Sustaining a Natural Legacy Close to Nature, Close to Home The Bruce Trail Conservancy Sustaining a Natural Legacy Close to Nature, Close to Home Presentation to the Grey County Planning and Community Development Committee January 22, 2008 Beth Kümmling Executive Director Hodson Property, Beaver Valley Donated to BTC in 2006

Our Mission The Bruce Trail Conservancy is a charitable organization committed to establishing a conservation corridor containing public footpath along the Niagara Escarpment, in order to protect its natural ecosystem and to promote environmentally responsible public access to this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Bruce Trail Conservancy Overview Idea for Trail conceived in 1960 The Bruce Trail Association incorporated by letters patent in March 1963; name change to The Bruce Trail Conservancy in October 2007 Bruce Trail officially opened after 5 years working with landowners, in June 1967 Bruce Trail Conservancy governed by a Board of 19 BTA oversees work of 9 Bruce Trail Clubs (clubs in Grey County are Blue Mountains, Beaver Valley and Sydenham) More than 1,000 volunteers support the BTC, working on BTC and Club Boards, maintaining trail, serving on committees, working to secure and steward land, raising funds and promoting our organization 11 Staff members (with expertise in ecology, geology, biology, land securement and cartography) 8,300 members Optimum Route of the Bruce Trail is 843 km

Bruce Trail Conservancy Overview The main work of our organization is conservation and preservation of the Niagara Escarpment, and we spend more than $1 million annually on land to achieve this; funding for this comes from donors and some government grants Nevertheless the Bruce Trail itself remains a critical part of our mission It is our key marketing tool, to get people out on the Escarpment and foster their appreciation for its protection

The Bruce Trail in Grey County The Bruce Trail is divided into 9 sections – Grey County is crossed by the Blue Mountains, Beaver Valley and Sydenham Sections 204 km of main Bruce Trail pass through Grey County, from the Pretty River Valley in the east to Wiarton in the west More than 300 hardworking volunteers from these clubs work to keep the trail safe and accessible, whether in conservation areas or not; clearing the trail path, creating and monitoring signage, removing hazard trees, stabilizing slopes, etc. This is all done at no cost to the Municipalities or the Conservation Authorities, nor to the landowners who allow our Trail on their lands Of our 8,300 members, more than 1,100 have membership in the Blue Mountains, Beaver Valley and Sydenham Clubs, and most reside in the County More than 400,000 visits are made to the Bruce Trail each year, many of which can be expected to be made in Grey County

The Bruce Trail’s Contribution to Grey County The presence of the Bruce Trail has a strong positive impact on the community: With growing environmental awareness, the Bruce Trail offers a place to experience nature, close to home; a significant natural resource Provincial and municipal governments are promoting active, healthy lifestyle, which can be achieved by walking/hiking the Bruce Trail The presence of the Bruce Trail draws people into the community from other places to hike and explore; increases exposure to local businesses and services The Niagara Escarpment is an aesthetic draw; proximity to the Bruce Trail is often referenced in realty ads, tourist guides The BTC has been directly responsible for the protection of more than 2,600 acres of Niagara Escarpment landscape in Grey County, improving the environmental health of the area and adding to its natural appeal

Our Challenge We have a budget and good support for land acquisitions at $1.2 million annually Of our non-acquisition activities, $110,000 is budgeted for trail development and maintenance, and land stewardship these are vital services to keep our trail safe and accessible for the people in Grey County and beyond, and also to ensure the ecological health of the lands we own and/or manage With 24% of the overall Trail length, the funds we expend on Trail development and Maintenance and Land Stewardship in Grey County are $26,000 The County supports the Niagara Escarpment by providing funds to the conservation authorities, however the Bruce Trail does not see any of these funds; we are responsible for maintaining the Trail through the CAs and stewarding all lands we own

A Leadership Opportunity for Grey County The Bruce Trail is a unique cultural and natural attraction, a major tourist destination and a significant natural resource We are asking the Grey County to consider all that the Bruce Trail adds to its community, and assist with our operations by establishing an ongoing annual budget line item to The Bruce Trail Conservancy, of $26,000 towards our operations The leadership shown by Grey County and Halton Region, who recently committed to funding their portion of BTC operations on an annual basis, will be an inspiration for other Regional Municipalities to join suit in supporting the important contribution made by the Bruce Trail to their communities