Wildfire Threat Cancels Hiking Summit

We are sad to announce that the Hiking Summit was cancelled. It was meant to take place in Antigonish on June 2 to 4 with 200 people attending. On May 30, the Province of Nova Scotia announced all travel and activity in the woods was banned including hiking. Thanks to a good amount of rain, the ban was lifted on June 5, except for Shelburne County and anywhere evacuation orders are in place. The burn ban is still in effect province-wide. Please respect all restrictions. Details for next year’s Summit will be announced at a later date. 

Hike NS Job Opportunities

Hike Nova Scotia is hiring for the following positions with deadlines to apply of June 11 and July 16: Trail Corps Coordinator, Trail Support Coordinator and Project Officer. These positions will help Hike NS strengthen and expand its work. View the postings here.

Events, Webinars & Trainings

Learn more and register here: 

• June 14: Intro to Hiking webinar
• June 17-18: Field Leader - Hiking course, Hubbards
• June 20: NS Walks Walk Leader virtual training (register by June 19)
• June 20: Hike NS AGM online
• June 24-25: Field Leader - Hiking course, Sydney
• June 24-25: Navigation Maps & Compass course, Bedford
• June 28: Outward Bound Training Academy webinar
• July 4: Trails of Halifax Book Launch, Halifax

Call for Fall Guided Hikes & Walks

Deadline: August 11

Hike Nova Scotia invites groups across NS to partner with it on delivering fall guided walks from September to November 2023. Hike NS will help promote events and provide a how-to guide and trail prizes to giveaway. If your municipality, First Nation or organization can organize a walk (or already plan to host one), please register your event by August 11 for events between September 15 and November 19.

Register events here.

Trail Builders Network News

Funding Sources from Province 

There are a few sources of funding from the provincial government listed on our Trail Builders Network webpage. Scroll down to see the list. Of interest from the NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage are various trail funding programs as well as the Community ACCESS-ability Program.

Trail Building Workshops Reach 40 People

As of tomorrow, three of Hike NS’s Trail Maintenance workshops will have reached 40 people. Two more are coming in the fall!

Learn more about the Trail Builders Network.

Outward Bound Training Academy

Outward Bound’s Training Academy is fully funded by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program offered across Canada. Through this exciting opportunity Outward Bound is reimagining the outdoors to be more accessible, diverse, and inclusive for everyone. Program Highlights: free training; 18+ years old; mentoring and career support; different experience levels; gear included on outdoor field journeys; accommodation and food provided for participants during intensive programs.

Learn more here or check out our webinar about it on June 28.

Queer Gear Kits

In honour of Pride Month in June, MEC has created Queer Gear Kits and a grant to support 2SLGBTQIA+ community groups in getting more folks outside. The deadline for applications is June 30.

Learn more and apply here.

Protect Sandy Lake Regional Park

The Province’s Housing Task Force is targeting land at Sandy Lake Regional Park to solve the housing crisis. Please write/email/call your MLA, Housing Minister John Lohr, and the Premier and request that the Sandy Lake area be removed from the Provincial Housing Task Force's Special Planning Area list.

Learn more and take action here.