Annual Meeting September 23, Club Reports

Transcription

1 Annual Meeting Club Reports

2 Niagara Bruce Trail Club 1. Trail Development and Maintenance Stair reconstruction at Ball s Falls was completed. Collaborated with the Shorthills Provincial Park to repair stairs and accessible trail. Trail audit of the Niagara Section was completed in May with few outstanding issues. The club has nominated Vince Zvonar for the Susan Oleskevich award in recognition of his dedication and commitment to trail maintenance. 2. Land Stewardship Working with the Town of Lincoln and residents to reroute the trail off road. 3. Landowner Relations At the request of the landowner, no parking signs have been installed on Cherry Ave. and noted in the 29 th reference guide. 4. Hiking Program Niagara collaborated with the Iroquoia Club to train 17 new hike leaders (10 from Niagara). Five special event hikes are offered for 2017, with record number of participants. Online registration for event hikes was piloted last year and expanded to all special event hikes in The regular hike schedule offers hikes 5 days per week, with multiple offerings on Saturdays for various interests and abilities. The Winter hiking badge was popular. 5. Members and Volunteers The Club now has 780 members, an all time high. Active Facebook page: ~1700 'followers' and ~7,000 monthly interactions (content likes, comments, shares). The Board welcomed Bill Ford as Vice President and thanked Past President Barbara Henderson for her service. The members approved the revised bylaws at the Annual General Meeting held in April. 6. Fundraising Four club members participated in the 50km Challenge. In celebration of Canada s 150 th and the Bruce Trail Conservancy s 50 th anniversaries, the club organized a Pig Roast, attended by 132 guests. 7. Communications and Publicity The Grapevine newsletter is edited and produced by Rowan Shirkie, and published quarterly. Special Events Exhibits: Display at the St. Catharines Public Library, Information kiosks at Ball s Falls Thanksgiving Festival, Pelham Summerfest, Notre Dame College School, Open Doors Niagara. The start of the 50 th anniversary Baton relay was featured on Cogeco TV. source/8187 april 2017/ bruce trail The position of Public Relations and Publicity is vacant Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 1

3 8. Outreach and community engagement Discussions are underway with Niagara College to enhance a bursary and sit on the College Program Advisory Committee for environmental programs. Provided leaders for an outdoor youth program for a local church group. Organized and provided leaders to enable clients and care providers of Niagara Regional Public Health to participate in the provincial 'Mood Walks' initiative to promote mental health. Provided leaders to Hospice Niagara to enable programmed bereavement walks. Submitted by Debbie Demizio President, Niagara Club 2017 Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 2

4 Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club It has been another eventful year at the IBTC. accomplishments: The following are some highlights of our activities and Board: We have five new members on our Board this year, replacing five outgoing members some who have served on the Board for many years. Fortunately for us, several of the outgoing Board members remain very active within the club, so we still can (and will) take advantage of their knowledge and experience. The incoming Board members were selected following the institution of a new process that is both more rigorous and open. Thanks to our Nominating Committee who both spearheaded the development of the new process, and followed up by recruiting excellent nominees for the vacant positions. Trail: A new side trail was created to connect the main trail to the BTC s new head office in Dundas. All bridge structures within our section were inspected to ensure safety, and prioritize which ones need attention. We continue to face challenges with landowners who decide for various reasons that they no longer want to allow the trail to cross their property. This resulted in three relatively short reroutes in the past year, in addition to a major one in the prior year ongoing reminders of the importance of securing the trail! Hiking: There were over 600 hikes offered by our hike leaders last year, and we continue to look for additional hike leaders to increase our offering. All new hike leaders are required to complete Certified Hike Leader Training. Our annual New Year s Day hike continues to be a great success with 157 hikers participating. Although conditions on the trail were quite icy in places, the participants remained in good spirits. One hundred and thirty two hikers registered for our official end to end last year, with 53 completing all four days to earn the Waterfall Badge. For those of you thinking of taking on the challenge this year, the end to end will be taking place on October 14, 15, 21 & 22. Social Media: We continue to expand our presence in the area of social media. In addition to FaceBook and Twitter, we have now added an Instagram account to our digital presence. Our club is committed to engaging the community via social media to help highlight the important work that we do, attract new members and promote events Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 3

5 Publicity and Public Education: Our Club prides itself on being actively involved in the Community, and we receive many requests each year to be involved in various events. Events that we participated in last year included Seniors Wellness Fair, Halton Eco Festival, McMaster Wellness Day, Milton Festival, RBG Biodiversity Day, YMCA Y Kids Day and ArcellorMittal Dofasco Health & Safety Day. Awards: The work of our club is made possible by the efforts of over 100 dedicated volunteers. This past year, we decided that we would like to give recognition to more of these volunteers, so we developed a new set of awards in addition to the traditional awards we have been giving out for many years. A complete description of our awards can be found on our website at: us/club awards/ Doug Stansbury, President Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club 2017 Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 4

6 Toronto Bruce Trail Club The last year has been one of many achievements for Toronto Club. Here are a few highlights: The Bruce Trail Hike a Thon, developed by our Club s Fundraising Committee, has now become one of the most successful fundraising events for the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Each year the amount of money raised by this event seems to grow, and last year we surpassed the impressive total of $30,000. Our hiking program continues to offer our members a wide range of activities, with 416 hikes of all kinds offered last year and 3,620 individuals on these hikes. We entered the social media world last year with Toronto Bruce Trail Club joining meetup.com. An amazing number of new hikers have learned about our hikes via Meetup at last count, 1,360 members on our Meetup page, of which the vast majority are not yet members of the BTC. Also of note, our winter ski/snowshoe events and our overnight weekend activities continue to grow in popularity. Our trail management volunteers continue to ensure that Toronto section trails meet the BTC s high standards. During the year we completed the Todd Bardes Memorial Nature Trail on our Springle Nature Reserve. Our land stewardship program continues to be very active. As one example, new habitat for pollinating insects was developed on the Springle property. During the year we acquired the important Lan Kwan Sum Nature Reserve at Rockside. This reserve is named after a member of our Club who left a substantial bequest in her will which permitted us to acquire the property. Trail will be opened on this new property in the near future. This will enable us to put the Main Trail back on its old, and better route through the Terra Cotta forest, from which it has been exiled for the last five years. Another important property purchase near Limehouse is now very close to closing, which will permit us to make another improvement to our Main Trail. Our membership has grown continuously during the last year, and we are working hard to ensure this trend continues. All in all, it has been an eventful and successful year. John Grandy, President 2017 Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 5

7 Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club The Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club continues to support the Mission of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. The following are a few examples of some of the club s new initiatives. Fund Raising: The Caledon Hills Club is trying a new fundraising event this fall a film screening in Elora of the film Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees featuring noted conservationist, Diana Beresford Kroeger, accompanied by a power point presentation by BTC CEO, Beth Gilhespy, of the over 11,00 acres that the BTC has preserved a good synergy between the two presentations. The response was so overwhelming that a second screening was required. Donations raised will be directed to the Escarpment Legacy Campaign. This is the first time that we have tried this type of awareness building and fundraising event combined. Hiking Program: To celebrate Canada's 150th birthday a new series of 5 Historical hikes, along with a special badge, was developed. The hikers participating in this series of hikes have expressed how much fun it was to search for and photograph the required items with many looking for our next hiking challenge. This has been one of our most popular badges ever. Social Media/Web Site: The club has continued to provide more information on different internet based applications. Instagram and Facebook continue to grow and our web site is becoming one of the main resources for hike listings. Finance: The club is actively involved in the BTC financial consolidation project. This project slated for completion the end of June 2018 will result in Conservancy wide consolidated financial statements. It is critical to experiment with new and different things and always look for better ways to do them. But it is also just as critical to not lose sight of those things that we have done in the past and done well. Things like Land Stewardship, Trail Maintenance, the Hiking Program or the more routine things like Finance, Membership or Fund Raising to mention only a few. In closing I would like leave one message. None of these activities new or old would have been possible without the drive and commitment of the numerous volunteers who give countless hours of their time to enhance the Mission of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Submitted by David Lamb, Director, Bruce Trail Conservancy Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 6

8 Dufferin Hi Land Bruce Trail Club Since we last met in Mono Centre the Dufferin Hi Land Bruce Trail Club has had a great year! Our challenge hikes, including our new Side Trails Badge hikes have been a great success. And we continue to get compliments on the marvellous condition of our trails. Here are some of the exciting new endeavours we've been involved with this year. In 2016 Orangeville's Headwaters Hospital Foundation approached the Dufferin Hi Land Club for logistical and field support in planning a fund raising hike. The three hikes would be on the Bruce Trail as well as on some adjacent properties. Many meetings took place over the winter and the spring. A number of hikes of varying degrees of endurance were plotted and replotted and the final paths were mapped and marked. The Foundation advertised the event, administered the registration and donation processes and canvassed the corporate donors. The Dufferin Hi Land Club blazed and improved the trails, provided leads and sweeps, staffed the check points and assisted the Foundation in the finer points of large hiking events. In short, the Foundation did a great job at what they do best and the Dufferin Hi Land Club did what Bruce Trail Clubs do best. On a beautiful sunny Saturday, June 3rd, we oversaw 105 hikers participate in this event and they raised $22, (net of expenses). Not only did this raise funds for a good cause but it gave the Bruce Trail Conservancy some very valuable exposure. The Dufferin Hi Land Club display was very well attended after the event and many brochures were given out. We look forward working with the Foundation in the future as this hike was the first of an annual event. In 2017 the Dufferin Hi Land Club established a school outreach program directed at grade school level kids in the Dufferin/West Simcoe Counties area to come visit us on the trail. We have a small special team of hike leaders and sweeps who take the kids and their teacher/volunteer escorts on a hike in Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. These hikes last approximately two hours and our team chats with the participants about the escarpment, its flora and fauna, the human history of the area and of course the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Each child is given a little grab bag of hiking/nature related goodies. Included are BTC brochures and membership forms that will hopefully make it home to parents who might be curious about the Conservancy. This is a learning process for us and the program is developing. We are receiving much positive interest from area teachers. Our aim is to spark an interest in the Bruce Trail Conservancy in the community's younger demographic. I'm looking forward to seeing you all in Milton on September 23rd. Jim Preyde President, Dufferin Hi Land Club Bruce Trail Conservancy 2017 Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 7

9 Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club Membership 610 for 2017 ( ) increase of 13 % Trail Captains 37 Land Stewards 14 Hike Leaders 41 Active Volunteers over 150 Hikes over 130 The Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club again is pleased to report we have had a very busy and successful year with many activities on our trail, as well as continued growth in membership. It is because of our many enthusiastic, hardworking members who volunteer that so many great things happen in the BMBTC. We thank the volunteers for their time and energy and wonderful, positive spirit. Trail Building and Stewardship A crew of volunteers constructed a beautiful new bridge in the fall of 2016 at kilometre 58.3, crossing over Silver Creek. Two sturdy sets of stairs have also been built to provide access on either side of the bridge. The old adjacent bridge will be removed. For over two years hikers did not have access to hike this part of the trail and had over four extra road km to hike on for our E2E. This work reopens the trail to revert to the original plan. A very big thank you to all involved! A new property, The Dunedin Ravine Nature Reserve north west of Dunedin has been acquired, where 1.6 km of new main trail has been built and blazed, taking about 1 km of trail off road. A donor appreciation hike event, led by BTC CEO Beth Gilhespy was held on May 6 to showcase the area and thank donors who helped make the purchase possible. In spite of the rainy weather, many BTC donors attended to celebrate this acquisition. The property includes trail through mixed forest along a tributary of the Noisy River, as well as a large hay field which is great spring breeding grounds for the endangered bobolink. Scott Langley, BTC's master cartographer, has added the trail re route to the BTC app! This spring under the direction of Land Steward, Dave Knox, 16 volunteers planted white oak, red maple, white pine and white spruce saplings, which will enhance our trail and add to the buffer zone between a farmer s field and the trail which was initiated last year. The BMBTC is the 8 th club to open an International Friendship Trail. On Saturday, October 22, 2016, many Bruce Trail members joined BTC CEO Beth Gilhespy, Jackie Randle, and BMBTC board members Linda Finley and Dave Knox to celebrate the opening of the 5 km (km 10.4 to km 15.7) Friendship Trail, which has been twinned with the Trilha Transcarioca Trail near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Communication A new Facebook page has been started to help in faster communication with our members. Marietta Service and Cathy Sears have taken this project on. Fundraising Our volunteers have organized several very successful social fundraisers this year the pig roast and silent auction, as well as the two Three Days on the Peninsula events with over 100 participants. Our annual E2E and Barbeque continued to be successful fund raiser with 120 hikers enrolled, and 111 showing up on Saturday morning. 82 persons completed both days and were presented with our End to End badge. This year a second E2E was held A Six Pack of Blue, with 6 hikes to complete the section at a not so gruelling pace with over 25 participants, eight of whom completed the 66.7 km earning their badge. This event was run as a fundraiser with participants making donations Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 8

10 Each year, volunteers also continue helping at the Centurion Cycle Race at Blue Mountains for which the BMBTC is presented with a generous donation. Other Events Over five days in early June, the BMBTC enthusiastically participated in the Fiftieth Anniversary Hike in early June, with about 30 members taking turns carrying the baton from the Dufferin BTC to the Beaver Valley BTC. As usual, our volunteers make all this activity possible and rise to the occasion to make it happen successfully. From trail blazing, to sawing trees and clearing trails, tending bar, leading hikes, chairing committees and attending meetings, doling out snacks at our E2E, roasting pigs and making burgers and salads, and so on. The behind the scenes volunteer work or should I say fun keeps our club vital and growing. We thank all who take part and encourage new members to become active in the life of our club. Respectfully submitted by Jill Doble, Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club, Blue Print Editor, on behalf of Michael Treuman, Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club President Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 9

11 The BVBTC has had a busy and eventful season: Current Status: 602 Members 60 Trail Captains 56 Land Stewards 149 Active Volunteers Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club Trail Development and Maintenance 9 Trail Captains retired this year, all have been replaced The chain sawyers were busy all winter/spring of 2017, and the mowers were challenged with all the rain that kept the grass growing By landowner request a 175 metre section of main trail was closed from the top of Sideroad 7B to the GSCA Parking Lot at the top of Old Baldy. This has resulted in a Main Trail reroute. This newly blazed Main Trail follows Sideroad 7B down to Grey Road 13, and then south through the village of Kimberley. Just south of Kimberley at the blue GSCA gate it then goes up to the top of the escarpment. The Old Baldy lookouts are now accessed using the Mac Kirk Side Trail loop signage The Wodehouse Karst S.T. (1.5. km) was officially opened on May 13 th. The complete Side Trail could not be traversed because the ephemeral lake was still flooding the area, those attending were treated to one of nature s highlights An application to the GSCA for a 3rd Line stream crossing in Municipality of Grey Highlands was submitted The new Main Trail section of our BT through the Daphne and Gordon Nicholls Nature was completed Two overnight rest areas have been identified on BTC owned properties. We await approvals from the BTC ecologists A Main Trail reroute through the BTC Allen property is planned for the spring taking the Trail off a wet and eroded section of the 22B road access One of the challenges to be faced soon by the Beaver Valley Club is the retirement of two of our key Directors: the Director for Trail Development and Maintenance and the Director of Land Stewardship. Both have done an incredible job, and finding successors will not be easy. We are, however, seizing this as an opportunity to better understand: how the nature and level of the responsibilities and standards of both jobs have changed and are likely to change significantly in the future, how the whole TD&M team and LS team might be better organized, how to attract and retain volunteers at all levels within the two groups with the necessary commitment and skills, and how to improve the way in which TD&M, LS and other parts of the club and the BTC work together. Committees are currently addressing these issues, with the objective of creating a new job description that will ensure, not only two new excellent directors, but two more effective and efficient TD&M and LS teams Land Stewardship The highlight of Land Stewardship work this year was the new Daphne and Gordon Nicholls Nature Reserve. Consisting of two adjoining blocks of land immediately north of Grey Rd. 40, this new property fills the last gap in protecting the trail all the way from Webwood Falls to Griersville Rock. The Nicholls family donated the funds for this property in memory of Daphne, and Gordon took an active interest in 2017 Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 10

12 our new trail route through it. The new section of main trail and the Daphne &Gordon Nicholls Nature Reserve officially opened July 26 th Thanks to Mike Osborn and Bob Hann, we have made enormous strides in developing a club wide online information system. Starting with the Land Stewardship records provided by the BTC, this has expanded to include much more club specific information. The availability of this online system will be a big advantage for on the ground care of our trail and properties Invasive Species Campaigns; Joan Nuffield and Bob Hann continue to lead the charge to control invasive species, specifically Garlic Mustard and Buckthorn. Individual members and Trail Captains continued to deal with smaller infestations of Garlic Mustard on their properties, and for larger infestations, at Old Baldy and Loree, this year Joan reached out to the general public for help. The sunny Saturday pull at Loree attracted 35 adults and one toddler, while the rainy Sunday pull at Old Baldy attracted 16 adults and five young kids. Bob Hann organized the spring Buckthorn destruction efforts, with lots of volunteers pitching in to help. We particularly appreciate the contribution of Bill Moses, of the Sydenham Club, who did the spraying of Buckthorn stumps for us this year. We are making steady progress on eliminating as much Buckthorn as possible Fall buckthorn parties have been arranged, teams are in place for October 3,4 & 5, Adam & Brian will bring their herbicide equipment On top of these major steps forward, all the usual land stewardship work and reporting went on, supported by over 50 Land Stewards who monitor over 50 properties Trail Activities Varied outings (walks, hikes, snowshoeing, X C skiing) were offered throughout the year, all led by our capable hike leaders. The Beaver Bites Challenge, comprised of a series of 7 hikes to cover all of the Beaver Valley side trails, was introduced this year. The new Beaver Bites Badge is awarded to those who complete the challenge. A solar viewing event was organized and presented at the E.C. Carr Astronomical Observatory on June 2 nd. A night sky astronomical event is planned for September 29, rain date the 30th The BTC Anniversary Baton travelled the length of the Beaver Valley with the help of members and families from near and far, as well as a Scout Group, John Burton s Grey Highlands Secondary School s environmental class, and at one point the chainsaw crew consisting of Blain Horsley and Paul Parkin. The Mayor of Grey Highlands, Paul McQueen and Councillor Cathy Little were there as we received the baton from the Blue Mountain Club. Marguerite, Geoff and Kate Solomon, family of our Club s pioneer Keith Solomon, were present as we passed the baton to the Sydenham Club On June 25 th four BVBTC members undertook the 50 km Fundraising Challenge raising over $6500 The Club s September 2,3 & 9, 10 End to End saw 45 hikers receive their badges Communications and Publicity E notes communicator, Christine Blake, who has maintained this direct communication with our members, has retired. A new administrator, Alison Carey, is preparing to take over this role Joan Nuffield continues to provide a quality newsletter available electronically, with some copies mailed to members. Beaver Bytes is the monthly electronic newsletter Facebook likers continue to increase and a variety of messages related to the BV Club and the BTC are posted. Some members like the page, most likers are outside of our geographic area. Participation in events such as the Canadian Snowshoe Championship at Craigleith and displays at farmer s markets in Meaford and Thornbury, help to keep the BT in the minds of the public 2017 Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 11

13 Beaver Valley and Blue Mountain Clubs took turns peopling a Bruce Trail tent at the North Face Endurance Race on the July 15,16 weekend. BTC reference guides were sold Participating in organizations like Grey Highlands Tourism Advisory Committee, Visit Grey, helps to reinforce the BT as an important natural resource for our local people and visitors to the area. The annual brochure swap event for Grey Bruce was an opportunity to disseminate our BTC and BVBTC print materials. Members and Volunteers Joan Nuffield and Bob Hann were the recipients of the Club s Keith Solomon Award this year Retiring Board member Joelle Martin donated a walking stick which at her request will be presented yearly to the Club s Volunteer of the Year A Volunteer and Landowner Appreciation Evening will be held at the Beaver Valley Ski Club on Saturday, October 28, Fundraising Trivia night was held on April 22, 2017 with 10 tables attending The popular Barn Dance fundraiser was held on September 16 at the Little/Davey Barn The Trail Angel program is a great way for our members to have conversations with hikers and thereby serve as ambassadors for the BT and the BVBTC. Participants are asked to donate directly to the BTC with reference to the BVBTC Trail Angels Program Finances E Transfers have now been organized for payments to the Club It has been a healthy year from a financial standpoint A full accrual method of accounting is now in place BVBTC Board Our Club said au revoir to one of our 13 Directors. Joelle Martin has been an integral part of our Club since She has been instrumental in the success and popularity of the Beaver Valley Club and has instilled into so many people the love of hiking. She led her final hike for the Club on June 17th, this was followed by a potluck picnic at the Kimberley Hall Glenda Collings moves from Director at Large to Trail Activities Director The Club welcomes Thornbury resident Alison Carey to the Board as a Director at Large The Board s summer retreat was held on August 14 th. The Club s Strategic Plan was reviewed. Fundraising, succession planning and recruitment of volunteers for various roles were the focus Other Highlights Two different work parties composed of volunteers from the Beaver Valley Club, as well as other BTC Clubs, travelled to Costa Rica in December 2016 & March 2017 to work with our Friendship Trail partner on the Sendero Pacifico Ros Rosetti has been busy organizing two new Costa Rica work parties for next year, one departing Feb. 27 and returning March 10, the second departing March 13, 2018 returning March Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 12

14 Sydenham Bruce Trail Club by Frank Schoenhoeffer, SBTC President Membership Our Club membership has increased by 10% since a year ago, reaching 479 members on June 30, fiscal yearend, the highest it s ever been. We credit our Outreach efforts (Owen Sound Health Fair, Mosaic magazine, Facebook, etc.) as well as renewals of lapsed members for this success. Our annual Spring Social in May was popular again, at Woodford this year, and we welcomed a good contingent of our Lebanese Friendship Trail friends from Toronto area, to join our own Club members. President Frank showed photos of his recent trip to the Lebanon Mountain Trail, and a delicious potluck supper was enjoyed by all. Public Relations Our website was re vamped and modernized this year, via new Webmasters, and is now accessible on smartphones and tablets, to provide wider use for promotion and communications. Volunteers Our Club Board of Directors remains the same as last year. We have a full slate of Trail Captains (first time in a long time), and added 3 new Land Stewards this year. However it remains a struggle to keep enough Hike Leaders. Hikes: We have developed a list of Emergency Access Points where our Trail crosses roads, with nearby 911 numbers, for use by our Hike Leaders. Our Club End to End hike series resumed this year (it s every other year) with 2 busloads of hikers enjoying the Sydenham section over 4 weekends. The 50th Anniversary Baton hikes attracted good interest as well, and several dignitaries were able to participate, including Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy, Federal MP Larry Miller, Provincial MPP Bill Walker, and Wiarton Mayor Janice Jackson. More good Outreach for us! Land Securement: The BTC secured 3 properties this past year in Sydenham Club. The Ancient Beach, Kemble Rock, and Irish Ridge Nature Reserves have secured 2.4 km of Optimum Route on 300 acres of Conservation land. We are Very Happy to be moving the Main Trail off Coles Sideroad which has become horribly destroyed by monster trucks and ATV s. A Donor Tour was held on the Kemble Rock property to thank our Donors for enabling that successful acquisition. We are developing a new Donor Plaque garden (at the Lindenwood property) to increase recognition by gathering plaques in an easily accessible location, while also helping reduce future proliferation of plaques throughout the entire Trail. Trail: several areas of activity this past year: We restored the Main Trail onto the new Irish Ridge property. We had been kicked off this property a year earlier, due to Bill 100 concerns. So this is doubly successful for us! 2017 Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 13

15 We are working to shorten the re route into Bayview Escarpment Nature Reserve (near Meaford) by sharing a Road Allowance with the Tom Thomson Trail. (The original re route was caused by hikers continually disobeying signs to respect the Landowner s wishes to not bring dogs thru that property.) We are well along in creating a new Side Trail on the Sydenham Nature Reserve property which had been donated by long time member and volunteer Cliff Keeling. We also spent a lot of effort as usual clearing fallen trees during the spring. Not to mention miles & miles of weed whacking all summer! Many thanks to our Trail Captains and Trail Director Ron Savage & his crews of trail workers, for all their efforts! Land Stewardship we now have over 40 properties to care for in Sydenham, and a large crew of Land Stewards volunteering for those jobs. Thanks to Bob Knapp our Director and the whole Stewardship team for taking good care of these BTC properties, completing more boundary staking this year, and dealing with encroachment and other land management issues. Finances are generally in good shape as usual, with a healthy bank balance. We continue to work with Head Office, the Finance & Audit Committee, and the other Clubs, toward more standardized accounting practices and reporting. Fundraising Our self published books Looping Through Sydenham 25 loop hikes, and Silent Valley a stunning jewel in a beautiful necklace continue to bring in funds for the BTC. Therefore, we are in a good position to make a healthy donation to the BTC this year. Thank you! Frank Schoenhoeffer 2017 Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 14

16 Peninsula Bruce Trail Club This has been a very busy time for the club and thanks to the more than 30 volunteers who helped with all the activities! It started with the AGM/Spruce up the Bruce day in May, the 14 day baton relay and cleaning and prep for the 50 Anniversary which was wonderfully run by the BTC team. The 50K Challenge ran two weeks later in terrible weather, well done to all those who participated in rain, hail and 12 degree cold! Again the volunteers where there getting wet with the hikers. We have been blessed with extravagant gifts and we were able to express our thanks at three events, again supported by volunteers, the marvelous donation of Cape Dundas by David and Nancy Pease, unveiling the plaque at the Bull Homestead remembering Bob and Sue Light s gift which was used to obtain the Light Nature Reserve and the unveiling of the sign on the Cape Croker Snake Boardwalk in recognition of the 5 donors for funding that project. Volunteers supported each of these by cutting grass and installing plaques. The fun continued! Lead by Bridget Rosser and Susan Allen a once only Bus Hike provided 96 hikers a chance to complete the end to end over 4 weekends stating in August. This project took many hours to plan many more volunteers to work as organizers. Thanks to our team for clearing the trails; the wet weather has encouraged prolific forest growth. At the AGM we reviewed our activities and showed a budget that is very skinny with no room for special projects. Therefore a fund raiser was introduced to meet a need for toilet facilities at the Devil s Monument property. High summer traffic has shown that there is a need for general grounds maintenance and such a facility. However it is not in the operating budget of the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula or any other local government that benefits from increased visitors. So with the funds raised, the Club arranged for one unit for this year only. We feel it is important for the County and the MNBP to provide facilities at high traffic locations. Many members of the Board of Directors have retired and we are searching to fill 8 10 positions. We are moving our meetings to Sunday afternoons to allow for new members who find our traditional Monday meetings inconvenient. The Peninsula will host the 2018 BTC AGM and we will be locating at the Evergreen Resort on Little Red Bay Lake Huron the site the initial trail builders used and one used by BTC 20 years ago. This is a fantastic location; we will have full use of the facilities, B&B accommodations in cabins or tents and guaranteed Lake Huron Sunsets! See you there. Walter Brewer President PBTC 2017 Annual Meeting Club Reports Page 15