The Ganaraska Forest is pleased to announce the creation of a brand new snowshoe trail in the Central Forest. Due to the increasing popularity of this winter sport, users have requested more and longer trails. As a result, the existing 2.5-kilometer trail has been lengthened to allow for a longer trek through the forest. The former Skate Ski trail, for which there has been very little recent demand, has now been converted into an extension of the existing snowshoeing trail, adding a further 5.5 kilometers. At the point where the two trails converge, snowshoers can then choose to do the short loop or the new, longer, 8-kilometer loop. Snowshoeing is covered under the Hiking Membership category and equipment rental is available to the public for $15.00 (includes HST) per pair, per day. 

Please note the following closure dates: December 23rd, 2014 - January 4th, 2015, and Feb. 16 (Family Day). Members should be aware that trail use is at their own risk during this time and staff will not be available. To obtain a forest pass, the self-serve payment option is available at the Ganaraska Forest Centre Gate House.

A perennial favourite, the Family Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe Day is scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2015. For $20 per person, participants receive an introductory lesson from the GRCA's certified instructors, followed by a guided ski on the forest's groomed and track-set trails. Make a day of it and add snowshoeing to the adventure, for free *. All equipment is provided and Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015 has been set aside as an alternate day, in case of poor weather conditions on the 24th. Pre-registration for either the 9:30 am or 1:00 pm session is required by calling 905-885-8173. *Refundable equipment deposit is required.

Well look no further! The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, in partnership with local municipalities, assists local residents with technical advice as well as offers financial assistance to landowners to undertake environmental projects on their properties. The Clean Water-Healthy Land Financial Assistance Program helps to offset the cost of projects at a rate of 50% to a maximum cap of $2,500.00. Eligible activities include a variety of tree planting projects, agricultural best management projects, habitat enhancement and well upgrades and decommissions.

Since 2007, the Clean Water-Healthy Land Financial Assistance Program has paid out over $310,000 to support over 250 conservation and stewardship projects within the local watershed. The GRCA works in partnership with other stewardship programs such as the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program and Trees Ontario Foundation to ensure landowners receive the maximum funding assistance available. It is never too early to start thinking about tree planting projects, so plan ahead for the spring of 2015!

The 26th Annual OFAH/Ganaraska Forest Centre Conservation Dinner takes place in April 2015 at the Cobourg Lion's Community Centre. Don't miss out, as this exciting fundraiser in support of the Ganaraska Forest Centre's outdoor education program, is almost always a sold-out event. The dinner committee can always use extra hands. If you, or someone you know, would like more information on how to get involved, please contact Linda Laliberte, Chair of the Dinner Committee, at 905.885.8173 or [email protected].

Tickets for the annual fundraiser will be available mid-December and in advance only. For just $70.00, we welcome you to join us for an evening of excellent food, exciting live and silent auctions, great raffles, door prizes, and good company! Call today for more information.

The Source Protection Plans for the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Region have been approved by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. These plans, effective on January 1, 2015, set out policies that will protect the water sources that supply 53 municipal drinking water systems within a planning region stretching from Algonquin Park to Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte; including the 6 drinking water systems within the Ganaraska Region Watershed. The plans are a requirement of Ontario's Clean Water Act, which was passed as a response to the Province's inquiry into the Walkerton drinking water tragedy.

The Source Protection Plans were developed over several years and are based on technical studies, collaborative policy development, and extensive public consultation. The process was guided by a Source Protection Committee made up representatives from municipalities, business, industry, First Nations, landowners, and other stakeholders.

"We are proud of the work of our team of twenty-eight members of the Source Protection Committee and our regional Source Protection Staff in achieving this goal," said Jim Hunt, Chair of the Source Protection Committee. "Our work with our municipal partners and the province has enabled us to produce these comprehensive living documents which will serve to reduce risk to municipal drinking water systems through the introduction of policies designed to protect sources of municipal water supply. The process is collaborative and science-based and will provide ongoing protection for municipal source water by emphasizing minimizing the risk to water supplies from land use activities. We look forward to continuing with our partners into the future in our efforts to protect existing and future sources of Drinking Water."

Policies in the Source Protection Plans include a variety of approaches to manage and prevent risks to municipal drinking water. These approaches include education and outreach, the development of risk management plans, prohibitions of future instances of certain high-risk activities, land use planning, and monitoring. These policies will help to keep contaminants out of rivers, lakes, and groundwater aquifers that are sources of municipal drinking water.