Monday, May 27, 2013

Ontario Trail News - Trailhead Ontario Appreciates the Support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

June 9-12, 2013 - Peterborough

OTC Member? Discounts Apply

Holiday Inn discounted rooms!

Join trail advocates, organizations, speakers, builders, use groups, volunteers, planners and regulators as we discuss, learn and improve Ontario's Trails!

The Ontario Trails Council, and the Trailhead Ontario 2013 planning committee wish to acknowledge the financial support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and sport in making this conference happen. Please attend and give a warm welcome to Ontario Assistant Deputy Minister Phil Malcolmson who will be joining Craig Stewart, and Carol Oitment in discussing new initiatives and supports for our trails!

We could not have a conference and sustain OTC without their assistance. For this we are grateful.

New for 2013 - Northern and Remote - Link-Up: Sign Up and we'll hook you up!

Northern and Remote Communities (only): please note that for a small fee you can participate in the two interactive sessions on-line:

Monday at 1pm est - Great Lakes Trails Panel - with Minnesota, Ohio, New York and Michigan Trails
Tuesday 1pm - Adventure Tourism with Author Loreen Niewenhuis and Author Hap Wilson.

Signage Information - We have three different signage companies presenting on the latest techniques and innovations they have brought to market for use in making trails safer, easier to use and that promote wayfinding for tourists!

McCarthy Signs

Fontasy Signs

Tour-Mate

Mapping Panel - the best way to assist trail users or trail tourists is through effective communication. One popular way is through maps. Maps assist in telling folks the length of a trip. They tell trail users about trail location, amenities such as accommodation, restaurants, fuel, supplies camping, etc. that are on or near the trail.

Maps and map technologies are changing at lightening speed. Google maps, map integration, handheld maps, topographical maps, mash-ups, waterproof, gps - all these are new and innovative techniques that communicate the destination and the experience to the local user or the traveler.

More and more municipalities are producing local maps by activity and trail to assist these out-bound adventurers.
Our mapping panel has brought together some of Canada's and Ontario's finest map producers for a discussion on their product lines, their market segments and the new techniques they are bringing to market.

So whether you are a trail user or a trail manager producing maps - you'll want to attend this session!

Special Presenter:

Tourism development includes trails. Trail packages, trail experiences, trail destinations. One such trip is hiking. Hear about "A 1000-MILE GREAT LAKES WALK"

Please join Trailhead Ontario as we present Author Loreen Niewenhuis as she talks about her experience circumnavigating, on foot - the waterfront trails of the Great Lakes! In 2009, Loreen Niewenhuis walked the perimeter of Lake Michigan and wrote the bestselling book, "A 1000-MILE WALK ON THE BEACH".

In 2012, she took another long journey, covering 1000 miles of shoreline touching all five Great Lakes. The book about this latest adventure, "A 1000-MILE GREAT LAKES WALK",explores the entire Great Lakes system.

In this presentation, she will take you along the shores of all five Great Lakes and many of the waterways connecting them. In words, photos, and video, you’ll explore the geology, hydrology, and natural history of the largest system of fresh water lakes in the world. She will also illuminate the threats to this massive ecosystem: invasive species, pollution, destruction of wetlands, and the gradual warming of the lakes.

Niewenhuis speaks with the authority of an expert as she has a M.S. degree in the biological sciences. She raises important questions about preserving our wild places and protecting the fragile ecosystems on which we all depend.
International Trail development panel - hear trail association professionals from the states of Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio and New York as we convene a panel on cross border trails tourism, promoting the Great Lakes Basin. Hear how trails are developed, managed and promoted by our counterparts just across the Ontario/USA Border.

Local Initiatives - Kawarthas Northumberland are promoting trails and trails activity in new and exciting ways. Working with trail groups is the cornerstone of the RTO8 trails development agenda. Come and hear how Kawarthas Northumberland is working with Trent University, Fleming and the Trans Canada Trail on the development of regional initiatives such as, heritage trails, provincial trails day (June 1st) and a variety of other seasonal marketing initiatives for trails and trail towns.
We would welcome your support, rates are reasonable and it would be great to have a few provincial trail organization booths at the conference.

Kawarthas Northumberland - Trail Events

Program Snapshot

Trail Risk Management - June 11-12, 2013

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the elements associated with managing risks related to trail planning, development and management.

Topics will include: Introduction and Overview, Developing a Risk Management Framework

The Canadian and Ontario Legal Systems Negligence and Liability
The Law and Trails, Insurance and the Transfer of Risk
Occupational Health and Safety
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA)
HIRA Application on the Trail
On the Trail Again
Risk Assessment Assignment to work on at home with guidance from the instructor.This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the elements associated with managing risks related to trail planning, development and management.

Instructor: Matt Cruchet

Matt Cruchet founded Direct Bearing Incorporated as a vehicle to help organizations navigate risk. Matt’s strengths lie in operational assessment where he uses his experience in the not-for-profit, youth-service, adventure travel, natural resources and emergency planning industries to evaluate and manage risk. Matt is a recognized outdoor risk management expert, consultant, author and speaker.

Direct Bearing Incorporated has also worked with over 100 other organizations ranging from youth service groups, camps, natural resource companies, adventure tourism.

Time Limited? - Register Here

Select 1, 2, 3 or 4 Day Participation options

Ticket Type	Price	Fee
Conference and Education Package - Paypal	CA$315.88*	CA$9.12
Conference and Education Session Package - Pay by cheque	CA$357.50*	CA$9.95
Conference Registration - Paypal	CA$169.63*	CA$5.37
Training - Risk Management	CA$203.76*	CA$6.24
One Day Registration - Conference Only	CA$96.51*	CA$3.49
Display Booth	CA$257.86*	CA$7.63
Display Booth - discount	CA$171.58*	CA$5.42
Display Booth - Non-Profit - Provincial	CA$171.58*	CA$5.42
Display Booth - Provincial Non-profit - discount	CA$128.20*	CA$4.30
Display Booth - Local, small non-profit	CA$42.15*	CA$2.10
Display table - literature only	CA$20.59*	CA$1.54
Ordered Ticket at door - Conference	CA$169.63*	CA$5.37
Ordered Ticket at Door - Education	CA$194.01*	CA$5.99
Ordered Ticket at Door - Conference and Education	CA$365.55*	CA$9.95
Ordered Ticket at Door - One Day Only - Conference Only	CA$100.00	CA$3.49
Coffee Break Support	CA$194.01*	CA$5.99
On-Line Great Lakes Panel - Northern Residents Only - Webinar - Pay by Paypal	CA$35.00	CA$1.87
On-Line - Adventure Tourism - Northern Residents Only - Pay by Paypal	CA$35.00	CA$1.87

Trailhead Ontario is supported by:

Regional Trail Profile

So it looks like it's going to be an exciting time in Peterborough - join us - mark the date June 9-12, 2013 in your calendar NOW!

Hotel Reservations and Event Location

More information? Go to - Trailhead Ontario
Call Patrick at 1-877-668-7245 or
Vanessa Twiddy at 905-373-8752 | www.rto8.com |

Ontario Trails appreciates the support of:
Regional Tourism Organization 8
Ontario Trillium Foundation

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Ontario Trail News - News about trails from all over Ontario!

Trail Heroes

Know somebody that works hard on trails? If so nominate them to be an Ontario Trails "Trail Hero!" We'd be happy to review your recommendations and acknowledge in a small way their contribution to trails in your community.

Every day trails are news! Every day we blog about trails. In communities all over Ontario trails are big news, for cyclists, runners, canoe or horses, every day we capture in one spot all the trail news - local, provincial or national! Join today!

Trail Blog

Become a trail development leader. Join Ontario's first ever series of 14 trail education courses in the development and management of trails. Designed for both volunteers and professionals. Register today - registration is open 24/7 until the morning of each training event.

Trail Leaders!

The Ontario Trails Council is a non-profit charitable organization, established in 1988, that promotes the development, preservation, management and use of recreational trails. With over 130 organizational members and 15 individual supporters the OTC has influence! Support trails in Ontario - Join the OTC

Join OTC

Learn an Activity

Our website contains information on over 2,600 trails, and a description for nearly 2,000. Learn about the places where you can bike, cross country ski, climb or any of another 15 activities. We are linked to over 130 organizations and a variety of provincial groups that can help you learn an activity or become better at one you already love!

Add Your Event

We post trail or outdoor events on trail specific facebook pages, the main OTC facebook page, and the event section of the OTC website. You can send us your event and we'll post it to these extensive networks. Each week we reach over 20,000 people, so if you want your event known, a bit better, send us the information.

1) Capital Budgets - link to google doc shared - please share your trail budget we'd like to know who is getting what around the province. Thanks!

2) OTC met Mayor Rob Ford Chief of Staff and discussed his support for the Toronto Trails Committee. Please like us on facebook.

3) OTC/Cycle Toronto pursue Ignite endorsement! Secured!

4) OTC going back to Norfolk County in May on horse trails!

5) Met with core leaders Niagara Trails Committee. Thanks to Niagara Circle Trek Trail for your support!

6) OTC welcomes new members! Thanks South Western Tourism Corporation!

7) OTC declared "partner" of Cycle Toronto - thanks

8) Algonquin College program on-line

9) Do you have a winter trail maintenance policy? Please forward to Ontario Trails execdir@ontariotrails.ca

10) Thanks to Caledon for extending use of trails to horses!

11) Please renew your OTC Membership - TODAY "New trails are still to be developed in Ontario. Existing trails need to be maintained and expanded. Trail organizations in Ontario need one common voice to advocate for them. We need a central source to promote funding opportunities and act as a communications link between trail groups." Ray Gilbert Bruce Trails Network

Member Requests

12) Next OTC Board Meeting May 27th, 2013. Using JoinMe internet meeting service.

13) Liability Survey Arising from our meeting with the ADM and staffs October 1, 2012
Short Form
Long Form
Please complete ASAP

14) Hamilton Conservation discount passes - Additional rewards :-)

15) Anybody aware of any sanctioned "free run" dog trails? Came up at Toronto Beltline Trail Meeting. Please call OTC Office with information

16) Credit Valley Conservation looking for support from Shell Fuelling Change Project

17) OTC Mobile App - for iProducts and Windows

18)
Check out the latest trail opening here.

19) Thanks to The Great Waterway for their support. Contact Graham Burke if your RTO wants to do the same!

20) Millennium Trail PEC Blog - often looking for volunteers

21) Each week 100 folks talk about us and we reach over 12,000 on facebook alone. Check us out

22) Membership section of OTC website updated - get your login and password today!

23) Director section of the OTC website updated - get your login and password today! New content added - Guideline for Interpreting Financial statements and Past Meeting Minutes.

24) CPRA Looking for Infrastructure and Parks Volunteer e-mail John Lohuis at Niagara Parks

25) Add your trail

26) Add your event

27) Prescott-Russell look for links on website for Masterplan

28) The Toronto Bruce Trail public bus hikes

29) Follow the Education Program on Facebook

30) Follow the Education Program Updates on Twitter

31) Post Photos to Pinterest

32) OTC on Foursquare

33) Safe Trails Manual

34) Winter Hikes with Rainbow Routes

35) OTC Education Partner

36) Snowshoe program at Wye Marsh

37) Park and Recreation Ontario.

38) OTC Youtube Channel

39) Trail P riorities Survey

40)Trail Reform Now Survey

41) Trail Projects 2012

42) Ontario Trails Maps

43) Enabling Change Program

44) Canadian Canoe Museum

45) Sustainable Trails Program

46) FinnFun

The 74th annual Finnish Canadian Grand Festival is returning to the City of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada where the Grand Festival originated on the Dominion Day Weekend in 1940. We are calling this year’s festival: FINNFUN2013. FINNFUN2013 will take place from Thursday June 27th to Canada Day on Monday July 1st, 2013. We encourage families to bring their children to participate and to learn about their Finnish culture and heritage.

47) OTC Board 2012-13

Jack De Wit - PRESIDENT
Ontario Equestrian Federation
905-655-4666
cndhrsman@bellnet.ca
Ron Purchase - Treasurer
Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs
705-739-7669
rpurchase@ofsc.on.ca
Dan Andrews - Secretary
TrailADE Consulting
705-927-8648
trailadecanada@gmail.com
Paul Ronan
Ontario Parks Association
647-991-9444
paulronan@rogers.com
Frieda Baldwin
Huronia Trails and Greenways
705-245-1005
frieda.baldwin@rogers.com
Wayne Daub
Oxford Trails Committee
519-500-3715
w-daub@rogers.com
Igor Hoogendoorn
International Mountain Biking Association
855-255-4094 ext.108
igor.hoogendoorn@imba.com
Patrick Connor
Ex-officio - Executive Director
Kingston
613-484-1140
execdir@ontariotrails.ca
Bill Goulding
Professional Trail Builders Association
905-213-0466

BillGoulding@sustainabletrails.com Jeff Muzzi
Manager, Forestry Services, Renfrew County
613-633-9683
JMuzzi @countyofrenfrew.on.ca

Bonnie Simpson
Recording Secretary
705-438-5752
otcdocumentwranglet@hotmailcom
We currently have vacancies on the OTC Board. If you are interested please e-mail Jack De Wit to discuss. cndhrsman@bell.net We are also headed into an AGM. Get your nomination forms to Ron Purchase - rpurchase@ofsc.on.ca

Ontario Trails Council appreciates Ontario Trillium Foundation Financial Support

Disclaimer
The ideas, opinions, re-posting of news, editorials and content contained in this newsletter are not necessarily the ideas or opinions of the OTC Board or staff. This news is intended for informational purposes only.

OTC Event Planning Guide
Call 877-668-7245

OTC Trail Committee Manual
Call 877-668-7245

Ontario Trails Membership
On behalf of OTC we thank you for your support. If there is a group you know that is not a member contact us and we'll send them a note on membership benefits. This past week we received a renewal from the Credit Valley Conservation Authority. Thank you very much for your support!
THANKS! MERCI!