1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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