Congratulations to Don Ross!

Mr. Gary Clarke, Chair of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere, is delighted to announce that the organisation’s Executive Director, Don Ross, has recently been recognised with the prestigious A. D. Latornell 2010 Conservation Pioneer Award.

The award was designed specifically to recognize individuals who have demonstrated life-long outstanding contributions to the field of conservation. Recipients are recognized for their innovation, leadership and dedication to the conservation field. Either through their personal activities and/or leadership, they have gone beyond the call of duty or responsibility to an employer or their community.

We appreciate the ongoing support of FABR as a member of the Ontario Trails Council. Don was a guest speaker at Trailhead Ontario 2010 and for more information on Don, FABR and their trail work follow the link.

durhamregion.com | CLOCA looks for feedback on Oshawa Creek plans

"The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority is inviting the public to an information centre on Dec. 9.

The event will offer residents an opportunity to provide feedback on an update to the Oshawa Creek watershed existing conditions report and watershed management alternatives.

The Oshawa Creek watershed management plan was approved in 2002 and has been used to identify restoration activities and stewardship opportunities and guide land use planning."

Algonquin Outfitters Retail and Events Blog: Ontario Tourism Adventure Contest

"Spend seven days of spectacular sights and unforgettable adventures in Canada's National Capital, Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley – with celebrity host Kevin Callan. This fully guided trip for four will take you from the rapids of the mighty Ottawa River to the air above majestic Algonquin Park and through the region's rich cultural landscape."

Snowmobilers tuning up sleds and trails - The Orillia Packet & Times - Ontario, CA

"Very few snowflakes have fallen, but it's enough to encourage the Orillia District Snowmobile Club (ODSC) to get into gear.

'This is get ready for snowmobiling week right now,' club president John Britten said on Thursday. 'Any weekend we've got maybe 20 volunteers out there.'

Club members have been putting up signage and clearing overgrown and fallen brush from the approximately 300 kilometres of Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) trails that the ODSC is responsible for."

Ontario Trails Map Site Gets People Out and Active

Throughout the Summer and Fall the OTC worked to provide information on trail location through its new Ontario Trails Map web page.

From May-June 87,215 individual and unique visitors found our micro-site. They visited 173,854 pages. They used our trails direction tool to plan 39,167 trips.

"Is your trail and region on our site? If not, maybe folks aren't finding you!" says, Patrick Connor OTC Executive Director.

Moreover the OTC website had over 233,750 unique visitors viewing 609,175 pages August to October. Given this substantial traffic and trip planning, you'll want to get your trails or your regional tourism office linked up to us.

Join today, list your trail, promote your activity.

Cycle Toronto: Think Bike Workshop No. 2

"Way back in September I attended the Think Bike workshop at the El Mocambo and posted a blog entry about all the great ideas that our friends from the Netherlands had for our fair city.

The Dutch bicycle/city planners teamed up with Torontonians and city hall folk to create plans for redesigning Sherbourne St. and setting out a plan for a downtown bike lane network."

Belleville Police - Bicycle Safety

"Do I have to wear a bicycle helmet while riding on the road?
Yes. If you are under the age of 18, you are required by law to wear an approved bicycle helmet when traveling on any public road.
Cyclists over 18 years of age are encouraged to wear helmets for their own safety, but are not required by law. 

Why was the bicycle helmet law introduced?
Research shows that helmets can be extremely effective in preventing head injuries. About three-quarters of all cycling fatalities involve head injuries. The Government of Ontario is committed to promoting cycling safety.

What is the fine for not wearing a helmet?
The fine is $60.00 with court costs of $5.00 and a victim fine surcharge of $15.00 = $80.00 for a plea of guilty."

For more on cycling safety follow the link!

atv accident statistics in ontario « Ottawa Personal Injury Lawyer, David Hollingsworth www.ottawainjury.ca

"There are several suggestions for preventing ATV accidents:

Attend an ATV driver’s safety course
Never use a 3-wheeler as they are unsafe and no longer manufactured
Ride an age-appropriate ATV.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no one under the age of 16 ride a full size ATV
Provide constant supervision when children are operating an ATV
Never carry passengers.  ATVs are designed for only one person
Do not use ATVs on the streets or at night
Always wear an approved, well-fitting helmet with eye protection
Wear non-ski, closed toe shoes
Wear long pants and long sleeves
Never operate an ATV under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

We recommend:

Northerners can take a hike - Timmins Daily Press - Ontario, CA

"The Ministry of Natural Resources is responding to reports from residents in Northern Ontario that access to various pieces of Crown land is being restricted to benefit tourist outfitters.

'I've seen some of the emails and letters we've been getting about this, and people should be aware that they can still access the Crown land by hiking or portaging,' said Minister of Natural Resources Linda Jeffrey, during a telephone interview on Tuesday.

'We want people to fish and hunt in these areas, but we're restricting access by motorized vehicles.'
She added part of the allure of Northern Ontario lies in its remoteness.

'People like the fact that it's quiet, and it's a little harder to get to."

To view some of these remote areas see: and

A store for ATV, sledding enthusiasts - Community Press - Ontario, CA

"Tweed — A new business in Tweed hopes to help customers 'play, ride, cruise 'til the sun goes down.'

Tweed Recreational Sport and Lawn opened its doors Oct. 12 as a Yamaha and Husqvarna dealership.

Co-manager Jeff Boldrick said the store offers Yamaha ATVs, snowmobiles, side-by-sides and power products as well as the complete line of Husqvarna products from chainsaws and brush cutters to lawn tractors."

Good luck! For trails in and around Tweed see:


'In the future we hope to offer dirt bikes, street bikes, outboard motors and boats,' said Boldrick. 'The goal is to become a full-line Yamaha dealership.'"

Recession-Weary Travellers Find Affordable Cottage Escapes Close to Home - PR.com

"When it comes time for a special winter getaway, Ontario travellers are choosing to save money by staying close to home and experiencing the delights of their own province. Sand Lake Cottages & Inn near Algonquin Park and Muskoka has seen a positive impact from the recent recession. “A large number of inquiries are coming from people that don't normally rent Ontario cottages but want to try a less expensive holiday close to home,” says Danette Evely, owner of Sand Lake Cottages & Inn. Rather than visit other provinces or countries, travellers are reducing their costs by booking private cottage rentals and Ontario cottage resorts closer to home."

For trails in and around the area mentioned in this article go to:

Wildlife Gets A Lift From The W. Garfield Weston Foundation

"The Wildlife Conservation Society Canada announced today it has received a two-year grant from The W. Garfield Weston Foundation that will help fund continued conservation efforts in two of Canada’s most pristine, yet imminently threatened, northern regions — Ontario’s Far North and Northern British Columbia/Southern Yukon.

Working in these priority landscapes since 2002, WCS Canada’s conservation efforts have focused on vulnerable wildlife such as caribou, wolverines, and freshwater fish. With the Foundation’s previous support, WCS has succeeded in building conservation partnerships and integrating research findings into land use and species recovery outcomes in these priority regions."

Google Maps Adds Cycling Directions In Canada - BikeRadar

"Users in nine major Canadian cities which have shared data with Google will be able to bring up details of bike paths and cycle lanes, while cyclists in the rest of the country will be steered towards roads that have lighter traffic. Riders can opt to avoid big hills or find short cuts.

The cities that will have enhanced cycle mapping are: Calgary, Edmonton, Gatineau, Kelowna, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Waterloo and Winnipeg. As with the US launch, Google want people to use their reporting tool to flag up any errors or suggest bike routes. The feature is due to launch later this week"

MTV digs into the car/bike animosity on Vicious Cycle | I Bike Toronto

"In a very quick discussion, MTV's Vicious Cycle forum skims over a bunch of issues around cyclists and drivers sharing the road. By the end it feels like they've managed to mention all the issues and stereotypes without actually engaging on any of them. I do like the argument partway through between the courier and the taxi driver when the taxi driver claims to know as much about cycling as courier because he bikes about 3 times a month - precious. What we've learned:
cyclists: angry
motorists: scared
we all need to pay attention (oh really?! I wish I had thought of that already)
bike lanes are cheap
there's no political will (or even a very active backlash)
we're supposed to 'share the road' (whatever that means: do we share it according to need or want?)
Sunny is a funny, crazy bike courier (love her quote about putting the safety on the gun before going out on the road)
Admirable that MTV is tackling this just before winter - usually the media dredges up the war of bikes versus cars in the spring."

Wilderness Canoe Trips: Encounters with the Wildlife of Central Ontario

"One of the best things about a canoe is its ability to glide silently across the water. This helps us in many ways while trying to locate and observe the many mammals, birds, reptiles and Amphibians that make their home in central Ontario. One of the most memorable and exciting times on one of our canoe trips is being able to observe these wild creatures in their natural setting. Imagine watching a bull moose feeding on aquatic plants next to a meandering stream, a mature Bald Eagle as it soars gracefully over an open lake or the ‘haunting’ call of a loon as it echoes across an unnamed lake before dawn. Seeing these animals and many others in the wild creates memories and emotions within us that will stay with us for the rest of our lives."

For a more complete list of places to go see wildlife from a canoe see:

2010-11 Advermap Recreation Maps Available

The Ontario Recreation Map Series is developed by AdverMap in partnership with the Cycle Ontario Alliance and the Ontario Trails Council. The first series was published in March 1999 with a growing number of publications being added each year.

Our 2008 series will see the print and distribution of over 25,000 maps in 6 Ontario Regions this year. The maps will be available through Southern Ontario Travel Information Centres, Selected Local Visitors Centres as well as through our Participating advertisers, retailers and the Ontario Trails Council.

Multi-use Trails Promoted in Stratford Area

A group of about 40 people walking through the T.J. Dolan natural area wanted to be noticed.

The group was on the March for MUT (multi-use trails) Saturday afternoon which started at the Central secondary school track and went into the Old Grove.

"All it's about today is promotion," said organizer Darcy Trefiak.

Toronto Region Conservation Authority - Job Board

POSITION: PROJECT MANAGER, CONSERVATION LANDS
Downsview Office. 70 Canuck Drive. Building 100. Downsview, Ontario. M3K 2C5.
1 year contract position covering maternity leave.
DIVISION: Finance and Business Services

WorkCabin - a place to get environmentally connected

WorkCabin is an environmentally-focused online company founded in 2007. We are based in the heart of the ecologically rich Carolinian Zone, Canada's most diverse ecosystem.

Like you, we want to continue to hear great horned owls hoot, watch red foxes raise their kits, and salamanders begin life in vernal pools. That's why we plant hundreds of tree seedlings every spring (yes, the backs get a little sore!) and work to preserve, restore and enhance habitat for animals, amphibians and birds.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT
WorkCabin connects qualified and skilled green-focused job seekers to meaningful career-track environmental employment opportunities, including entry level, mid level and senior level, and to high quality employers who embrace sustainability and stewardship.

Durham Trails make living great

Pickering has its own Waterfront Trail, complete with a boardwalk, beach volleyball and a water park. There is a nautical village, brimming with boutique shops and restaurants and great fishing, boating and water activities at Frenchman’s Bay.

Further east, Ajax is known for its Lake Ontario waterfront at Rotary Park, which boats a 150-acre greenspace with walking and biking trails and playgrounds. In Oshawa, local residents can enjoy the shoreline trails at Second March and McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve. Whitby is home to one of Lake Ontario’s finest harbours, the Port Whitby Marina, and also offers scenic trails along the waterfront.

In Clarington, the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail stretches 17 km. Port of Newcastle is a self-contained village-like community with Cape Cod-inspired home designs, a marina, tennis courts and a clubhouse. The community is just minutes from the shops and restaurants of the Village of Newcastle, north of Highway 401.

In addition to Lake Ontario, Durham offers Lake Scugog and the town of Port Perry, located north of Townline Road. The town has a waterfront park and farmers’ market, and there is great fishing and boating at Lake Scugog. Residents are within minutes of the waterfront and several community events that take place there each year.