Press Releases

SASCU adds a little more green to the Shuswap Trail Alliance build-a-meter-of-trail campaign   The Shuswap, British Columbia – The Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union is blazing new trails in the ongoing effort to weave the Shuswap green. A $25,000 grant to the Shuswap Trail Alliance will support two of this year’s projects – the Park Hill East trail upgrade in Salmon Arm, and a second phase of additions to the Rubberhead Mountain Bike Trail system.   “The SASCU grant – along with the recent $5000 Walk/Run funds raised by Shuswap Lady Striders and Cool Running – now bring us really close to our June 30th goal of $75,000!” states Shuswap Trail Alliance chair, Winston Pain. He points to a winding pathway on the Shuswap Trails website showing 80% complete on this year’s Build-A-Meter-of-Trail campaign.   And with only 3 weeks left in the campaign, new contributions are being encouraged to meet the final $15,000 gap. “Thanks to an overwhelming response to date from so many businesses and individuals we’re only 1000 meters away,” encourages Winston. “Please join us.”   In February, the Shuswap Trail Alliance sent out a call to keep momentum growing in support of greenway projects throughout the region in 2010. The Build-A-Meter-of-Trail campaign was kicked off during the hugely popular Shuswap Trails Dance Party and Silent Auction. The goal: raise funds to add 5 new kilometers of trail, at an average of $15/meter.   And there’s no question support has continued to rally behind local efforts to establish new trails for walking, cycling, Nordic, and equestrian use. As well known Sicamous trail advocate, Lori Schneider Woods, says, “There’s nothing more rewarding to be able to rattle off a list of old and new trails. . .then add ‘in progress’ and ‘coming soon’, just to keep them coming back.”   Sixty some kilometers west of Lori, similar words are spoken at the White Lake trailheads. “We’ve been taking all our visitors out on the trails,” says South Shuswap resident, Carmen Massey. “Our parks commission has really benefited from this regional partnership, so I’m excited about the continued support.” In the last two years over 20 kilometers of new trails were built between Blind Bay, White Lake, and Reinecker Creek. The Shuswap Trail Alliance was able to raise over 60% of the funds needed to support the regional parks commission complete these trails.   Similar funding has been raised since 2006 to bring that total to over 40 kilometers in trail projects throughout the rest of the Shuswap, along with regional trail signs, standards, and guide info.   This year’s Trail Alliance efforts include projects with Salmon Arm Greenways, CSRD Parks, local Mountain Bike Trails, EQ Trails, Larch Hills Nordic, BC Parks and the Provincial Recreation Sites and Trails, and continued collaboration with the Shuswap First Nations. As well, the new Shuswap Tourism Strategy builds on the regional alliance to market the growing trails system.   “I’m so impressed with the vast network of trails being planned and built,” shares Bev Wice of the Shuswap Lady Striders. “They benefit local residents as well as visitors to the Shuswap.”   Help the build-a-meter-of-trail campaign reach the final 1000 meters by visiting www.shuswaptrails.com and follow the link to the Shuswap Trail Alliance.   For further background on this release, please contact:   Winston Pain (Chair, Shuswap Trail Alliance) c/o Lakeside Insurance 250-832-8103 winston@lakesideins.bc.ca   Phil McIntyre-Paul (Project Coordinator)     for the Shuswap Trail Alliance    250-804-1964     phil@shuswaptrails.com

New Trail Crew T The 2010 Trail Crew t-shirt design is ready. Attend just three volunteer days supported by the Shuswap Trail Alliance, and get this shirt for free!

Auction Fundraiser Extravaganza - February 5, 2010 Mark in on your calendar!!! Your chance to buy some unique packages in support of hiking biking and equestrian trails in the Shuswap. Also a great chance to party! Watch for tickets coming soon. If you would like to donate or help, please contact Winston Pain at winston@lakesideins.bc.ca

Lady Striders Donates $2800 to Trail Alliance The first annual Lady Striders run for charity helped raise $2804.51 for the Trail Alliance. Sponsored by Cool Running, the event had people run 1.5km, 5km, or 10km for pledges, which raise the donated funds. Thanks to everyone involved in the event that helped raise funds to extend regional trail infrastructure. Ray Warner(Cool Running) , Phil McIntyre-Paul (Shuswap Trail Alliance), Shirley Buckler (Lady Striders), Jim Maybee (Shuswap Trail Alliance)

Trail Construction under way The 2009 trail crew has been hard at work building trail for the last few weeks. The result,..new trails! The Park Hill Trail System is now complete on the West side of Park Hill Rd. Signs still need to be installed, but the trails are beautiful. Check out the temporary map at Shuswaptrails.com for an overview of what is reay to use. The crew has now changed its focus to the Blind Bay/White Lake Greenway that will connect the two communities with a non-motorized trail. There are a few great viewpoints along the way and a wide variety of ecosystems and terrain to enjoy. These trails hould be ready to go by the end of the month.  Watch for an official opening and guided walk/cycle of the trail.

2009 Trail Crew begins work Over 150 resumes were received by the Trail alliance this spring when we announced the trail crew positions. After many interviews, we were able to whittle the numbers down to 4 supervisors and 13 crew. Most of the crew are passionate trail users who love the outdoors and love hard work and being outside.  Kevin Pattison, Operations Manager with the Trail alliance, has ambitious plans for the crew, with 5 major projects to complete before the snow flies. Kevin has the upmost confidence in his crew and  their ability to "get it done" on time and within budget.  The crew started on May 20, 2009 at Park Hill Trails, and will move on to the Blind Bay/White Lake trails the week of the 25th.  If you are interested in joining the crew for a day of volunteer trail work, please contact Kevin at 250-832-0102.

Major Funding for Shuswap Trail Alliance Announced Okanagan Shuswap MP Colin Mayes announced the Federal government will invest up to $265,000 toward regional economic development through trail projects in the Shuswap on Tuesday. Funds come through the Western Economic Diversification Canada Mountain Pine Beetle initiative. The funding was matched by a contribution of $150,000 from the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust, and previous funding from the Province of British Columbia. The funds are earmarked to complete existing trail projects, including the Park Hill system in Salmon Arm, the Rubberhead Mountain Bike trails, and the Blind Bay to White Lake system with the CSRD in the South Shuswap. The funds will also allow us to focus on advancing regional First Nation partnerships, working toward a regional trails agreement, developing new partnerships with local tourism operators, building necessary marketing tools (signs, maps, guide information, the Shuswap Trails website), and developing an adaptive management plan for environmental stewardship.

Marty Bootsma Announces Additional Funding for 2009 Marty Bootsma, Mayor of Salmon Arm, Chair of the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District, and Director of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust (SIDIT) passed a cheque  to Joan Mitchell, Chair of the Shuswap Trail Alliance, and Phil McIntyre-Paul, Project Manager of the Shuswap Trail Alliance. The funding from SIDIT tied to the Mountain Pine Beetle grant totals $150,000. This puts the budget of the Shuswap Trail Alliance over $400,000 for 2009.

Volunteer Days tentatively planned for 2009 Check the link on the right for the proposed dates for our super-fun work perties this coming season. Let us know if you see any major conflicts with other events. Hope to see you out this season!

Trail Alliance Receives Charitable Status It’s official! The Shuswap Trail Alliance was delighted to finally receive federal approval as an official charitable organization. That’s right – we can now start issuing tax receipts for charitable contributions to support the creation and maintenance of regional trails and greenways. And just in time for your year-end tax credits! To make a donation in support of Shuswap trail projects contact Dave Andrews at dandrews@futureshuswap.com

 

March 12/06 - Trappers Landing (Word - 29Kb)

February 17/06 (Word - 31Kb)

February 3/06 (Word - 30Kb)

February 2/06  - LHNS Newsletter - (Word- 34Kb)

January 13/06 (Word - 31Kb)

December 23/05 (Word - 35Kb)

November 28/05 (Word - 31Kb)

November 14/05 (Word - 29Kb)

November 3/05 - Public Session (Word - 30Kb)

September 26/05 (Word - 33Kb)

August 1/05 (Word - 31Kb)

July 14/05 (Word - 37Kb)

April 15/05 (Word - 30Kb)

March 19/05 (Word - 29Kb)

March 4/05 (Word - 32Kb)

December 16/04 (Word - 27Kb)