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Society to complete trail strategy

Following in the footsteps of many B.C. communities, the Sunshine Coast Trails Society (SCTS) will be overseeing the process of completing a Crown land recreational trail strategy over the next two years.

Following in the footsteps of many B.C. communities, the Sunshine Coast Trails Society (SCTS) will be overseeing the process of completing a Crown land recreational trail strategy over the next two years.

The main goals of the written trail strategy are to create an inventory of Crown land recreational trails and, through public consultation, identify main trail networks. The strategy is an important first step in identifying which trails the community sees as important and valuable recreational assets to protect, to manage and to be considered in future forestry plans.

The first major funder to come forward to support the trail strategy initiative is the Sunshine Coast Community Forest (SCCF) with the amount of $22,000.

The SCCF decision to fund the trail strategy initiative falls under its community objective of supporting outdoor recreation economic development.

A 2007 study from the Mountain Bike Tourism Association found that trails in the Sea to Sky area generated $10.3 million in tourism economic revenue over a three-month period (June to September). The SCTS is hoping that additional funders will support the project and applications are underway with the Sunshine Coast Regional District with the grant-in-aid program and the Western Canadian Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

The SCTS is a non-profit society whose membership includes various trail user groups and individual members. The purpose of the society is to facilitate the development and management of a sustainable trail network for the Lower Sunshine Coast for educational, recreational, economic, social and environmental benefit to the public, and to do so collaboratively through community partnerships. A recent initiative completed by the SCTS in affiliation with the District of Sechelt is the completion of the Chapman Creek portion of the Suncoaster Trail.

As the plan for the strategy unfolds, the SCTS hopes that all trail users and stakeholders will participate in giving input that will shape the content of the document.

Look for ads in the newspaper and announcements in the community calendar for scheduled community meetings around the trail strategy.

For more information, see sctrails@dccnet.com.

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