Columbia Basin Trust is paving a path to trailkeeping summer jobs in East Kootenay–
A $389,400 grant from the Basin Job Experience Trail Crews Program will go towards developing people’s skills in trail building, carpentry and chainsaw use across the region.
“Trail crews funded through this program complete a variety of projects,” said Justine Cohen, Senior Manager of Special Initiatives at the Trust. “Anything from rehabilitating damaged trails after heavy weather events like heavy rains or extreme heat, to refurbishing trail surfaces to make sure they’re accessible and safe.”
Cranbrook’s trail network spans 2,000 hectares and sees an average of 600 daily users. The Cranbrook Community Forest Society will hire five workers to repair erosion, remove hazardous trees, install safety signage and improve trail features.
“We are a 100 per cent volunteer-run group, so this support eases a huge burden,” said Jim Nicol, board member of Cranbrook Community Forest Society, in a release. “A paid crew allows us to get critical work done, making our trails safer and more enjoyable while providing job opportunities for local workers.”
The Forest Society joins Fernie Trails Alliance Association, Kimberley Nordic Club and Kimberley Trails Society in receiving more than a fifth of this year’s funding, which would create a total of 16 seasonal jobs.
Since 2018, the Trust has invested $5.6 million to support Basin trails.
