Latest news with #outdoorrecreation
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Vancouver Islanders call for better access and environmental oversight of private forest lands
A survey by a private forest management company on Vancouver Island shows thousands of outdoor enthusiasts want better access to forest land — but an alliance of wilderness advocates is also raising concerns about environmental accountability. Mosaic Forest Management, which oversees roughly 550,000 hectares of privately owned forest land between Victoria, Sooke and Campbell River, reports that the survey received over 7,600 responses and the feedback was clear: open the gates. According to Mosaic's website, the company has over 20 gates on the Island that it can open and close to control recreational use — including those controlling access to popular hikes like Century Sam in Comox and Mount Arrowsmith near Port Alberni, and front-country camping sites like Nanaimo Lakes. Access to the areas is often limited to weekends between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Steve Mjaaland, Mosaic's manager of forest protection, says the company would like to enhance recreational access, but gate closures are often necessary for safety and to prevent wildfires. "It's a working forest. There are a lot of high-risk hazards, especially hauling on the roads, which would probably be the biggest risk with traffic," he said. Among those calling for better access: Jenn Holland, who currently chairs an alliance of almost 30 grassroots groups on the Island called the Vancouver Island Private Managed Forest Land Action Alliance. "There's gates everywhere and people can't get to beloved waterfalls or lakes or camping sites that they used to be able to access," she said. Holland says the issue goes beyond recreation. "We can't get in there, and we can't see what they're doing back there. We can't see if there's been a landslide. We can't see if a water course has been logged. We can't see that they've logged an entire watershed," she said. "It's not just access for recreation, but it's access for accountability that's missing." WATCH | Hikers call for greater access to the Island's backcountry: Issue goes beyond the gates, say conservationists Holland says that while hiking access is something that the public can easily grasp, she's focused on bigger issues, like conservation, private forest landowners and the province, that go beyond Mosaic's control of the gates. Dave Weaver, a retired forestry worker who now volunteers with the Beaufort Watershed Stewards, one of the groups that make up the Vancouver Island Private Managed Forest Land Action Alliance, says he takes issue with the Private Managed Forest Land Program, which was established in 2003 under the Private Managed Forest Land Act. According to the province's website, the program works by setting out management objectives for forest landowners, who in turn develop management strategies most appropriate for their land. Weaver says the act sets a low bar for forestry practices, especially in comparison to regulations for public forest lands, which have more restrictions on harvesting and clearcuts, and greater requirements for public accountability. "We need to have these difficult conversations very soon, with all the parties involved — with the provincial government, with the landowners," he said. WATCH: Vancouver Island groups call for forestry reform on private land: In 2019, the province undertook a review of the Private Managed Forest Land Act, where Weaver says extensive feedback was collected from the public, local government and First Nations. The province published its findings, which show there was a recurring theme of concern about the sustainability of forestry practices and the effects on things like watersheds on privately managed forest land — but Weaver claims no tangible change ever came from the review. In an emailed statement, the Ministry of Forests said it's working to modernize the act following the 2019 review, and that "many of the issues raised during the review are being addressed through the government's work to make sure forestry supports ecosystem values." But Weaver says he believes even that review would be out of date by today's standards and is joined by the alliance in calling on the province to undertake a new review. In a statement, Mosaic said it would be willing to work with community partners toward a sustainable strategy. "Mosaic supports enhanced collaboration between private forest landowners, First Nations, the Province, and communities to ensure responsible forest management plays a key role in BC's economic, reconciliation and climate strategies," said Karen Brandt, the senior vice president of public affairs and partnerships at Mosaic Forest Management.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
First phase complete for new all-access trail at Sudbury MA farm. What's next
The Sudbury Valley Trustees will celebrate completion of the first phase of their accessible All Persons Trail at Wolbach Farm with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. July 24, according to a community announcement. The event, which is open to the public, will be held at 18 Wolbach Road in Sudbury. State Rep. Carmine Gentile, D-Sudbury; Town Manager Andy Sheehan; and Sarah Besse, executive director of the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network, are among those expected to attend. The trail, which will be free and open to the public year round, is designed to accommodate mobility devices and strollers, as well as people using walkers, according to the announcement. It wraps around the Wolbach Farm grounds and gardens, and leads to a new accessible picnic grove and stone terrace with views of a meadow along Route 27. 'We are excited to officially open this first part of the trail and invite more people to enjoy Wolbach Farm,' said Davnet Conway, executive director of the Trustees, in a statement. 'These grounds are beautiful and offer a wonderful place for families to get outside, observe birds and other wildlife, and simply enjoy a picnic.' 'Allof the skills needed': Davnet Conway hired to lead Sudbury Valley Trustees The project, which began in April, is being funded through government and foundation grants, with support from the Manton Foundation, Osborne Foundation and the Highland Partners Charitable Fund, according to the announcement. Naming and dedication opportunities along the trail are available to individuals and businesses. The trail's development is part of a multiyear plan to enhance accessibility at Wolbach Farm, according to the announcement. Next year, the Trustees plan to expand the trail into the woods, with several resting spots for visitors to enjoy nature. A new accessible nature playscape is also planned for the picnic grove in 2027. 'This ceremony marks the beginning of several years of continued improvement of the trail,' said Cecil Hynds-Riddle, SVT director of development, in a statement. 'We welcome feedback about the experience. If something doesn't work for you, tell us! If you have an idea for a new interpretive experience, we are eager for your input. We want everyone to gather, explore and belong in this lovely natural setting.' More information and a feedback survey are available at This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: New trail at Sudbury farm offers access for strollers and wheelchairs
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
River Mill Trail opens in Middlebury
MIDDLEBURY — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the town of Middlebury celebrated the opening of the River Mill Trail Thursday. 'At DNR, outdoor recreation is core to our mission,' said Dale Brier, DNR deputy director of community grants and trails. 'We're proud to support Middlebury with the new River Mill Trail that makes important connections between existing trails, the regional Pumpkinvine Trail, and other local businesses.' More than one mile of asphalt multi-use trail was constructed by the town of Middlebury's Parks and Recreation Department with help from a $717,370 grant administered by the DNR. The River Mill Trail links existing park trails in the town of Middlebury to a 9-mile section of the regional Pumpkinvine Trail. The new trail also connects Middlebury residents to several businesses along the trail corridor. 'The funds from the DNR grant provided the bulk of the money to launch the town of Middlebury's newest trail,' said Tom Enright, park superintendent. 'The River Mill Trail connects two of the town's parks to the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail and allows residents on the east side of the town to access the Pumpkinvine without needing to cross Ind. 13. 'The River Mill Trail is already being used on a regular basis by providing more opportunities for safe recreation, exercise and transportation.' DNR has led the largest infusion of trails funding in state history, with $180 million in dedicated trail funding administered through DNR that facilitates critical trail connections within and between Hoosier communities. A total of 45 of the 89 projects are complete, with another 21 under construction. With this opening, more than 134 miles of trail have been built since the program's inception.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Changes could be coming to Whitehorse's popular Long Lake
The City of Whitehorse wants to make changes to the Long Lake day use area, saying the area is seeing a growing a number of users. The city is proposing to add a formal parking lot, a barrier-free trail connecting the parking area to the beach, additional portable toilets and garbage cans, change rooms, benches and picnic tables. The proposal is now being assessed by the Yukon Environmental Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB). "I think this is long overdue," says Dave Paquet, who regularly swims in the lake and walks the trails. The popular lake is about a ten-minute drive from downtown Whitehorse and attracts large crowds on hot summer days. Currently, the area has a small parking area, a hiking trail that circles the lake, two portable toilets and a few garbage cans. The city recently added a dock and a life jacket loaner station. The city is proposing to clear vegetation in the area to make way for the new facilities. Some of the mature trees near the lake provide nesting areas for birds, but the city says it will only clear vegetation outside of the main nesting period. It also says riparian areas surrounding the lake may be disturbed during construction. However, once the project is complete, the city says it will help protect vegetation and riparian areas, which are often disturbed by users. Megan Sharp runs on the Long Lake trails and swims in the lake in the summer. She says leaving the area "wild" may not be the best way to protect it. "When it's less developed and less people use it, I find there's lots of trash and maybe there's lots of folks maybe doing stuff like making a bonfire when they shouldn't," she said. Sharp also thinks the upgrades will make Long Lake more inclusive. "There's not a lot of places that are accessible for folks that maybe have mobility challenges," she said. Paquet says he has been advocating for upgrades to make Long Lake more accessible for years. As he gets older, he's finding it harder to walk the narrow, root-strewn paths around the lake. "As you get older, it might be nice to have a little more ease of access." Nikki Krocker is one of the early morning swimmers who brave the lake's cool water before the daytime crowds arrive. She says the peace and quiet draws her to the lake in the mornings and that she likes that the area is undeveloped. She says she doesn't need to use the new facilities herself. "Part of what I like about this is that I can get away from people and things, so that's not something I would need, but that doesn't mean it's not something many other people would need and really benefit from." Krocker hopes that the city takes users' needs into consideration when planning the project's construction and design. If the project goes ahead, construction is expected to start in 2026 and be completed by 2028. The public will not be able to access the construction area during that time, but other access points to the lake will remain open. The public can provide feedback on the proposal on YESAB's website until July 8.
New York Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Trump Executive Order Creates Commission to Open Protected Public Land
President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday establishing a Make America Beautiful Again Commission to 'promote responsible stewardship of natural resources while driving economic growth' on historically protected public land. The commission, to be chaired by Doug Burgum, the interior secretary, and composed of top federal officials and cabinet secretaries, will expand access in parks and forests 'while promoting a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities like hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, climbing, boating, off-roading, and wildlife viewing,' the order says. It notes that in 2023, the recreation economy supported five million jobs. The action comes as the Trump administration has pushed to open vast areas of public land and federal waters, reversing climate policies enacted by the Biden administration that restricted drilling, mining and other activities across public lands and federal waters. The administration announced plans in June to eliminate federal protections across millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness, which would allow drilling and mining in some of the last remaining pristine wilderness in the country. In April, the administration opened thousands of acres of land in Nevada and New Mexico to oil and gas drilling and hard-rock mining. Mr. Trump maintains that climate change is a hoax and has signed a barrage of executive orders to promote fossil fuels and withdraw support for renewable energy. The executive order said that 'conservation and economic growth go hand in hand' and that by boosting the outdoor recreation economy and promoting activities like hunting, fishing and hiking, 'America can preserve its natural beauty and expand outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations.'
