Pinery's Oak Savanna, its freshwater coastal dunes, the Old Ausable channel, Lake Huron and the park's cultural history.

Traditional Halloween activities are also planned."

Bixi Toronto Inches Closer to Reality - Torontoist

"We're pretty confident we'll get there,' Egan said.

As for that other launch target: last Friday the membership pledge count was at 800, according to Bixi Toronto's Facebook page. Each yearlong membership pledge costs $95 up front ($107.35, after tax), and is refundable if Bixi falls short of its launch goals and doesn't materialize. Other cities that use PBSC bikes and stations charge between $50 and $78 annually, making Bixi Toronto slightly expensive by comparison. But supporters point out that, since Bixi Toronto would be available year round, it would actually be cheaper, per month, than the Montreal version, which at $78 per year is only available from May until November.

The City of Toronto has devoted a few staffers to the rollout push. Aside from City managers like Egan, who were instrumental in negotiating with PBSC and selling the plan to City Council, there are also junior staff members who have been busy marketing Bixi to the public. They've been out on Toronto's streets for the past few months, lugging an itinerant Bixi demonstration station to street fairs and the like, so that passers-by can learn about the system and try out the bikes."

LSRCA Awards recognize "Watershed Heroes" - Bradford Times - Ontario, CA

"On October 6, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority celebrated another year of achievement and improvement within the Lake Simcoe Watershed, by honouring Watershed Heroes at an awards ceremony at Madsen's Greenhouse & Gardens, in Newmarket.

"We're here to celebrate the work being done in our watershed, because we feel it is making a difference," said chair of the LSRCA, Virginia Hackson.

Congratulations to all winners, especially Dan Andrews Executive Director of Trans Canada Trail Ontario.