PROPOSED HUMES RIVER WILDERNESS AREA HIKING TRAIL ... filefeasibility of a hiking trail around the ras d’Or Lake. It is hoped that Victoria County might build on the vision of green

PROPOSED HUMES RIVER WILDERNESS AREA HIKING TRAIL

INFORMATION PACKAGE

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BACKGROUND

Located between the highlands and the sea, Victoria County is a land with majestic highland views where swift flowing rivers meet with sheltered beaches. The people are descendants of native Mi’Kmaq people, Scottish Highland settlers and immigrants from all over the world. They are anxious to showcase the wild and magnificent landscape called Cape Breton. Stealing a quote from Clarence Barrett in his book on the Cape Breton Highlands National Park “Among its rugged hills lie hidden waterfalls, valleys through forest temples, and windswept barrens of moss and heath”. What better way to showcase the landscape called Cape Breton, than building a trail that takes you up the early native trails, through areas farmed by early settlers and into a ravine of intact Acadian forest. The Humes River Wilderness Trail area is ideally suited to showcase the more wild aspect of the natural landscape of eastern Canada. Welcome to the Humes River Wilderness Hiking Trail.

Humes River Wilderness Trail

From the ecosystem of the Bras d’Or Lake to the rugged highlands of northern Cape Breton, Victoria County people have always felt close to nature, as is reflected in our logos. We are truly a county that is naturally connected.

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THE AREA Within Victoria County, 65,000 acres were protected under the Wilderness Protected Act in 1998 and another 100,000 acres are proposed to be protected in 2014/2015. The Cape Breton Highlands National Park has 126,000 acres located within the County. In all, 40 percent of the land mass of Victoria County is designated under Parks or Protected status. Victoria County residents would like to build on the benefits of having such a large area of Parks and Protected Land. The Bras d’Or Lake watershed area of the county was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 2006. The Biosphere Reserve designation is an international designation of recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for an area in the world which is deemed to demonstrate a “balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere". The Biosphere committee have done extensive consultation and research on the feasibility of a hiking trail around the Bras d’Or Lake. It is hoped that Victoria County might build on the vision of green and sustainable society and increase the economic and social impacts of the above mentioned ecological recognitions. We believe the construction of a hiking trail through the Humes River Wilderness Area will act as a catalyst for this vision.

EXISTING TRAILS IN VICTORY COUNTY In southern Victoria County we have few managed and promoted hiking trails. The most popular and promoted trail is Uisge Ban Falls located in New Glen (north of Baddeck). This trail is managed and maintained by the Dept of Natural Resources. A recent visit there on a Sunday afternoon, in September of 2014, showed more than 30 vehicles in the parking lot with upwards of 100 people on the trail. The North River Trail located within the North River Wilderness Area is maintained by the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment. Although more difficult and less well travelled, it is a beautiful trail. The Cape Breton Highlands National Park has numerous trails within Victoria and Inverness Counties. The trails are well maintained and promoted and provide a strong draw for locals and tourists. They play a significant part in the economy of the area.

THE PROJECT The proposed project is a back country hiking trail principally located within the recently designated Humes River Wilderness Area in southern Victoria County. The main trail would begin at Wagmatcook First Nation and run westerly for approximately 15 kilometres ending in Aberdeen, Inverness County at exit # 6 (turn off to Little Narrows) on the Trans Canada Highway. There will be shorter loops or sections at either end of the trail for less experienced hikers or those with time constraints.

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The short loop at the Wagmatcook end will include stops at two falls – the 25 foot McNaughton Brook Falls and the 60 Ft Humes River Falls. This loop will be 11.2 km in length. The shorter loop at the westerly end of the trail will include a 5.13 km hike up the MacPherson Brook as well as a longer hike of that includes MacPhersons Brook, a Bras d’Or Lake view from the Bucklaw barrens and a stop at MacPhedran Lake. The project will be an economic boost to the communities of Wagmatcook, Whycocomah and Baddeck. It will provide an opportunity for the residents of these communities to become more physically active. Those looking for a place to enjoy their retirement years, as well as young families, will see why this is a special place to settle.

Geology of the Humes River Wilderness Area The majority of the Humes River Wilderness Area is underlain by two geologic units: The Horton Group and basement rocks of the George River Metamorphic Suite. The western portion of the proposed trail route (Lewis Mountain Road to beyond MacPhedran Lake) is underlain by basement rocks of the Aberdeen Ridge Formation. These are part of the George River Metamorphic Suite. The Aberdeen Ridge Formation consists of grey, fine to medium grained, well banded quartzite interlayered with minor metasiltstone (Swantson, D.A., White, C.E. and Barr, S.M. 2010). Quartzite is hard and relatively resistant to weathering and the ridge will likely provide excellent viewplane opportunities. There are very nice waterfalls and scour pools in MacPherson Brook which parallels the Lewis Mountain Trail (old pioneer trail). The old grist mill, owned by J. Matheson as shown on the Church Map (1864) was located at one of the higher falls. A relic “cellar” can be seen between the trail and the brook at this site. Talus slopes can be seen on the east side of the trail beyond the grist mill. The Creignish Formation which is the basal unit in the Horton Group, consists of a brownish pebble conglomerate, arkosic sandstone and siltstone, with minor red sandstone and siltstone. Conglomerate exposures around the eastern rim of the Humes River Falls and at the several exposures encountered between the Falls and the access road behind Wagmatcook, all exhibit abundant coarse, rounded quartz pebbles. The Bucklaw Pluton outcrops in the northeastern part of the Aberdeen Ridge area (upper reaches of Morrison Brook). The lower reaches of Humes River are interesting due to the high frequency of boulders in the channel. This characteristic makes it very different from other rivers (Baddeck, Middle and Skye Rivers) on the western side of the Bras d’Or Lake. As Humes River flows out of a gorge carved into the highland terrain it crosses and cuts down into an old glacial sand and gravel floodplain. Some of the boulders in this deposit are too large to be moved by the river. As a result they can be seen lying indiscriminately over the river bed forming a “boulder garden”.

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Ecosystems and Forests Of The Humes River Wilderness Area The Humes River Wilderness Area is part of the Cape Breton Highlands Ecodistrict and the Keppoch Mountain Natural Landscape. The proposed trail through this wilderness area will ascend steep, well-drained forested slopes to a plateau that rises 300 - 450 m above sea level. Much of this plateau is forested, but in the vicinity of the proposed trail, there are extensive areas of exposed bedrock, affording a spectacular view of the Bras d’Or Lake.

The trail will be routed through one of the last, relatively large tracts of intact Acadian forests in the Bras d'Or Lake watershed. The majority of the forests on the plateau resemble the boreal softwood forests of more northern latitudes, with balsam fir and black spruce intermixed with white spruce and white birch. Wetter areas are dominated by black spruce and eastern larch, along with spongy Sphagnum mosses. This part of the plateau south of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park is one of few areas not managed intensively for pulpwood, providing an excellent opportunity to observe a boreal ecosystem.

Ringing the Highlands are steep slopes forested with long-lived shade tolerant hardwoods like sugar maple, beech and yellow birch. Yellow birch and balsam fir dominate where the steep

slopes level off and meet the Highlands plateau. On the lower slopes, sugar maple, beech and yellow birch prevail, along with scattered red oak, white ash, white birch, red maple, hemlock and white pine. Impressive stands of red spruce, eastern hemlock and white pine are found in some ravines.

The ecodistrict is a refuge for several rare plants, including curly grass fern (a small bog plant). Other notables are the pink lady’s slipper orchid, the giant rattlesnake plantain, and Canada yew. The area also provides habitat for endangered American marten and lynx, and at least three species of rare voles and shrews.

The ecodistrict has cold, late springs and snow cover lasts into May. Heavy snowfalls of about 347 cm are typical and the Highlands are subjected to some of the highest winds in the province.

Riverview along Humes River Trail

Pink Lady's Slipper Orchid

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TRAIL SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Section # 1: The proposed Humes River Wilderness Trail will begin in the First Nations Community of Wagmatcook. For the first couple of kilometers it follows an old public road that historically provided access (into the forests of Keppoch Highlands and Gairlock Mountain) for the native community and forest workers. This first portion of this section will be a multi - use trail and signage will indicate where the multi - use ends. This leg of the trail begins at Humes Rear which at one time was home to a couple of families. At present, no landowners live in the area and the old farms have reverted to forest. The trail will cross two private landowners – both owners fully support the construction of the trail. Within these private holdings, and a short distance off the old public road, is a waterfalls on McNaughton Brook. It is planned that McNaughton Brook Falls and Humes River Falls (Located within the Protected Area) will be part of the attractions that will form part of a shorter loop. The planners of this trail believe it is important to have short loops for those not able, or interested, in long hikes. To this end we are looking at acquiring a small parcel of land a couple of kilometers along the public road and west of the beginning of the trail. This location would be used for parking and maybe a pit privy. The public road is passable by vehicles but will require upgrade. Whereas it is a public road we are hopeful that the Dept. of Transportation will upgrade and maintain this access. Interpretive panels on this section would showcase the Mi’kmaq community at Wagmatcook

Section # 2: This section of trail runs through the Humes River Wilderness Area and is 2 km in length. At the end of this trail is the Humes River Falls which will be the signature location of the trail. It is believed that the section of trail from the Humes Rear public road to the Humes River Falls will be heavily used because of its close proximity to the community of Wagmatcook, the relative short distance to the falls, and the spectacular nature of the falls itself. Because of this envisioned heavy use, it is proposed that this section of trail should be constructed wider than the remainder of the hiking trail and the surface be graveled where necessary. One bridge is required on this trail about 1 km within the protected area and another bridge is required to cross the river at the falls. Interpretive panels will be placed at the Wilderness Protected Area boundary with description and restrictions. Interpretive panels at the falls will detail the height of the falls and geology of area. A rest area with picnic tables are planned at the base of the falls.

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Waterfalls on Humes River

Section # 3: Section # 3 runs from Humes River Falls to MacPhedran Lake and includes some of the most difficult landscape within the planning area. This section will be a dirt pathway. At least two bridges are required on this section. One of these bridges, which crosses the main Humes River tributary, drains a large area of watershed and may be difficult and costly to build. A trail will be built towards the north from this section to connect to the main forestry road heading into the Keppoch Highlands. This road is also a portion of the Trans Canada Trail system. Somewhere within this section we wish to identify a potential wilderness camping area. Although it is unlikely that development of the camping site will take place in the first phase of the trail construction – it is hoped that the overnight wilderness camping experience will be a unique experience for visitors to this trail. At MacPhedran Lake there will be a connector trail heading south towards the Trans Canada Highway and coming out near the old service station at Bucklaw. This trail will form the easterly portion of the short loop proposed for the western end of the trail. It may also be used as an in and out section for hikers who just want to hike to the lake and return. A rest area, interpretive panels and a short nature loop would be a consideration for MacPhedran Lake.

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Section # 4 The fourth section of the trail runs from MacPhedran Lake through high barrens of the Northside Mountains to the Lewis Mountain Road and down the road to the Trans Canada Highway. This section will be a dirt pathway. A highlight of this section will be a view of the Bras d’Or Lake from the high barrens that runs along a portion of this mountain range. The trail will run close to the boundary of the Protected Area where a number of viewpoints toward the south are available. Continuing westerly the trail will come on to the Lewis Mountain Road and will follow Lewis Mountain Road southerly along MacPherson Brook. This brook can best be described as charming, offering numerous spots to sit and enjoy a swiftly flowing rocky mountain stream. The foundation of an old grist mill is visible from the road - a perfect spot for an interpretive panel describing the life of the early pioneers who settled on Lewis Mountain.

This section from the Trans Canada to the grist mill location and return makes a perfect in and out hike of about 3 km. There is an existing parking area where the Lewis Mountain Road meets the Trans Canada at exit # 6. This parking area is on a portion of the original Baddeck to Whycocomagh old road and could easily be expanded to increase parking in the area. It also would be an ideal spot to have a large interpretive panel and map of the Humes River Wilderness Hiking Trail.

Water lilies and lily pads abound in the area

Small waterfall and scour pools on the Humes River

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Section Description Kilometers Extra Trails Section 1 Wagmatcook to Wilderness Area boundary 3.38

Section 2 Wilderness Area boundary to Humes Falls (includes 100 m North to Falls from main trail)

1.31

Section 3 Humes Falls to Jct. at MacPhedran Lake (includes 100 m South from Falls to main trail)

4.89

Section 4 MacPhedran Lake Jct. to Lewis Mt Road (direct route) and to the TCH

5.26

Loop 1 Wagmatcook to Humes Falls and back to Wagmatcook 11.2

MacNaughton Falls From Loop 1 into MacNaughton Falls and back to Loop 1 0.24

Loop 2 TCH along Lewis Mountain Road to hilltop back to TCH 5.13

Adjunct to TCH Jct. at MacPhedran Lake to TCH 1.81

TOTAL 14.84 18.38

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Important Trail Factors For Visitor Satisfaction And Promotion:

A study done in 1999 for the Nova Scotia Government (Prepared by GardnerPinfold Consulting Economists Limited) indicates the following regarding the promotion of hiking trails:

Trail information is required in brochures and signage

Information on available facilities (washrooms, drinking water).

Provide benches, picnic areas and rest stops.

Adequate signs to identify trailhead location at main roads.

More distance and direction markers on trails.

More interpretive information on trail signs specifically on trail features such as vegetation (flowers, orchids, trees, plants, mushrooms), wildlife (birds, animals, fish, animal tracks, frogs), human history, geology, and other rarities.

Make sure dead trees, brush, tree roots, and litter is removed from trail.

Maintain structures such as steps, railings.

Improve wet, eroded sections of trails using boardwalks, drainage works or surfacing materials such as gravel or wood chips.

Provide more ocean views and scenic views on trails.

Provide visitor information centres with more information on trails and packages provided to tourists.

Provide information on trail in Doers and Dreamers guide to Nova Scotia.

Advertise in local and Nova Scotia trail magazines.

Involve local community in trail promotion.

Provide trailhead information on other trail users bikes, atv’s, snowmobiles.

Require dogs to be on leash and encourage owners to pick up after their dogs.

Consider issues arising from overcrowding and plan for it.

Not considered in 1999 report – but - ensure advertising and a presence on social media such as a web page, Facebook, Twitter.

WHY THIS TRAIL WILL BE SUCCESSFUL The proponents of this trail believe it will contribute to the economic and social life of Cape Breton people and could become a destination trail for visitors to the island. The following attributes of the site will contribute to its viability: A) Location Humes River (Bucklaw) is located between the communities of Whycocomagh & Baddeck and on the Trans Canada Highway. These communities are the main service centres situated along the north shore of the Bras d’or Lake and on route to the Newfoundland ferry at North Sydney. Traffic studies carried out on the Trans Canada Highway indicate that about 3 cars per minute (over 4000 per day) travel on this section of highway.

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Infrastructure in Baddeck, Whycocomagh, and Wagmatcook includes, motels, restaurants, service stations, boat launches, campgrounds, grocery stores and bakeries. These facilities are within 15 km of the trail location. B) Access The 1999 Survey of Nova Scotia Trail Users indicated that “79 % of trail users reported that they were comfortable using a trail for four hours or less“. With this in mind we will develop short hikes at either end of the main trail. It is planned that shorter loops will break the trail into sections that will be manageable for all levels of experience and for those under time constraints. There will be a short connector trail to the Trans Canada Trail system. The trail begins and ends at public highways. C) Lack of Hiking Trails In northern Cape Breton, the Cape Breton Highlands National Park has some beautiful hiking trails. In southern Victoria County the only managed hiking trails are Uisge Ban Falls and the North River Trail. It is the hope of BNTA that the Humes River Trail would be the beginning of additional and extensive hiking trails throughout the area. D) Wilderness Area – A special place The majority of this trail will traverse the Humes River Wilderness Protected Area. Proclaimed in December 2014, this protected area covers an area of 9,000 acres. It encompasses one of the last relatively large tracts of intact Acadian forests in the Bras d’Or Lake watershed. With MacPhedran Lake, numerous rivers and brooks, high barrens, and beautiful falls at Humes River and MacNaughton Brook, this is an impressive location to showcase the wilderness areas of Cape Breton. E) Bras D’Or Lakes Biosphere Reserve The Bras d’Or Lakes Biosphere Reserve is dedicated to ensuring the ecological and economic sustainability of our region. The Biosphere reserve has researched the possibility of hiking trails throughout the Bras d’Or lake and watershed area. They are a strong supporter of the Humes River trail. See addition information on activities of the Biosphere Trails group further on in this report. F) Demographic Changes / Lifestyle Interests The population of Cape Breton has been decreasing for a number of years. However, Statistics Canada data indicates that there has been a significant increase in the numbers of people in the 50 plus age group who are choosing to live in the area. The culture, natural landscape, wildlife, birding, photography, heritage and history are part of the lifestyle seniors are seeking. Studies indicate that this age group are significant users of hiking trails.

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G) Health Benefits Governments recognize the benefits of an active lifestyle. Having managed trails, that are accessible to all ages and capabilities, and located close to communities, will contribute to maintaining a healthy population. The plan is to have the Humes River Wilderness Hiking Trail divided into loops of varied length and degree of difficulty. This will encourage people to “try it out” and build confidence that they can go the extra mile. The location of the Wagmatcook school at the end of the trail will encourage school officials to use the resources as a life style and fitness issue. It is easier to get students and adults moving if there is accessible and natural wilderness area to explore. H) Economic Driver Tourism surveys indicate that “almost 60 % of Nova Scotia’s current visitors seek out recreational walking opportunities while almost 20 % look for wilderness hiking experiences. Many believe this market demand, combined with Nova Scotia’s outstanding nature product, translates into economic opportunity." Discussions with area business owners, municipal and provincial representatives and tourism officials have all indicated that there is significant opportunity to attract people to the area with destination trails. We believe that the Humes River Wilderness Hiking Trail has the possibility of becoming a “must hike “ in eastern Nova Scotia. Economic data on the impact of trail users to the local economy is dated (1999 study). At that time the average spending per party for non - Nova Scotians was about $ 1210 for a party, coming from more than a 30 minute drive and about $90 for those within a 30 minute drive of the trail. We are researching more current data. General feeling is that more current data would reveal increased spending, as well as increased interest in wilderness hiking experience. Excerpt From the Ivany Report:

" Now or Never

If Nova Scotia’s economy were performing well today in providing jobs, sustaining

communities and supporting high quality public services, the wise advice would be to

stay the course and avoid major changes. But this is not our situation, nor does the

future outlook promise relief.

A province-building project is not dependent on government policies or the state the

world economy. It is about us; our courage, our imagination and determination to do

better.

We can do it ourselves.

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The economic and population challenges we now face in Nova Scotia, and

dramatically so in our rural regions, demand new vision, innovative approaches,

greater collaboration and a greater willingness to take on the risks associated with

economic change and progress.

We have the assets and opportunities. We need to decide what to do with them.

We must commit to transformation, because we can, and we must, do better.

For those who are prepared to reshape their actions to serve the interests of the

entire province – not just their firm, their institution or their community – this is

the time to come together to build a vision for a better future, and to work

together to achieve it."

The Ivany Commission called on all Nova Scotian’s to be a part of resetting the economy of Nova Scotia. The Biosphere Northeast Trails Association and Victoria County residents want to capitalise on the county’s large wilderness areas and strong tourism infrastructure and help fulfill goal # 14 of the Ivany report to “double the revenue generated by tourism within the Province”. The economy and lifestyle of Victoria County will be impacted by the success of this trail.

THE PATH FORWARD At the April 1, 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Biosphere Northeast Trails Association the members voted to have:

"The directors of the BNTA proceed with the planning, construction and management of the proposed Humes River Wilderness hiking trail between Exit # 6 at Aberdeen to the Wagmatcook First Nations community."

Pending the review and hopefully the acceptance of this report by the staff with Department of Environment the executive of BNTA plan to proceed in the following fashion:

1) The proposed trail location will cross two privately held parcels. BNTA will consult with two private landowners towards reaching an agreement to build a portion of the trail over these privately owned properties. The BNTA executive have spoken to these landowners prior to preparation of this report. Both property owners have expressed support for the concept of a hiking trail on their property and indicated that they would be comfortable with giving legal permission to BNTA to build and maintain a trail across their lands.

2) Hold public consultations to discuss the proposed trail. We propose to hold at least two public meetings within the immediate area of the trail location – one meeting in Whycocomagh and one meeting in Wagmatcook. A public meeting may also be held in Baddeck.

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3) Issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to carry out the following work:

a) Layout the main trail. Flag it and provide GPS points. b) Layout parking locations at each end of the trail. Provide size, construction and build

details, trailhead signs. c) Look at falls in the area; possible camping sites; scenic views and interesting flora and

fauna; identify areas for interpretive signs. d) Identify final location for potential shorter loops. e) Look at potential link to Trans Canada Trail. f) Develop a plan for construction and building of the trail; develop timelines, equipment

required and training of volunteers.

4) Priority will be given to work on loops 1 and 2. Located at either end of the trail, they are the easiest sections to access for construction purposes and will likely have the most hiking traffic. Some work may be carried out on these sections during the summer/fall of 2015. We expect the majority of the work on the remainder of the trail will be completed in the 2016 season.

5) An estimate of $10,000 per km is being utilized for construction costs. This estimate does

not include costs for construction of section # 2 to a gravel surface, nor does it include the cost of bridges that will be required on section # 3. More reliable costs will be determined once the final layout is finalized as outlined in the proposed RFP as noted in item # 3 above.

6) The BNTA will encourage its members and volunteers to assist in trail construction and

maintenance of the system. Consultants will be hired to provide expertise as required. It is anticipated that 2 seasonal employees will be required to maintain the trail.

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BRAS D’OR LAKE BIOSPHERE RESERVE ASSOCIATION

BLBRA support for the Humes River Walking Trail Prepared by Teresa MacNeil and Lynn Baechler

The Humes River Wilderness Trail proposed by the Biosphere Northeast Trails Association is an exciting piece of the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Trail Project. This group of committed residents is planning a trail that will build on the merits of the recently designated Humes River Wilderness Area. The potential for a walking trail using portions of existing trails along with carefully planned new sections will take full advantage of such special features of the area as old-forest stands, waterfalls, archeological sites, and traditional ecological knowledge. Although the Humes River Trail is an independent initiative, it fits into a much bigger picture. One of the projects of the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association is to assist construction of a walking trail that will connect communities throughout the entire Bras d’Or Lake watershed. The Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve was designated by UNESCO in 2011 as one of more than 600 sites in the world where people are endeavoring to live in harmony with nature. Biosphere Reserves are not only about nature conservation, they are about people who work with the knowledge of their own surroundings to steadily discover sustainable ways of living. Support for conservation and biodiversity follows naturally from a community’s appreciation of its assets. The Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Association sees trail development, and its spinoff possibilities (B&B’s, cafes, outdoor equipment shops, etc.) as an important piece to a sustainable rural economy. The Biosphere Northeast Trails Association will proceed in a way that fits the aspirations and culture of the Baddeck/ Wagmatcook/ Whycocomagh area, recognizing that a trail is a place to connect with nature; a place to be active; and, a place to contribute to sustainable development. They are forming a vital link, not only between communities within the Bras d’Or Lake watershed, but by strengthening the very essence of the Biosphere Reserve itself. The result will increase national and international recognition of the Bras d’Or Lake community as a good place to live, work and visit.

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BIOSPHERE NORTHEAST TRAILS ASSOCIATION The Biosphere Northeast Trails Association (BNTA) will be the lead organization involved in building and maintaining the proposed Humes River Wilderness Trail. This group was incorporated on June 23, 2014 under the Nova Scotia Societies Act. The group is a volunteer, non - profit group who’s objectives are to “Build and maintain hiking and multi - use trails in northern Cape Breton (Inverness and Victoria Counties). At present the group directors are: Athol Grant - President Jonathan Saul - Vice President Stephen Kerr - Secretary / Treasurer Don Buchanan - Director Christopher Somerville - Director The registered office of the society is located at 106 Beverly’s Hill Road, Baddeck Inlet, Victoria County, Nova Scotia, B0E 1B0. The mailing address is Box 412, Baddeck, Nova Scotia, B0E 1B0 The office phone number is 902 295 1128 or you can contact Athol Grant, President at 902 295 8281 (cell). The BNTA is a registered member of the Nova Scotia Trails Association and has purchased General Liability and Trail Insurance through the NS Trails Association. The directors and membership of the group have a wide range of life, professional and business experience, but, as members of this group, we have not been involved in managing or constructing a hiking trail. We are prepared to learn as we go and hire professional guidance as required. The group has received strong support from the Municipality of the County of Victoria. Members of Victoria County staff including the Physical Activity Coordinator, Vince Forestall, the Director of Recreation and Tourism, Tom Wilson and Bruce Morrison, the Warden of the County of Victoria have been supportive of the efforts of BNTA. BNTA has received support from the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve. A working group with BLBRA has carried out extensive research on the idea of a hiking trail around the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere. This group held numerous public meetings and prepared a report and mapping regarding the possibilities. We are pleased to have a member of that group, Lynn Baechler, on our trails working committee. ( See above report from BLBRA – Teresa MacNeil and Lynn Baechler). The Council and staff of the First Nations Community of Wagmatcook have expressed their support for the Humes River Wilderness Trail. Terry Bernard, Physical Activity Coordinator for Wagmatcook is a member of our trail planning committee and is excited about the possibilities the trail will offer to the community. The trail ends at the new school in Wagmatcook and will present a great opportunity to encourage physical activity for youth and adults. Terry is also

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hopeful that the First Nation community can become involved in the construction and maintenance of the trail. The proponents of this project see this as an opportunity to make the most of our assets in Victoria County; using our imagination, courage, and determination to do better Other support within the community is coming from local businesses - campgrounds, restaurants, motels, grocery stores and breweries all see it as being a positive influence on the area. The local snowmobile and ATV associations have offered their support and members of these groups have become members of BNTA .

The Humes River Wilderness Hiking Trail Project submitted by