Tonight I attended the Annual General Meeting for the Shuswap Trail Alliance.
I was incredibly impressed with the excellent information provided at the meeting. I also gained a better understanding of the amount of work that is required and what goes on behind the scenes to make this organization run.
What did I learned at this meeting?
The Shuswap Trail Alliance:
- is run staffed ( paid & volunteer) by a group of passionate and dedicated individuals.
- is backed by amazing communities full of individuals and businesses that support the alliance with donations and volunteered manpower and expertise.
- is focused on preserving the area's diverse ecosystems and creating a sustainable resource management plan
- works hard to foster cooperation with many different organizations and local First Nations peoples.
Some of their listed goals are:
- to protect First Nations interests
- to reduce/repair ecological damage
- manage land access appropriately
- ensure long-term use of trails
Since 2006, they have established over 50km of new trails. They have designed and placed over 140 trail signs (those are important, trust me) and they make great maps and guides of these trails that they offer free of charge, to name but a few things.
I also learned that it takes an amazing amount of funding to make this happen. With the loss of funding due to government cuts, the Trail Alliance must find other ways to replace the approximately $75,000. That is a lot of money to fund raise. I wonder just how many bake sales that would take?
Thankfully they are finding ways to meet their financial needs and make our trails happen. But they need help to do it. Help from people like you and me.
In fact, they have a fund-raising event coming up April 1 at the Salmar Classic Theatre (360 Alexander Street) in Salmon Arm. A great family outing, it will be an exciting mountain bike flick. Those are all the details I have at the moment but more will be forth coming as I get them.
Think Globally, Act Locally
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