Wednesday, April 29, 2020

COVID 19 Update: Extending Cancellations & Offering Virtual Opportunities-BTA letter.




Helping our communities stay safe and connected.
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Dear Bruce Trail Conservancy Members,

Over the last few weeks, I have had many conversations with members about the closure of the Bruce Trail. I understand how significant the Trail is in all our lives - how much we all miss the exercise, mental health benefits, and access to nature.

We acknowledge the difficulty of staying at home and the impact it has on our lives. But we’re confident that extending our cancellations of events and organized hikes until June 30 is the best way for all of us – hikers, volunteers, and our local communities – to stay safe and reduce the impact on our health system.

In addition, the Bruce Trail Conservancy has over 700 handshake agreements with private landowners that are critical for the connectivity of our conservation corridor.  Many of these essential stakeholders have politely requested hikers stay away during the pandemic. The Bruce Trail Conservancy respects these wishes, and we ask the same of you.

As we continue to work together to support public health officials and the wishes of our landowners, I want to share with you the latest measures the BTC is taking.
 

Extending our Cancellations & Closures

  • All BTC and Club in-person events and organized hikes are suspended until June 30.
     
  • Everyone is asked to continue to stay off all areas of the Bruce Trail until further notice; the Bruce Trail is closed.
     
  • Our Dundas office remains closed as required by law via the provincial shutdown.  Employees continue to be reachable by email and phone.
 

Connecting, Sharing & Learning Virtually


The BTC is working hard to find innovative ways to keep our member community engaged and connected. We have found new ways to connect to nature.

Our spring webinar series for members filled within 24 hours of its announcement, but I am happy to report that we have been able to increase the capacity and spaces are now available for the upcoming webinars:

Future webinars are in the works and will be listed on the Events section of our website as they are confirmed. If you have an idea for a BTC webinar speaker or a topic, let us know by sending an email to communications@brucetrail.org.

I also invite you to “Share your Bruce Trail Story” – an initiative we launched in the spring issue of Bruce Trail Magazine.  Now, more than ever, we are craving connection to each other, to the natural world, and to all those things that are important to us. Stories can help us make those connections and help us get through these difficult times. Learn more on our website here and submit your story today. We look forward to sharing them.

I send special thanks to volunteers in our Bruce Trail Clubs for their adaptability and creativity in response to this crisis. And thank you to all who have chosen to renew your membership, make a donation, and show your support during this time.

All of us are craving a great reunion with nature and the Trail.  I look forward to seeing many of you on the Trail when the time comes.  Until then, please take care of each other, stay home and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Michael McDonald
CEO


For updates, frequently asked questions, and events affected by COVID-19, visit our COVID-19 Updates page.


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