News

SIMCOE, FEBRUARY 15, 2017 – Are you looking for some free family fun on the long weekend in February? Pathways for People volunteers are heading to Backus to check out some of the woodlot trails on Sunday, February 19^th at 2pm. You should come too.

“Each time we organize one of these walks, we find there’s no shortage of places to choose in Norfolk County. And every trail offers a different experience,” said Gordon Mason, chair of Norfolk Pathways for People. “And yes, we’ve been to Backus before but this is the first time we’ll be exploring the trail in the southeast corner of Hwy 24 and the East Quarter Line Road.”

The Backus Woods are now under the ownership of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). The NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Backus Woods is widely regarded as the finest example of mature Carolinian forest remaining in Canada and a well-known biodiversity hotspot.

“Recently the NCC has upgraded and expanded the trail system here and installed new interpretive signs to provide visitors with information about some of the wildlife and plants they’ll see and hear while using the various mapped trails,” says Kristen Bernard, program director – Southwestern Ontario. Bernard will join the walk and be available to answer any questions about the NCC and Backus.

As part of Norfolk Pathways for People’s mission to promote pathways for walking and cycling in Norfolk County for health, recreation and active transportation, the coalition hosts two trail events each year to showcase the county’s extensive trail system.

“Our coalition does a lot of behind the scenes advocacy work to support improvements to Norfolk County’s trails and roadways that allow for safe walking and cycling for all ages and abilities. Last November, Council adopted the Integrated Sustainable Master Plan, which includes an Active Transportation Strategy,” said Mason. “These trail events allow us to connect with the public to talk about our other activities.”

Mark your calendar. See you Sunday, February 19^th for a 2 p.m. start. There is a small parking lot just 300m south of Hwy 24 on the East Quarter Line Road. Please consider carpooling. If there happens to be snow on the ground, bring your snowshoes.

For more information about the trail walk, contact Michele Crowley at the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit at 519-426-6170 ext. 3239 or at [email protected] or visit www.norfolkpathways.ca.

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Michele Crowley
Health Promoter, Community Health Team
Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
Ext. 3239 at either 519-426-6170 or 905-318-6623
[email protected]