Submitted by the Sources of Knowledge
Our April 4th SOK Talk by Tamara Wilson premiered SOK’s upcoming 2024 Forum (May 3-5): “A Sustainable Tourism Future for the Saugeen Peninsula”. The Forum’s program and registration can be found at www.sourcesofknowledge.ca.
Tamara, President of the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club (PBTC), provided a history of the Peninsula Club and discussed specific actions underway to ensure the trail remains sustainable. She noted that the goal of the Bruce Trail is to “Provide a Ribbon of Wilderness for Everyone Forever”. Emphasis on ‘wilderness’ the trail is defined as a Class III Wilderness Trail having minimal impact on host lands.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) is a registered charity and consists of 9 individual clubs supported by over 1,500 volunteers. Planning for what is now the BTC began in 1962 and the first meeting held on the Bruce-Saugeen Peninsula was held in 1963. Today, the BTC stewards over 19,000 acres of protected lands and has agreements with over 650 landowners. The entire Trail has over 900 km of Main Trail (MT) and 400 km of Side Trails (ST), supported by about 12,400 members and 1,500 volunteers.
Programs, trail maps, and real-time trail conditions can best be accessed via the Bruce Trail phone APP. For Apple iphone users,the Bruce Trail App is available for iOS devices through the App Store. For Android users, the Bruce Trail App is available for Android devices through Google Play. In both cases search for Bruce Trail Conservancy and look for the green diamond logo. This app can also be used to report downed-trees on the trail and other conditions under “Report a Problem”. It will also map your route and provide data on distances traveled. In addition, BTC professional biodiversity ecologists, conservation specialists and mapping experts provide on-going advice and support to trail sustainability.
The PBTC, the northernmost Peninsula Club from Wiarton to Tobermory, is currently supported by 1,000 members and a 20-person Board of Directors. The PBTC portion has 170 km of MT and 100 km of ST and is maintained by 200 very dedicated volunteers. The Peninsula Club offers a busy program including many event hikes guided by leaders certified under Hike Ontario. There is also a badge program targeting both Conservation themed hikes as well as distance hikes. More information on Club activities can be found at PBTC.ca.
Sustainability messaging from the Club supports social and environmental well-being, including “leave no trace”; “take nothing but photographs”; “pack-in and pack-out”; and “respect all wildlife”. PBTC also monitors and maintains the trail on a regular basis.
Keeping the Trails clean is a big initiative for the Peninsula club. In 2021, PBTC volunteers removed 62.2 kg (137.2 lb) of garbage consisting of 10,812 individual pieces of which 3,126 were cigarette butts! In 2022 and 2023, volunteers undertook 2,415 hours of Trail maintenance including the removal of dead wood and downed-trees as well as trimming to ensure a clear path.
Recent increases in tourism on the Peninsula has resulted in parking issues at trail access points and local trail crowding. PBTC is working with the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula’s Sustainable Tourism Action Group (STAG) and along with the local tourism agency – RT07 and the National and Provincial Parks, STAG works together to implement sustainability measures. In some locations, these have resulted in the need for paid parking (on-line reservations for McCurdy Road in Lion’s Head); speed signs; use of trail counters; and access control measures. There has also been a need to better instruct users on how to read trail blazes to keep people on the path.
The PBTC continues to work with our users to control/minimize littering; ensure all dogs are leashed; and minimize “spider trails” caused by hikers leaving the main trail. We also need to further educate hikers on the need to plan ahead to fully understand distances and routes (this is where the phone APP is particularly important). Please remember to bring lots of water and don’t underestimate how dark the trail can be given our ‘dark skies’ environment.
Going forward, the Peninsula Club aims to continue to enhance the hiker experience by replacing ladders with stairs at Hope Bay as well as reviewing other high traffic areas for opportunities. The Club will also be hosting invasive plant ‘pulls’; undertake volunteer planting events; and continue restoration work on 5.7 acres at Barrow Bay. See you on the trail!
