What is a Trail Captain?
With 11 different trails to manage, we need local eyes and ears to help us keep the trails in tip top shape and to promote them. This is where our Trail Captains come into play.
Nathan Trainor
Trail Captain, Gairloch Trail
The main reason I volunteer as a trail captain is to be a steward of the land and encourage the public to get out in nature.
– Nathan Trainor
- Organize volunteers for cleanup events
- Hike the trail regularly to ensure a good hiking experience for others (remove fallen or dangerous trees, repair infrastructure, etc.)
- Ensure signage is accurate and not damaged
- Report trail conditions periodically to social media (Facebook > PEI Trail Reports)
- Promote trail throughout the community by word of mouth
Alana McKie
Trail Captain, Selkirk Forest
Being a trail captain is a great excuse for me to get out and enjoy our local trails!
– Alana McKie (far right of photo)
- Keeping an eye on the trail for maintenance needs
- Setting dates to organize volunteer sessions for cleanup
- Communicating trail damage and requests to the maintenance crew
- Keeping an eye on our resident beavers
- Promote trail by word of mouth
Sara Deveau
Trail Captain, Boughton River Trail
I love Boughton Trail in all seasons. It is a nice mix of soft and hardwoods and has a great variety of terrain. There are four loops on Boughton River Nature Trail so you can do up to 8.5 kms for a good challenge or maybe just do one loop with a young family. Each loop has a different feel to it! There is something for every age and stage and nothing makes me happier than seeing a young family there checking out the vibe!! In Spring there is a bounty of mayflowers and lovely Lady Slippers. And of course we love to kayak in Summer and Fall, and in Winter there is great snowshoeing!
“How do I love the Boughton River Nature Trail, let me count the ways!”
– Sara Deveau
Sara and her husband Dave hiked the Boughton River Nature Trail for years with family and friends. This evolved into a group of volunteers who just liked being on Boughton and got into the habit of general maintenance on a yearly basis.
“It is a natural fit really. We are close by and so many of our hiking friends will let me know if there is any changes on the trail like fallen trees etc etc!”
Brian Breneman
Trail Captain, Breadalbane Nature Trail
What I enjoy most about being a Trail Captain is time with other volunteers and meeting people on the trail.
– Brian Breneman
- Walk the trail particularly after a weather event
- Deal with down trees
- Post Fiona cleanup requirements
- Weed whipping
- Cow parsnip is a concern due to potential allergic reaction so typically do the entire trail late May, early July and late August
Some of the activities of a Trail Captain
- Report issues along their section of the trail
- Organize and facilitate events, put out signs along the trail advertising trail events, getting sponsors…
- Participate in regular trail-wide events
- Promote trail events to neighbours