Brant Waterways Foundation

Thanks to our friends at Mystique Marketing who gave us some tickets for next Sunday's Bulls & Bikes Stampede Days Show at the Paris Fairgrounds! We want to share with you! Stop by our tent today - Oct. 2nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We'll be at the lower gardens, beside the trails. Limited numbers and first come, first served. That's in addition to our other great give-aways, prize draws, kids' activities, photo booth and the stars of our Culture Days show: the winning entries ...of our Summer 2021 Photo Contest! https://culturedays.ca//ec6b487d-df40-44e4-821c-35f6305085 We look forward to see you on this beautiful fall day!

This Saturday, October 2nd is forecast to be a beautiful fall day - perfect for an outdoor Culture Days event in a lovely setting: Glenhyrst Art Gallery's lower gardens, adjacent to the trail. https://culturedays.ca//ec6b487d-df40-44e4-821c-35f6305085 Please join us between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for our outdoor photo gallery (featuring the winning entries of our summer photo contest), prize draws, give-aways, photo booth, kids' games and more!

Spring is in the air! Interested in learning a little watershed science? We have check-lists covering all the bird, and reptile and amphibian species, found in the Grand River watershed. Learn where this cool species, and others live: https://qoo.ly/3bcn6e .

Monday's sunset, photographed in a puddle on the trail.

Enjoy the warmer temperatures but take extra care around water bodies.

Please note that a section of the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail between Paris and Glen Morris in the County of Brant will be temporarily closed from March 2-5th and March 9-12th in order to undertake hazard tree maintenance along the trail. Trail closure signs will be posted on the section between Willow Street in Paris and Forbes Street in Glen Morris and access will not be permitted. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area between 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. daily while... the work is underway and to obey all posted signage so that crews may complete the work safely. Maintenance will include the removal of hazard trees along the trail. Most of the trees are dead or dying Ash species which pose a risk to the public. Where possible, trees that are removed as part of this maintenance work will be chipped or left on the forest floor where they will form new habitat and enrich the soil in the area as they decay. https://www.grandriver.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx

We are indeed lucky to have beautiful trails and plenty of great options for outdoor activity. Happy Family Day!

Here's a fun challenge to help make the most of these February days... Good luck - and feel free to share a few of your pics with us too!

Cross-country is a great winter activity. If you're looking to get out on some trails, the GRCA has three parks set up for cross-country skiing (see below). Note that equipment rentals are not available this year due to COVID.

Now - more than ever - the importance of our outdoor spaces to our mental health and wellness is recognized. Spending time in nature, even if it's only 20 minutes, has benefits. We our green spaces! #BellLetsTalk #MentalHealth

Want to learn more about environmental and conservation issues in the local Grand River watershed? The Grand River Conservation Authority is hosting a series of free webinars starting February 25, 2021. Topics include at-risk aquatic species, tree planting, tree diseases and invasive pests. The series wraps up on March 10, 2021 with a webinar on the Rural Water Quality Program and information about municipal grants for farm best management practices. You can register for the webinars via the Eventbrite link.

We couldn't have said it better! If, as the blog below suggests, you capture a photo while on one of the trails, feel free to share with us for posting on our page. As always, stay safe (dress for the weather, stay away from the edges of rivers and streams, and adhere to COVID-19 protocols) as you explore and enjoy!