Podcasts about Trans Canada Trail

Brenden Blotnicky, Manager of Trail Development & Volunteers for Trans Canada Trail, joins us to explore how one of the world's longest recreational networks comes to life, and thrives. From early-morning runs along the salt marshes of Nova Scotia to coordinating national trail expansions and volunteer programs, Brenden brings both heart and strategy to a job that connects communities across Canada. In this episode, we dig into his path to trail stewardship, how his background in environmental management shapes his work, and the real-world impact of support from Athletic Brewing's Two for the Trails program. Brenden also shares the lessons he's learned from volunteers, the biggest challenges of scaling a national trail system, and why he believes the future of sustainable recreation starts with community. While you're listening, dreaming of being out on a trail or your next adventure, crack open a cold Athletic brew!

Conflicts between motorized vehicles (ATVs, dirt bikes) and non-motorized users (cyclists, hikers) present ongoing challenges for multi-use trails – particularly when the trail spans almost 30,000km! Trails BC Director Léon Lebrun shares his 29-year journey with the Trans-Canada Trail, revealing how this ambitious project went from concept to reality while still facing significant challenges in British Columbia. We also explore the evolution of trail management from grassroots engagement to centralized control, with Léon advocating for a return to more local involvement and partnership. You can find out about the Trans Canada Trail and other BC Trails at TrailsBC.ca. To get involved contact Léon at LebrunL@telus.net.***********************************************The Bike Sense podcast with Peter Ladner is produced by the BC Cycling Coalition – your voice for safer and more accessible cycling and active transportation in British Columbia. Got feedback or ideas for future episodes? Please drop us an email at admin@bccycling.ca.IMPORTANT: membership in the BCCC is now FREE! To find out about BCCC's projects and add your voice to the chorus please visit BCCycling.ca

In this episode, trail runner Chrissy Cusack shares her journey from a novice to an accomplished trail runner, recounting her first race experience and the lessons learned along the way. She discusses her transition to longer distances, including her first ultra marathon, and the challenges that come with it. Chrissy also highlights her role as the coordinator for community development with the Trans Canada Trail, emphasizing the importance of volunteerism and community engagement in maintaining the trail network. The conversation wraps up with her favorite sections of the trail and the impact it has on communities across Canada.

Originally released January 23, 2024. New Kindred episodes will drop starting in April 2025. In this week's episode, we speak with long-haul hiker and adventurer Melanie Vogel. Melanie is the first woman to walk the Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational trail in the world.  She walked from the Atlantic Ocean across and up to the Arctic Ocean, then down and over to the Pacific Ocean. Nearly 21,000 kilometers. Solo. Melanie's story is one of unexpected connections, harrowing experiences, brutal weather, stunning beauty, finding a soul mate, finding oneself, and the slow and emerging awareness of what it is to be human. We were spellbound by her story of letting go of fear, anxiety, and control that we carry in our daily lives, and emerging as her true self - more than she had ever felt before. And this story holds, to date, my most favorite meet-cute. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn have nothing on this one.  Please rate and review us! And share this episode with your people. It's an incredible story for so many reasons and we'd love to hear what you loved about it. Lots of Love. Show Notes: Instagram: @explorermelvogel https://tctrail.ca/news/melanie-vogel/

Join us for an enlightening exploration of Canada's breathtaking Trans-Canada Trail, spanning an astonishing 29,000 kilometers of interconnected beauty from coast to coast. This episode dives deep into the intricacies of one of the world's longest multi-use trails, connecting hikers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts with the vibrant landscapes and unique ecosystems that Canada has to offer. Featuring insights from Stacey Dakin, Chief Program Officer, we unveil how this trail fosters community connections and brings diverse groups together through shared outdoor experiences.Learn about the successes and challenges in maintaining these trails, including addressable issues like accessibility for all, weather considerations, and amenities available to ensure safe and enjoyable adventures. We also cover exciting programs and events encouraging people to embrace nature during all seasons, engaging families and individuals alike in unforgettable outdoor experiences. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a curious newcomer, this episode promises to inspire and motivate you to explore the natural beauty of Canada. Join us in celebrating the connection between wellness, nature, and community. Don't forget to follow us on social media and subscribe for more insights!Come see us at the Toronto Sportsmen's Show for meet and greets, contests, merch, and an opportunity to be featured in the 40th Anniversary Season of The Fish'n Canada Show!Purchase tickets for the Toronto Sportsmen's Show and get 15% off using our link: https://tickets.mpltd.ca/?event=100069&fishncanada

After spending six years walking, cycling and paddling across Canada along the Trans Canada Trail, Canadian filmmaker, Dianne Whelan, created her 2023 documentary, 500 Days in the Wild. In the film, Whelan remarks on the beauty of the trail and its power to connect people to each other and nature. She joins Evan to share more about her journey.

The Trans Canada Trail is the longest multi-use trail system in the world, and it's always growing. The latest expansion will see 850 kilometres on the Great Northern Peninsula become part of the national trail network. The provincial government supports the move because it wants to improve outdoor recreation options for rural residents. Mathieu Roy is the CEO of the Trans Canada Trail, and he spoke with the CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

On Episode 174 of the show, we have the extraordinary Dianne Whelan joining us—a filmmaker, author, adventurer, and storyteller who embodies the spirit of exploration and resilience. Known for her award-winning documentaries like This Land and 40 Days at Base Camp, Dianne's work takes us to some of the planet's most remote and awe-inspiring places.In 2015, she began a solo journey on the Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational trail in the world, covering an epic 24,000 kilometers. What started as a physical challenge evolved into a deeply personal and spiritual odyssey, culminating in her acclaimed documentary, 500 Days in the Wild. Her stories intertwine adventure, nature, and Indigenous wisdom, shedding light on the human connection to the environment and each other.Whether she's trekking through the Arctic, paddling a remote Canadian river, or bushwhacking thru black fly infested muskeg swamps, Dianne Whelan's unique perspective invites us to see the world—and ourselves—in a new way. This was remarkable conversation with a remarkable Canadian.Before we listen to my conversation with Dianne, please take a moment to give us a review…hopefully 5 star, wherever you listen to podcasts. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventureaudio/support

This episode of the Spatial Report will focus on two ArcGIS products designed to make your GIS workflows easier.  First, your hosts Maggie Samson and Mark Ho go beyond your typical spreadsheets, charts and graphs by learning how to create maps with ArcGIS for Microsoft 365 with our resident super fan, Mike Gregotski. Then our ArcGIS Online GeoGeek, Brandon Wheatley, will help us make changes to our data with ArcGIS Web Editor.  Rundown 0:00 – Introduction 1:22 – What's Making Us Mappy 5:24 – Inside the Arc: ArcGIS for Microsoft 365 17:17 – The GeoGeeks: ArcGIS Web Editor 28:13 – M versus M   What's Making Us Mappy - Our hosts share one cool thing that is catching their eye in the world of ArcGIS Mark is excited that GIS Day in Canada (November 19) and GIS Day (November 20) are fast approaching. These days highlight all the great work our user community is doing using GIS to solve real-world problems. The Esri Canada event will feature Dianne Whelan as our keynote speaker – she traversed the entire length of the Trans Canada Trail!  Incredible!  GIS Day in Canada will also feature three esteemed members of this podcast!  Alison O'Brien, Sue Enyedy, and our co-host Maggie Samson will present technical topics to close out the big day.  Maggie returns to her roots (sort of) as she shouts out the Esri Support AI Chatbot. That's right!  More AI.  This time it's here to help our users find answers to many of their technical questions.  The technical support team created this chatbot to allow you to ask conversation questions to help initially guide them in the right direction, providing answers and links to Esri content including documentation and blogs.  It's now available on the Esri website or via the Esri Support App.  And yes, it's available to both our French and English users (40 languages in fact).  It may not solve everything difficult problem, but this is a fantastic tool to get your discovery journey started.   Inside the Arc - Feature interview that takes our audience inside an Esri product or capability We use Microsoft 365 all the time as a part of our daily workflows: from building spreadsheets in Excel, managing content with SharePoint, and collaborating with our co-workers on Teams. But did you know you can bring these business apps to life by adding interactive maps? Incorporating ArcGIS intelligence inside Microsoft has never been simpler. To tell us more about how to connect Microsoft software with Esri's mapping capabilities, we are joined by our colleague Mike Gregotski. He's plugged into the world of ArcGIS for Microsoft 365. The GeoGeeks - Rotation of Esri Canada panelists share what's new in ArcGIS technology Recently Esri introduced the ArcGIS Web Editor, a web-based tool enabling GIS data editing and maintenance in a simple-to-use interface. Performing common spatial and attribute edits through a browser opens new doors as you can create and modify your authoritative data from anywhere. And it's available for both ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise users. Brandon Wheatley, our ArcGIS Online GeoGeek, gives us an overview of this editing app, including some new features coming to the editor in upcoming releases.   M versus M - Our hosts quiz each other about all things ArcGIS and GIS Maggie leads this edition of the geography game show with the most.  And this time she reflects on her recent vacation to Ireland!  She bombards Mark with questions about filming locations for movies and TV shows on the Emerald Isle.  Of course, Mark has no clue about anything Irish or entertainment, but he does attempt to guess as best he can.   For more information Visit our website See our full interviews and GeoSnaps on the Esri Canada YouTube channel  Stay up-to-speed on products and developments affecting you in our blog, Getting Technical  Have a podcast idea? E-mail us at spatialreport@esri.ca   Hosts Maggie Samson, Product Specialist, ArcGIS Online at Esri Canada Mark Ho, Technical Solutions Specialist at Esri Canada

Mathieu Roy brings more than 20 years of experience and a strategic, innovative mindset to his role as Chief Executive Officer with Trans Canada Trail. As a professional engineer with the Order of Engineers of Quebec, Mathieu co-founded and led his own environmental consulting firm, where he brings a wide range of both leadership and hands-on experience to the organization. Mathieu joined Trans Canada Trail in 2017 as Vice-President, Chief Trail Experience Officer. In this role, he led trail operation and development, and helped execute Trans Canada Trail's $30-million funding relationship with Parks Canada and $55-million agreement with the federal government. Mathieu lives close to the La Montagnarde section of the Trans Canada Trail, which he explores on his bike in summer and on skis in winter. About Trans Canada Trail The Trans Canada Trail (the Trail) is the longest recreational trail in the world, spanning over 28,000 kilometres on land and water. Linking three oceans – the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic – the Trail connects 15,000 rural, urban and Indigenous communities across every province and territory. It is a ribbon that connects Canada's diverse landscapes, seasons, people and experiences, and fosters unity, collaboration and connectedness. Trans Canada Trail is a registered charity and stewards this national trail in collaboration with local trail partners. With funding from the Government of Canada through Parks Canada, and investments from all levels of government and generous donors, Trans Canada Trail is the largest investor in trail infrastructure projects in Canada, supporting improvements, growth and enhancements for generations to come. tctrail.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We check in on the progress of the Coastal Link Trail. It will connect the Trans Canada Trail with the East Coast Greenway in the U.S.

Dianne Whelan is an award-winning Canadian Documentary filmmaker, and accomplished photographer, artist, storyteller, author and public speaker. Dianne has written, directed, and produced two award winning films, a three-part series for CBC, a Gemini-nominated interactive website, written two books and has exhibited her photographs in numerous art galleries in her 30-year career. In August 2021 she completed the land and water trails of the 24,000km Trans Canada Trail and is the first person to do so. The journey is the subject of film project 500 Days in the Wild, and will be the story of her next book. www.diannewhelan.com www.500daysinthewild.com www.beaconprojectfilms.com Stay connected with Dianne on Instagram @500daysinthewild for a visual journey through the making and release of her latest feature documentary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Former Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, Jerry Ouellette, who takes us on his fascinating journey with chaga, a health-boosting fungus. We also welcome Patrick from the Ontario Trails Council, who shares his passion for promoting trail use across Ontario and his personal connection to the Bay of Quinte. Explore Ontario's vast trail system with insights into gravel biking, winter biking, and challenging mountain biking terrains. Learn the differences between managed and unmanaged trails and the importance of trail insurance and municipal roles in maintenance. We'll also highlight Ontario's longest trails, like the Trans-Canada Trail and the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, and discuss the collaborative efforts of smaller communities in building these trail networks.As we turn our attention to trail etiquette and safety, we offer essential gear tips for beginners, the importance of protective gear, and practical advice for staying safe.

Dianne Whelan was at a turning point in her life when she decided to travel across Canada — by bike, canoe and snowshoe — along the Trans Canada Trail. In February she spoke to Matt Galloway about what she learned and her documentary, 500 Days in the Wild.

For our next installment of recordings from the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Speaker stage, welcome to Sustainability in Sport. This topic is huge: with more and more runners finding their first start line, ensuring that race events can be around for years to come is more vital than ever. Canada Running Series's guru of green, Jen Cerullo, introduces Tina Muir, author of Becoming a Sustainable Runner: A Guide to Running for Life, Community and Planet. Tina speaks with Mike Hurley (Trees for Life), Jeff Packer (Carbon Neutral Club) and Ainsley Munro (Trans Canada Trail). This session is full of real talk and a focus on how the accumulation of the actions we take when we have the opportunities to make choices are what make the biggest impact. So snuggle up with your signed copy of Tina's book and join me back at the speaker stage to find out what we can do to keep our earth ready for all generations.  Follow our guests on Instagram: Tina Muir @tinamuir88 Carbon Neutral Club @carbonneutralclub Trans Canada Trail @transcanadatrail Trees For Life @cdntreesforlife   EPISODE SPONSOR: The Vancouver Half Marathon may be sold out, but spaces still remain in the 5k, taking place on June 23, 2024. All the fun packed into a shorter distance.  The Under Armour East Side 10 on September 22, 2024, is also filling fast: this iconic race runs through the historic east side of Vancouver. Double up and run the Vancouver Special Challenge: complete a virtual and an in-person 10K for bonus swag. Go to www.canadarunningseries.com to register    --- Theme music: Joseph McDade

487 trails, part of the Trans Canada Trail, can tell an important story about Canada, its history and its people. Dianne Whelan is a filmmaker, photographer, author, and public speaker. She spoke at The Walrus Talks Nature on March 19, 2024.This episode of The Conversation Piece features content from Manulife presents The Walrus Talks Nature, supported by Trans Canada Trail. To register for upcoming events happening online or in a city near you, and to catch up on our archive of The Walrus Talks, visit thewalrus.ca/events.And subscribe to The Walrus Events newsletter for updates and announcements, at thewalrus.ca/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Indigenous people's relationship to land forms an “ontological belonging.” Their spiritual beliefs connect them to the land and to all things of nature. Carolynne Crawley is the founder of Msit No'kmaq, co-founder of Turtle Protectors, and a Forest Therapy Guide. She spoke at The Walrus Talks Nature on March 19, 2024.This episode of The Conversation Piece features content from Manulife presents The Walrus Talks Nature, supported by Trans Canada Trail.To register for upcoming events happening online or in a city near you, and to catch up on our archive of The Walrus Talks, visit thewalrus.ca/events.And subscribe to The Walrus Events newsletter for updates and announcements, at thewalrus.ca/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 28 2024-Crossing the Trans Canada Trail at 50 & Preparing Your Lawn The first person to cross the Trans Canada Trail: 500 DAYS IN THE WILD, a documentary by the award-winning filmmaker Dianne Whelan who spent six years crossing the entire 24,000 kilometre Trans Canada Trail, mostly alone. She began in St. John

The ability to ride your bike off highway and jog or walk safely along a 15 km paved pathway between Lethbridge and Coaldale is something the LINK Regional Pathway Society is working towards. And they have the support of the City and Lethbridge County, St. Mary Irrigation District (SMRID) and the Town of Coaldale. The society has been working on a vision to connect the Henderson Lake area with the Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale using the SMRID canal easement running through irrigated farm land. The total cost of the project, including picnic shelters along the pathway, will be more than $5 million, of which $2 million has been raised so far. It is hoped that within a few years, enough money will be found to complete this pathway, which recently received Trans Canada Trail designation. Construction of the pathway from Coaldale to Hwy 512 started in the fall of 2023 and should be ready for use this year. Funding is also in place to complete crossing under Hwy 512 and further along past Vista Meadows. The speakers will articulate the LINK Regional Pathway Society's plans for this exciting, but challenging project and argue that active living options such as this pathway, are increasingly important for our mental and physical well-being. Speakers: Henry Doeve and Alvin Fritz Henry Doeve moved to Coaldale from Agassiz, BC in 1981 to operate a dairy farm. Together with his family he ran that farm for 36 years retiring from the dairy industry in 2017. Henry has been an active member of the Southern Alberta community for 20 years, serving on many community boards and among them, Lethbridge County Councilor from 2007 until 2017. Henry quit smoking 18 years ago and bought a bicycle. One thing led to another and the year that Henry turned 50, he had run a full marathon, 3 half marathons and cycled across BC. Henry is currently chairman of the Link Pathway Society, a local not for profit grassroots initiative with the goal of linking the Lethbridge-Coaldale communities with multi use walking and biking trail. Being the son of a prolific masonry contractor, Alvin Fritz began reading architectural drawings at age 12 in the context of working for his father's construction company, Otto Fritz Masonry Construction (Leth) Ltd. Alvin began his post-secondary studies at the University of Lethbridge majoring in Fine Arts and received his Bachelor of Arts and Science degree 1980. Alvin chose to pursue his career in architecture at University of British Columbia from where he graduated in 1983, receiving the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Gold Medal, awarded to the graduate with the highest academic standing. After winning the Deutsche Akademische Austausch Dienst (DAAD) scholarship to study Heritage preservation and restoration in Munich, Alvin moved with his family to Germany for one year to complete his studies at the Technische Universitat Munchen. Upon his return to Canada he gained a broad range of experience in all aspects of the architectural profession. Alvin was employed in numerous architectural offices, offering his strengths in design, building technology and graphic representation. In 1989, he founded his own independent comprehensive practice.

Award-winning director and cinematographer Dianne Whelan does not choose easy topics. She's made docs about Mount Everest, and the Arctic, but this one, about being the first to tackle the whole Trans Canada Trail, takes the cake. Or in this case, the reheated oatmeal. Dianne has called her new documentary “500 Days in the Wild”, because that was the plan, to travel from St. John's NL. to Victoria B.C., 24 thousand miles in 500 days. Only it took 6 years. Dianne burnt the original schedule and gave in to a harrowing, grueling, and heart-warming adventure. She began the trek disheartened and disillusioned, her marriage was over, her beloved dog had died, and the world was getting scary. On the trip, she fell in love, learned how people can be extraordinarily kind, and she survived. She came close but was not mauled to death by a bear, her canoe did not get swamped. The doc has stunning shots from across Canada, but what sticks is her confirmation that we are not in charge. You can watch this episode on YouTube. A Transcription of this episode is located on our episode page. We love writing and would love for you to read what we write. Sign up for our Substack Newsletter. If you would like to support the show, we do have partner opportunities available. Please email Wendy and Maureen at womenofir@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toronto police officer advises to leave car keys by the front door to avoid home invasion (1:39) Guest: Hank Idsinga, former head of the Toronto Police Service's homicide unit, crime commentator for 640 Toronto and Global News 500 Days in the Wild: Meet the woman who completed the entire 24,000km Trans Canada Trail, and filmed it (13:41) Guest: Dianne Whelan, award-winning Canadian author and filmmaker, director of 500 Days in the Wild What makes a song memorable or catchy? (44:10) Guest: Dr. John Ashley Burgoyne, Assistant Professor, Computational Musicology, University of Amsterdam Coral reef that ‘shouldn't exist' thrives off B.C.'s Pacific Ocean (1:01:49) Guest: Cherisse Du Preez, Head of Deep-Sea Ecology Program, Marine Spatial Ecology and Analysis Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Dianne Whelan is a filmmaker, whose series 500 Days in the Wild is premiering on Paramount+... that shows her amazing over 20,000km trek across the Trans Canada Trail. She joins Angela Kokott on Afternoons to share her story and journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taking a look at anti-Semitism in BC politics. Trans Canada Trail is working to get more women working in the outdoor sector! Tips + tricks to deal with the effects of Daylight Savings Time changes!

Dianne Whelan was at a turning point in her life. So she decided she would travel across Canada — by bike, canoe, snow shoe and foot — along the Trans Canada Trail. Whelan shares what she learned about herself and how her faith in the goodness of strangers was restored in a new documentary film, 500 Days in the Wild.

In this week's episode, we speak with long-haul hiker and adventurer Melanie Vogel. Melanie is the first woman to walk the Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational trail in the world.  She walked from the Atlantic Ocean across and up to the Arctic Ocean, then down and over to the Pacific Ocean. Nearly 21,000 kilometers. Solo. Melanie's story is one of unexpected connections, harrowing experiences, brutal weather, stunning beauty, finding a soul mate, finding oneself, and the slow and emerging awareness of what it is to be human. We were spellbound by her story of letting go of fear, anxiety, and control that we carry in our daily lives, and emerging as her true self - more than she had ever felt before. And this story holds, to date, my most favorite meet-cute. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn have nothing on this one.  Please rate and review us! And share this episode with your people. It's an incredible story for so many reasons and we'd love to hear what you loved about it. Lots of Love. Show Notes: Instagram: @explorermelvogel https://tctrail.ca/news/melanie-vogel/ Please find out more info and message us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.kindredpodcast.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ @thekindredpod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠@Kindred⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please support us at ⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠ to us on Apple Podcasts Please follow, rate, and review - wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks.

The Newfoundland T'Railway is becoming a major economic driver. We'll hear about a study that puts a value on all that ATV and foot traffic.

I'm so happy to welcome back my first guest ever, professional explorer and national best-selling author Adam Shoalts. Adam's new book comes out Oct 3, called “Where The Falcon Flies - a 3,400km Odyssey from My Doorstep to the Arctic”. (Pre-order now) About Where The Falcon Flies A 3,400 km solo journey from Lake Erie to the Arctic. From Penguin Random House: “Looking out his porch window one spring morning, Adam Shoalts spotted a majestic peregrine falcon flying across the neighbouring fields near Lake Erie. Falcons migrate annually from southernmost Canada on the Great Lakes to remote arctic mountains. Grabbing his backpack and canoe, Shoalts resolved to follow the falcon's route north on an astonishing 3,400-kilometre journey from Lake Erie to the Arctic. Along the way, he faces a huge variety of challenges and obstacles, including storms on the Great Lakes, finding campsites in the urban wilderness of Toronto and Montreal, avoiding busy commercial freighter traffic, gale force winds, massive hydro electric dams, bushwhacking without trails, dealing with hunger, multiple bear encounters, and navigating white-water rapids on icy northern rivers far from any help.” About Adam Adam Shoalts is a professional explorer and national best-selling author. In 2013, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society for “extraordinary contributions to geography” and in 2017 completed a nearly 4,000 km solo journey across Canada's Arctic. A geographer and historian, he holds a Ph.D. from McMaster University, has participated in numerous archaeological projects and digs, and undertakes solo expeditions in the most remote wilderness areas. He is currently the Westaway Explorer-in-Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and in 2016 was named a national champion of the Trans-Canada Trail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Traffic and congestion has come up a lot in Toronto's mayoral byelection. Some candidates are pointing the blame at bike lanes, arguing that they're the cause of traffic getting worse in this city. For insights on whether Toronto has implemented bike lanes in the best way possible, we welcome: Eleanor McMahon, former cabinet minister, and president and CEO of the Trans Canada Trail;Trevor Townsend, founder of Keep Toronto Moving; andAlison Stewart, director of ddvocacy and public policy for Cycle Toronto.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, on the podcast, host Eva Hartling speaks with Valerie Pringle, former host of CTV's Canada AM and CBC's Midday and host of several television series, breaking glass ceilings for women in television, and paving the way for a new generation of women in the media. She is a member of the Order of Canada, awarded for her work in broadcasting and philanthropy, and one of Canada's most respected television broadcasters of the last 50 years. When Valerie took a pause from her broadcast career, she engaged with the non-profit world, championing HIV research and the end of stigma for CANFAR (The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research) and led efforts to build the Trans Canada Trail, working for over two decades to see it come to life. In her current role as Chair of CAMH (the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation), Valerie continues to advocate for the treatment of mental illness. Recently, Valerie decided to come out of “semi-retirement” to become Host and Producer of CANADA FILES, an interview series broadcast on PBS Network, featuring discussions with prominent and successful Canadians. Valerie is an inspiration for all women working in front or behind the screen.........This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

We have a true one-of-a-kind story today. Mel Vogel set out to hike the Trans Canada Trail in June 2017. Even when part of the trail was closed for recreational use during Covid, Mel remained on or near the trail in the Yukon, eventually completing it in November 2022. During her hike, Mel touched the Atlantic, Pacific, and even the Arctic Ocean, finding kindness and friends along the way, as well as her new friend, Malo, a lost dog. Mel and Steve share a personal conversation that touches nerves and reveals a strength of character within Mel. You can learn more about Mel and her remarkable journey at the following links: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-walking-trans-canada-trail/ https://tctrail.ca/news/melanie-vogel/ https://torontolife.com/memoir/three-years-ago-i-left-toronto-to-walk-across-canada-now-im-riding-out-the-pandemic-in-an-arctic-community-of-nine-people/ Our Class of 2023 is starting to hit the trail, one by one. This week, we catch up with three of them. Chuck Faulkinberry has to share some difficult news, Jessica Lang-Wright is having problems keeping warm at night (check the picture below), and Sonny Blackwell is racking up milestones along the way. Our Woods Hole Weekend Video Series is now available for purchase. With over 13 hours of solid content, with tips, tricks, hacks, and advice, our presenters prepared our guests for their own AT thru-hike. You can check out the trailer and various subjects covered at the link below: https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/p/woods-hole-weekend/ For the next week only (closing at midnight on March 15th), there is a discount of $100 for early purchasers. If you've invested your time and money in your thru-hike, you should consider this series as a critical investment, from people who have all completed thru-hikes of the Appalachian Trail. If you'd like to find out more about "Then The Hail Came," check out George's website at https://georgesteffanos.webador.com/. You can also find George's book on Amazon at this link. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFG4ZR6. If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com. If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received. You can also support our shows by visiting our online "Merch" store. Check it out at https://hrntradingpost.com/, or click on the store button on our network website at https://www.hikingradionetwork.com. If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by one of Canada

In this episode of the Bikepack Adventures podcast, myself and Nathan Starzynski dive into his 15000 km adventure crossing Canada while mostly following the Trans Canada Trail. Funnily enough, about 2 weeks before recording this podcast, Nathan and I had a chance to meet up for coffee in Chelsea, the day before he was going to be catching his flight to Europe to continue with his bicycle world tour. Nathan's cross-Canada adventure is quite unlike any I've heard of before. Rathern than follow the straighter, more common routes across Canada, he decided to more or less follow the TCT, even though it meanders all over the place and would pretty much double his cycling distance to cross Canada. This off-the-beaten-track route across Canada, allowed him to see many amazing sights along the way, which still continually driving him closer to his goal of reaching Cape Spear.Thank you to my latest supporters:Reinhart BiglTo support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:https://www.patreon.com/biketouradventures orhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/biketouradventures Join the RideWithGPS Bikepack Adventures ClubFind them at:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanstarzynski/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanstarzynskimedia/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nathanstarzynski Website: http://nathanstarzynski.com/Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/11931386Find me at…WEBSITEYOUTUBEFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMITUNESShow SponsorsRedshift Sports --> Use code BPA15 to save 15% at checkoutRestrap --> Use code BTAPOD10 to save 10% at checkoutChiru BikesBrockton CycleryPanorama Cycles --> Use code BTA15 to save 15% on a 2023 Chic-Chocs fatbike at checkoutRaceDay Fuel --> Use code BTA10 to save 10% at checkout

On today's show: BC farmers mark one-year anniversary of atmospheric river flood. Adventurer Melanie Vogel becomes first woman to complete a coast-to-coast-to-coast hike on the Trans Canada Trail! Trader Joe's in Bellingham broke their store sales record on Friday. 

In this episode; Destination Canada and the Trans Canada Trail recently partnered up to help promote the Trans Canada Trail so we'll find out more about the trail or series of trails that you can enjoy and experience that runs across Canada. Plus we'll head to Playa del Carmen, Mexico and visit the Sandos Caracol Eco Resort who boasts about having the best water park in Mexico and an All Nature Experience among other things. They're also gearing up for their Day of the Dead Celebrations Nov. 1 and 2 so we'll learn about that as well. And we'll chat with the folks from the Florida Keys and get an update following Hurricane Ian. 

In this episode; Destination Canada and the Trans Canada Trail recently partnered up to help promote the Trans Canada Trail so we'll find out more about the trail or series of trails that you can enjoy and experience that runs across Canada. Plus we'll head to Playa del Carmen, Mexico and visit the Sandos Caracol Eco Resort who boasts about having the best water park in Mexico and an All Nature Experience among other things. They're also gearing up for their Day of the Dead Celebrations Nov. 1 and 2 so we'll learn about that as well. And we'll chat with the folks from the Florida Keys and get an update following Hurricane Ian. 

This week on Unreserved: Indigenous people across Turtle Island conserving, preserving and caring for Mother Earth. You'll meet Rick Beaver, an ecologist who is working to protect the black oak savannah in his home community of Alderville First Nation. He uses an interesting tool - fire. We take you to the Manitoba wilderness where you'll meet Kenton Sangster, Blaze Head, Neepin Cook, Shaquiell Beardy and other Indigenous youth building and maintaining part of the Trans Canada Trail in Duck Mountain Provincial Park. They're participating in a six-week program that connects them with Indigenous knowledge keepers, gives them hands-on skills, and opens the door to a career outdoors. And in southwestern BC, Aq'am community leader Bonnie Harvey shares how Elders are sharing their knowledge about the land with young people and helping them become the next generation of "guardians".

On a close-to-home adventure, Jill and Robert take you along on an early Springtime walk along the Mississippi River and Trans Canada trail in Ontario. River sounds, geese, birds, and discovering nature in your back yard.

A Saskatchewan Paralympian is helping expand the Trans Canada Trail map for persons with disabilities. We learn more with Jim Krysko.

Does playing Wordle make you smarter? Jeff Ryman chats about this in his health headlines. On In The Know, Margrett Weldon shares fire safety tips that can help seniors deal with potential fires in the home. A Saskatchewan Paralympian is helping expand the Trans Canada Trail map for persons with disabilities. We learn more with Jim Krysko. It's the Wednesday edition of Buzz With Bill with Producer Bill Shackleton! As a result of increased screen time, Fighting Blindness Canada is asking Canadians to give their eyes a break as part of the Screens Off for Sight 24-hour challenge. We learn more about this with Doug Earl, President of FBC. Mary Mammoliti highlights why we should know exact substitutes in a recipe, prior to swapping ingredients.

There's no better person I can think of to kick this off than with Adam Shoalts, he is the epitome of what I want for this podcast. Adam is a professional explorer and national best-selling author of books like “Beyond the Trees” and The Whisper on the Night Wind”. In 2013, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society for “extraordinary contributions to geography” and in 2017 completed a nearly 4,000 km solo journey across Canada's Arctic. A geographer and historian, he holds a Ph.D. from McMaster University, and in and in 2016 was named a national champion of the Trans-Canada Trail. We discuss: The longest he's gone without human contact His earliest memories of nature What truly frightens him in the wild How he became a best-selling author Where to find hidden nature gems Find his books and social media here: https://adamshoalts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dana Meise is an amazing Prince George resident who holds the world record for enduring the longest hike in history (over 21,000km) that took him 10 years to accomplish. When his father lost the ability to walk, Dana was inspired to hike the entirety of the Trans Canada Trail and began his journey in 2008. Dana travelled throughout all three Canadian territories and 10 provinces in one of the most epic and wild journeys imaginable on the Trans Canada Trail, becoming the first person in the world to touch the country's three coasts by foot as he journeyed from the Atlantic to the Pacific and finally up to the Arctic Ocean. In total, Dana went through 27 pairs of hiking boots and finished his extraordinary journey in November of 2018 when he reached Tuktoyaktuk in the arctic. Using his now-intimate knowledge of Canada from coast to coast to coast, he has recently started a podcast and plans to write a book and start a docuseries in the future. Along the journey, Dana built relationships with Stuart McLean, Walter Gretzky, a very unique adventurer from Belgium and had many experiences with the vast wildlife, wilderness and residents of Canada. Dana truly is the epitome of a passion, strength and determination. Website: www.thegreathike.ca Twitter: @thegreathike Instagram: the.great.hike Facebook Page: The Great Hike Email: thegreathike@outlook.com

Born and raised in Prince George, British Columbia, Dana Meise spent 10 years of his life hiking the Trans Canada Trail, becoming the first person in the world to touch the country's three coasts by foot as he journeyed from the Atlantic to the Pacific and finally up to the Arctic Ocean, covering over 21,000 kilometres and going through 27 pairs of hiking boots. When his father lost the ability to walk, Dana was inspired to hike the entirety of the Trans Canada Trail and began his journey in 2008. In November 2018, he reached Tuktoyaktuk in the arctic – becoming the first person to hike to Canada's three oceans along the Trans Canada Trail. During the journey, Dana posted consistently to his Facebook and Twitter pages, while filling dozens of journals with tales of his adventures. Using his now-intimate knowledge of Canada from coast to coast to coast, he has recently started a podcast and plans to write a book and start a docuseries in the future. Along the journey, Dana built relationships with Stuart McLean, Walter Gretzky, a very unique adventurer from Belgium and had many experiences with the vast wildlife, wilderness and residents of Canada. Dana truly is the epitome of a Crazy Damn Canadian. Website: www.thegreathike.ca Twitter: @thegreathike Instagram: the.great.hike Facebook Page: The Great Hike Email: thegreathike@outlook.com

Dana Meise is the first Canadian to hike the entire Trans Canada Trail, now known as the The Great Trail. 10 years, 21,000kms, 3 oceans and a bit of frost bite later, he completed his journey in November, 2018. Dana probably knows Canada better than anyone, traversing through mountains, abandoned railroad tracks, forest, bush, urban streets, country roads and highways while meeting thousands of Canucks from coast to coast to coast. Tune in to hear about why and how he did it, why we need to put Canada first in our travel plans, and the importance of fulfilling our dreams and promises.Originally broadcast on CIUT 89.5FM and www.ciut.fm.

How should Hamilton grow to accommodate a population increases? Olympic gold-medalist Penny Oleksiak on her swimming career. Why the Trans Canada Trail and outdoor adventure is more important than ever. And, is it time for Ontario to look at two-tier health care? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eleanor McMahon, president and CEO of the Trans Canada Trail, discusses the important role trails - and outdoor adventure - play in the economic, social, and emotional wellbeing of Canadians. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calvin Reimer is in his 3rd year of Kinesiology at the University of Manitoba and is part of the Bison's track & field and cross country teams under the guidance of coach Claude Berubé. What struck us most about this fascinating interview is just how much the recreational adult runner can learn from an athlete like Calvin, who has lived and breathed running for a good chunk of his short life and is the product of a strong high school and club system. It can be challenging to impress upon recreational runners just how important the fundamentals are -- warm ups & cool downs, mobility and core work, form & technique drills, strength training, and running almost every day with most of those miles easy and some of them REALLY hard! -- and yet all of this is second nature to Calvin because it's all he's even known. And judging by his several shiny new PBs (800m in 1:56, 1000m in 2:28, and 1500m in 3:55), it seems to be working for him. From our vantage point, the future is looking pretty bright for Calvin. He has a strong work ethic, a genuine love of the sport, and an incredible support system - all of which will no doubt lift him to even greater heights.Resources we discussed in the episode:Favourite Mantra: If you don't put in the work someone else willFavourite Place to Run: On the Trans Canada Trail in Whiteshell Provincial Park (Falcon Lake)Bucket List Race: U Sports XC ChampionshipsFavourite Running Book: Running With The BuffaloesFavourite Post Run Indulgence: Booster Juice (if he PB'd), Dairy Queen Blizzard

Imagine moving between three oceans, all under your own power. For six years. Visiting hundreds of communities, seeing the wildest parts of a country. Connecting. Growing. Learning. This is what Dianne Whelan did for six years as she traversed the Trans-Canada Trail. Dianne just finished in August of 2021. What did she uncover about Canada, about its people and about herself? Tune in to find out.

Are you comfortable being alone? As artists, solitude is an essential part of the creative process. Embracing silence, stillness, your thoughts and your daydreams can lead to inspiration. In this weeks solo episode, Charlie talks about the filmmaker Dianne Whelan and her 17,000 mile solo trek across the Trans Canada Trail. Charlie also answers a listener question, discusses the solid work of actors Betty Gabriel and Zoe Kazan, as well as an appreciation of Michael K Williams. You can follow CBP on Instagram @creatingbehavior, and Charlie's NYC acting conservatory, the Maggie Flanigan Studio @maggieflaniganstudio. For written transcripts, Charlie's blog, or to contact him for private coaching, check out https://www.creatingbehaviorpodcast.com

Chapter 1: Dianne Whelan will be the first person to complete the 27,000km Trans Canada Trail, after paddling, cycling, and walking the route which connects the Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific Oceans. Whelan completes this momentous journey by paddling into Victoria, British Columbia. She connects with us from her journey now! Guest:  Dianne Whelan, award-winning filmmaker and multimedia artist. Chapter 2: Cases of COVID-19 are surging among the unvaccinated and as Canadians prepare to head to the polls in an anticipated fall election, new polling suggests most people are worried about a potential fourth wave. Guest: Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. Chapter 3: Well it has been a rough week for the interior, as COVID-19 cases continue to surge, wildfires continue to burn, and hotter temperatures are expected for the next few days.  Guest: Colin Basran, Mayor of Kelowna. Chapter 4: The B.C. government has partially dug itself out of a massive hole created by COVID-19 crisis, but the province's economy is still nowhere near pre-pandemic levels.  Finance Minister Selina Robinson released a financial update on Wednesday that showed B.C. ended the 2020-21 fiscal year with strong credit ratings and a lower-than-projected deficit. Guest: Selina Robinsons, BC Finance Minister. Chapter 5: The latest update from the BC coroner's office drug toxicity report showed that at least 5 people were dying everyday due to the ongoing opioid crisis. Guest: Mark Tyndall, Professor, School of Population and Public Health,UBC. Chapter 6: Come September, B.C. 's post-secondary sector is returning to in-person classes after more than 18 months online. Guest: Brent Calvert, President of BC Federation of Post-Secondary Educators. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paula Gale speaks with Dianne Whelan about completing the Trans Canada Trail

Jennifer Reynolds, President & CEO of Toronto Finance International joins me to discuss where women are at as we approach the one year mark of Covid 19 and what we can expect to see as we progress through 2021. If you’re going stir crazy then you’ll be pleased to know that you’re not as from an escape as you might think. 80% of Canadians live within 30 minutes of The Great Canadian Trail, and Eleanor McMahon President &CEO of the Trans Canada Trail joins me to share details about their Blaahs to Aaaahs Campaign running right now, and ways you can enjoy the trail year round while staying far from crowds. Anne Brodie shares deets on the much anticipated Royals interview with Oprah, PLUS the devastatingly beautiful Land with Robin Wright, a sequel that took 33 years to make, Coming to America 2 with Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, a formerly censored documentary called Free the Army with Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland, plus so much more to keep you busy at home, you won’t miss going out at all. Women have long struggled to command the same respect and coverage in sports that men have, until now. Ainka Jess from Shes4Sports is committed to changing that narrative. A senior communicator and an award-winning business leader Ainka is passionate about empowering women and diverse communities through sport, she joins me to share how she’s working hard to referee a fair game for all. Tired of trying to live within a budget? How about the 30-DAY ANTI-BUDGET: COVID EDITION? Kelly Keehn, is a personal finance educator, speaker, media personality and award-winning author of ten books with over 25 years in the finance industry. She is on a quest to Make Canadians Feel Good About Money and joins me today to discuss her latest book, Talk Money to Me Finally if you’re as confused as I am about how on earth to mine a bitcoin, where to buy cryptocurrency and more importantly how to spend it, then you’ll want to stick around until the end. Stephanie Chabot from The Finance Diaries helps educate people about personal finance topics that will help them get ahead in life, and today she joins me to give us the 411 on cryptocurrency. Social Channels: Jennifer Reynolds Twitter @tfi_canada The Great Canadian Trail Website thegreattrail.ca Twitter @TheGreatTrail Instagram @TheGreatTrail Facebook @TheGreatTrail Ainka Jess Website https://www.shes4sports.com/press Twitter @shes4sports - https://twitter.com/shes4sports Instagram @shes4sports - https://www.instagram.com/shes4sports Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shes4sports Kelly Keehn Website www.kelleykeehn.com Twitter KelleyKeehn Instagram Kelleykeehnbiz Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kelleykeehnbiz Stephanie Chabot Website www.thefinancediaries@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thefinancediaries/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thefinancediaries/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thefinancediaries?lang=en

Organizers with the Trans Canada Trail are hoping to make parts of the cross-country trail more accessible.

Dianne Whelan is the first to admit she is not an ‘extreme’ or endurance athlete. She describes herself as “just an artist from Vancouver”. But there is no doubt the project she’s currently undertaking is pretty extreme. In 2015, she set out to travel the length of the Great Trail (or the Trans Canada Trail) which stretches from one side of Canada to the other and is the longest trail in the world. It’s a 24,000km / 15,000mi journey across Canada - including 7,000km of water - that she is travelling by foot, bike, canoe and snowshoe. Dianne initially thought it would take her about 500 days and so she named the project, and the documentary film she is simultaneously making in the process, ‘500 Days in the Wild’. 5 years later, she is about 3,000km from finishing her epic journey. And when she does so, she’ll become the first person to complete this epic traverse of Canada. What makes Dianne’s perspective unique (at least to this podcast) is that this journey is not about the challenge or the athletic achievement. Instead, she describes as an ecological pilgrimage to honour both the land and to pay respects to the First Nations people of Canada, to learn their stories and share their lessons. Get the full show notes for the episode here. — Visit the Sparta Chicks Radio website here  Follow Sparta Chicks Radio on Facebook: facebook.com/SpartaChicks  Follow Dianne on Instagram @diannewhelanphotos & @500DaysintheWild

Eleanor McMahon is the president & CEO of the Trans Canada Trail. See where you can access the Great Trail at thegreattrail.ca.

on the journey of a lifetime in search of the answers to the questions “what have we forgotten?” and “What do we need to know?”. Her story unfolds along the longest trail in the world, the 24,000 km Trans Canada Trail, where she has already spent the last three years and estimates another two.Dianne has met so many incredible people and communities on her path so far that have taught her invaluable lessons about connection (to the land and each other), purpose, ceremony, trust, and so much more. However, perhaps the most incredible person she has faced on this journey of 500 Days in the Wild, is herself.

Part 1 of 2: Take A Hike with Dana Meise, the first person ever to hike longest network of trails in the world, aka the Great Trail, formerly known as the Trans Canada Trail. He survived hunger, frostbite, and nosy bears. He recalls it all with a smile on his face. Tune into his life-changing experiences in nature and with the citizens of his beloved country. Connect with Dana on social media: - The Great Hike on Facebook - @the_hiking_fool on Instagram - @TheHikingFool on Twitter - CBC Feature   Connect with Take A Hike: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr ***** Music in the episode is produced by BigBouncyBright, purchased via AudioJungle.  

Part 2 of 2: Take A Hike with Dana Meise, the first person ever to hike longest network of trails in the world, aka the Great Trail, formerly known as the Trans Canada Trail. He survived hunger, frostbite, and nosy bears. He recalls it all with a smile on his face. Tune into his life-changing experiences in nature and with the citizens of his beloved country. Connect with Dana on social media: - The Great Hike on Facebook - @the_hiking_fool on Instagram - @TheHikingFool on Twitter - CBC Feature   Connect with Take A Hike: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr ***** Music in the episode is produced by BigBouncyBright, purchased via AudioJungle.  

George Kourounis of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society speaks about the great treasure hunt now going on along the Trans Canada Trail.

Millions of people every year take to the mountains and surrounding forest to take in our planets beautiful scenery, flora and fauna. These experiences often give people pause and allow us to rethink our place in this world. David is a longtime member and past Chair of the Alberta Hiking Association and was kind enough to come on and discuss hiking and what it has done for his life and how it could improve others. Topics discussed include: Nature appreciation, Yellowstone wolf introduction, Bear Jams, Alberta Hiking Association, ATVs in parks, Irresponsible users, Confluence visiting, Clearcuts, Wildfire, Trans Canada Trail, and much more.

Wolves are a grizzlies best friend - at least in Yellowstone Yellowstone has become a world renowned laboratory for what can happen when long absent carnivores are returned to the landscape. For decades across North America, predators were seen as the enemy, and targeted for extermination. Bounties were paid for the pelts of wolves, coyotes and other carnivores in order to make the wilderness a more human friendly place. The program resulted in a natural system that ran amok. Food chains evolved over millions and in some cases 10s of millions of years. Every hoofed animal was partially designed by its need to escape predators that were in turn designed to eat them. In some cases, as in the case of snowshoe hare and lynx, both predator and prey evolved the same strategies. Snowshoe hares gradually developed huge back feet to enable them to stay atop deep snows and escape the lynx. In time, the lynx evolved to also have huge feet, negating the hare's advantage. As biologists, we call that co-evolution - two species evolving in concert with each other in the age-old chess match of hunter and hunted. Over time, the predator control programs were very effective over much of their range and wolves were long ago extirpated from places like the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. In their absence, nature didn't rest on its laurels. It continued to evolve based on the now more limited numbers of actors on the stage. In a 2013 study, a research study looked into what impacts removing wolves from Yellowstone may have had on other species, in particular grizzly bears. Normally, we think of animals like wolves and bears as adversaries, both competing for similar prey. Hop onto Youtube and you can find countless examples of wolves and grizzlies battling over carcasses. However when you remove the wolf, might the entire equation change? This study tried to look at what how the Yellowstone ecosystem was impacted by the removal of wolves and how it was further impacted with their return. Looking at mountain landscapes is not all about the pretty pictures that we as visitors take home. Less wolves meant, more elk. Tourists love to take photos of elk. They are one of the main large, charismatic animals that bring tour bus after tour bus into the mountain west. However we also need to remember one important fact. Elk are…what's that word again…oh yah…food! Elk are here not because they are cute and charismatic. They are here because they are made of meat. Ecosystems are a combination of predator and prey. Pressure from predation stimulates adaptation and evolution in their prey animals. This in turn forces the predators to also adapt. Take away the predator and the prey population simply explodes. This is what happened in Yellowstone. With an absence of wolves for more than 70 years, elk and deer numbers had exploded. Everything that was edible was, well, eaten. During this same time, the population of Yellowstone grizzlies also suffered. Could there be some relationship between wolves, elk and grizzly population? This study looked to quantify this relationship. We like to think of bears as carnivores, but in reality, they are omnivores. Most of their diet is made up of plants rather than meat. Uncontrolled elk numbers may have impacted the bears by simply grazing on the plants that produced berries important to those bears. This study examined the idea that taking wolves off the landscape simply changed the landscape to make it less suitable to bears. Grizzlies thrive in forests of aspen, poplar and willow because they tend to have a diverse understory of berry-producing plants like buffaloberry, Saskatoon or Serviceberry and chokecherry.  Too many elk, meant that these shrubs, and even the new shoots of aspen, poplar and willow trees were mere fodder for the endless appetite of the ever growing elk population. In the early days of the absence of wolves, the park did some elk reductions but they stopped those in 1968 with a population of some 3,000 elk. With the programs cancellation, by 1994 the population had grown to a high of approximately 19,000 elk.   New growth of trees and shrubs essentially stopped during this period as every edible shoot, leaf and berry was consumed by the elkopolypse. In a further hit to bear populations, the park closed all of its garbage dumps in 1971. Anyone visiting parks like Yellowstone, or even Banff in those days knew that if you want to see the bears, go to the dump. For bears already stressed by a loss of berry crops, the loss of the easy calories offered by landfills represented another loss in food opportunities for grizzlies. Coincidentally, in 1975 the grizzly bear was designated as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Could reintroducing wolves reverse this trend? In 1995 wolves from Jasper National Park in Canada were captured and reintroduced to Yellowstone. The results have exceeded any expectations although this report was looking at just the impact on grizzlies. With the return of the wolf, populations of both bison and beaver increased, likely due to the increase availability of food. Did the increase in forage improve bear habitat as well? This study looked into the situation before and after wolves were re-introduced. When looking at the amount of fruit composing the diet of Yellowstone grizzlies prior to the reintroduction, they found it was just 2 to 4% as opposed to 28% in British Columbia and 18% in Alberta. In normal ecosystems, fruit composes a critical part of the grizzly bear's diet. The contain huge amounts of carbohydrates that are easily converted to fat. In fact, in episode 42, I spoke about the amazing realization that grizzlies in Alaska will choose Elderberries over salmon when given the opportunity. It seems that berries are the way to go. You can check out that episode at: www.MountainNaturePodcast.com/ep042. So, we brought the wolves back. Did it make a difference? Well, OK, it exceeded anyone's expectations. Returning wolves to the Yellowstone released something biologists call a trophic cascade. This means that by reintroducing wolves, biologists returned the balance to the landscape and the benefits trickled down through the entire ecosystem. More wolves meant less elk. Even today, the wolves take very few bison simply because they are very formidable prey. Elk, on the other hand are manageable, even in cases where bison are more plentiful. Removing elk allowed forage to grow. Poplar, aspen, and willow, in turn allowed bison and beaver populations to increase. More importantly they also allowed plants to grow. Aspen, poplar, and willow trees thrived. Beneath their canopy berry bushes also began to regenerate. Looking into the effects on the diet of bears, the study showed that fruit consumption more than doubled with the reduction in elk numbers.  In some years, fruit consumption could account for up to 29% of the diet of male bears and as high as 39% for females once the wolves were returned to the landscape. Wolves reduced the elk population by an order of magnitude; from an average of 12.1/km2 in the absence of wolves to just 1-2/km2. If we look at the real benefits of the reintroduction of the wolf and the downward cascade of benefits we would see many things. Wolves preyed on elk, but more importantly changed their behaviour in order to avoid the wolves. They moved out of the valleys allowing those areas to regrow. The height of trees skyrocketed with the freedom to simply grow. Long absent forests of aspen, poplar, and willow thrived. This brought in songbirds that used the trees for nesting sites. Less competition for trees allowed beaver populations to grow as well. The beavers helped the ducks, the fish, the muskrat and even the otters. Wolves are a big predator of coyotes, and as they did this, rabbits, hares and mice numbers exploded, helping to spur populations of weasels, hawks, fox and badgers. Many scavengers rely upon animals like wolves to open up carcasses to allow them to feed. As a result, raven and bald eagle populations increased. We've already mentioned that the bears benefited with more available berries. Remember thought that bears will take a significant amount of newborn elk and moose calves. This meant that the bears worked in concert with the wolves to reduce elk populations, while at the same time benefiting with more available berries. Ok, now are you ready for this. The wolves impacted the landscape, and with that the rivers. The regrowth of plant life helped to stabilize the riverbanks and in turn helped to change the course of the rivers. Scientists call this a trophic cascade. It refers to situations like this, where a predator can create a series of benefits that trickle down the entire food chain. I'll include a link in the show notes to a great video that highlights some of the incredible changes that wolves have brought to the Yellowstone ecosystem. Most importantly for this story though, the wolves have helped the bears to thrive in this renewed landscape. This study also helped to reveal a historically negative aspect of this story. Grizzlies once roamed the mountain west all the way south to Mexico. Looking at the history of the mountains, people moved onto the landscape and culled predators, allowing herbivores to reproduce unchecked, while in many cases introducing cattle to the landscape. All of this would have reduced the forage necessary for bears to survive. Think of this as a grizzly bear famine. 20 to 30% of their normal annual food budget had been removed by overgrazing. Perhaps associated with this, grizzly populations began to drop. This means that the removal of wolves may have played an important role in the disappearance of grizzlies from much of the southwest. Could programs like wolf reintroductions allow bears to also be reintroduced to new landscapes? While bears are much more difficult to reintroduce, I'd love to see the scientists make a concerted effort and investigating the possibilities. It all starts with wolves. Trails - the good and the bad Let's talk about a few trail projects in and adjacent to the Rockies. First I want to talk about the grand-daddy of them all - the Great Trail, formerly known as the Trans Canada Trail.  This month, the world's longest recreational trail opened - and it's in Canada. Formerly known as the Trans Canada Trail, Canada's "Great Trail" has officially opened. In total, it covers some 24,000 km, traverses all 10 provinces and 2 territories, and travels from ocean to ocean to ocean. The announcement means that you can now hike across the country from coast to coast, with an option to head all the way to the Arctic Ocean at Inuvik (although you'd need to follow the East Channel of the Mackenzie River a bit to truly meet the ocean. It is not a true trail, but a collaboration of hundreds of trails, each operated by differing jurisdictions, and then joined together by stretches of road or river where necessary. All-in-all, there are more than 400 trails winding their way across all 10 provinces with a potential detour to the far north. Like any network of its kind, it's a work in progress. Over time, sections involving walking on the shoulder of roads will be replaced by bonafide trails, but after 25 years, it's now a reality. Can you hike it all? Not yet. Think of this as a multi-disciplinary trail. The best way to take in the magic will be to combine hiking, cycling and paddling. Like the earliest days of Canada, for some stretches, the waters show the way. Some 26% of the trail follows waterways, so best to practice your J-stroke if you want to conquer this trail network. Other stretches that are dominated by connecting roadways are better covered on two-wheels. If you want, you can even strap on cross-country skis (or if need be fire up a snowmobile) for some sections. The great trail is a reflection of Canada. It crosses diverse landscapes with varying amounts of development and urbanization. Each section will offer its own unique challenges along with its own vistas. Traveling west across the country, when the trail reaches Edmonton, you'll have to decide whether you want to head south towards Calgary to continue the westward section of the trail, or north towards Inuvik and the Arctic Ocean. Along this northern route, you can select a land-based or aquatic route depending on your preferred mode of exploration. As Canadians, most of us have never traveled from coast to coast to coast. It was less than 10 years ago that I finally traveled west to east but I have yet to explore the north. Perhaps the magic of the Great Trail is in its possibilities. It offers each of us the ability to explore Canada in our own way. Lovers of history can follow the footsteps, or paddleways of those that traveled long before we did. Urban explorers can look for trails that connect in ways that allow them to cycle or perhaps hike from hotel to hotel. Nowhere else is there a network like this one. In some ways, it's not ready for the prime time, but in others, it's prime time to begin to imagine the possibilities that await you on the existing pathways, as well as where new additions of the trail may beckon. As you can imagine, this didn't emerge out of the ether. It took 25 years of volunteer hours and thousands of individuals to bring the trail to the point that we are today. If you'd like to learn more, check out their website at: www.tctrail.ca. If you can contribute to the effort, the Federal Government will contribute 50 cents for every dollar you can spare. There is also an app available on both Android and iPhone to help you navigate along the way. I'll see you on the trail.     Now onto another trail. Over the past year, I've spoken at length about a proposed bike trail planned to run between the town of Jasper all the way to the Columbia Icefields, and eventually to Lake Louise and Banff. This trail was poorly conceived and rammed through with little or no public input, and against the best advice of Parks Canada's own scientists. You can read more about the trail plans by checking out episodes 3, 23, and 26. Episode 26 especially, brings out the backroom dealings that occurred in order to force the trail through the approval process. You can listen to it at www.MountainNaturePodcast.com/ep026. The public opinion on the trail has been overwhelmingly negative and it seems that, for the moment at least, the trail has been put on hold. The trail was tied to dollars that had a deadline of 2-years to be spent and that time is running out. Jasper currently has hundreds of kilometres of trails that are virtually impassable due to a decade of neglect during the Harper years. During that time, all the focus was on getting more and more cars through the park gates so they could claim the $8 bucks a head per day. The backcountry was largely forgotten. I first came to the mountains in 1980 to walk the South Boundary Trail in Jasper. At the time, this 176 km trail was the longest in the mountain parks. Today, parts of the original route are impassable. $86 million dollars could go a long way towards repairing overgrown trails,  replacing bridges and upgrading long neglected backcountry campgrounds, hanging racks and outhouses. It now seems that there is hope that this trail will be cancelled. The time limit on the money is running out. The park is now, after being pilloried in the media, doing more extensive public consultations, but the trail is no longer connected to any definite timeline. According to a recent article in the Rocky Mountain Outlook, Parks spokesperson Audrey Champagne stated: “After the consultation periods, if the decision is to move forward with the concept, new project timelines would be established” If the decision is eventually made to move forward, they'll try to get a continuation on the original $70 million that was earmarked in the 2016 budget.   As the author of two books on mountain biking, I'm not opposed to mountain biking as a valid use of the backcountry. However ill-conceived trails will always be ill-conceived. New trails need to take into account new realities, like wildlife movement corridors and habitat patches for endangered or threatened animals like caribou and grizzly bears. This trail not only traveled through critical habitat for the endangered mountain caribou, but also that of grizzly bears, a threatened species in Alberta. At the same time, creating a trail would also create openings in the canopy which would promote the growth of buffaloberries. Bikes and buffaloberries don't mix. The trail would increase the likelihood of bear bike conflicts along its route. The public consultation ended in April of 2017, but the Indigenous consultation is just in the process of ending. There should be an opportunity for further public and indigenous consultation once the draft of the detailed impact analysis is competed so stay tuned. I'll leave a link in the show notes so that you can stay on top of current updates on the trail's status (https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper/info/plan/sentierdesglaciers-icefieldstrail) Hopefully, we'll see this project quietly slip into the dustbin of history and see the dollars dedicated to iconic trails that have been neglected in favour of the frontcountry. Parks are for all Canadians, and not just for those visiting the paved corridors. Let's all fight to make sure that the backcountry trails are refurbished to make sure that tomorrows wilderness wanderers will have an opportunity to explore the further reaches of the park. Thars Gold in British Columbia Many years ago, I wrote a magazine article on the legend of the Lost Lemon Mine in Alberta. I interviewed a long time prospector, Mike Czech who had prospected in the Yukon and southern Alberta in search of the famed Lost Lemon Mine. I was writing an article on this legendary bonanza when suddenly, his wife looked at me and said…"don't get the gold fever!" Her message was that once you get the fever, there is no inoculation. She had been married to a prospector for more than 50 years and had moved from place to place and the hope for the big strike had always been a part of her life as well. Gold Fever is real…once you catch it, it stays with you, and the genesis of British Columbia can be, to a great extent, connected to gold fever. Now if you're not familiar with the symptoms, they often began/begin accidentally. Wilderness wandering was often a pre-requisite. Gold doesn't just pop up anywhere but, like finding a unicorn, it suddenly appears to that individual that not both wandered and observed. In British Columbia, like most places where gold is discovered, discoveries began with a rumour, which evolved into a story which excited the imaginations of adventure seekers, leading to a sudden migration into a wilderness area lacking utilities, support systems, or any of the things people took for granted in civilization. In 1851, a 27 oz nugget from the Queen Charlottes, known as the Haida Gwaii today, was traded in at Fort Victoria. Now you can't just walk into a trading post, drop of an almost two pound chunk of gold and then just wander back to your pickup like nothing unusual has happened. A nugget means people take notice and after this nugget was traded for 1,500 Hudson's Bay Company Blankets, it was brought to the attention of Governor Richard Blandshard. He sent a message to the British Secretary of War and the Colonies (Yup, we were part of the department of war). In it he stated: "I have heard that fresh specimens of gold have been obtained from the Queen Charlotte Islanders. I have not seen them myself, but they are reported to be very rich. The Hudson's Bay Company servants intend to send an expedition in the course of the summer to make proper investigations. The brigantine Huron was dispatched accordingly, ostensibly to trade, but really to search for gold. Failing in which, the men broke up part of a quartz ledge, and carrying pieces on board their vessel, returned in triumph to Victoria" In the end though, this first goldrush didn't produce much gold, but it did see enough people flooding into the territory that the region was designated as the unified Colony of British Columbia. Prior to this, there was a colony on Vancouver Island, with James Douglas as the governor. Douglas was also an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company and so was also in charge of the lands on the mainland although they were not part of the original colony. In a way, the crown colony of British Columbia owes its genesis to the search for gold. While the first taste of gold in the Haida Gwaii had not panned out, in 1857 rumours surfaced of a new gold strike on the Thompson River, downstream of Fort Kamloops. The gold was acquired by the Hudson's Bay Company and in Feb of 1858, Douglas dispatched the steamship Otter to San Francisco with 800 ounces of gold for minting. Within weeks, miners began to arrive on the Fraser River. The first gold strikes were around just a few kilometres above the city of Hope. The new governor of the Colony of British Columbia, James Douglas, hired gold commissioners to intercept American prospectors and make them buy licenses, stake claims and record their progress. This was needed to help maintain sovereignty over the new colony as much as it was to make sure that the gold didn't disappear into the U.S. without helping to enrich British Columbia first. In the spring of 1858, shiploads of miners from San Francisco began to arrive at Fort Victoria. Now keep in mind that Fort Victoria was home to a mere 400 people, but between May and July, some 23,000 gold seekers departed San Francisco to arrive at a Fort completely overwhelmed. When they arrived at the growing tent city, only then did they learn that Fort Kamloops was still 600 km distant, and on the mainland, across the Strait. Many built their own boats to try to beat the crowds across the 32 km crossing and up the Fraser towards Fort Yale. Many miners simply began to pan there, pocketing 4-5 ounces per person per day. The more adventurous though, headed upriver on foot. If there was gold in the gravels, then the motherlode must be upstream. Some miners brought with them both experience and instinct. Some, it seemed, could smell the gold. One of these included a group of five Americans led by Peter Curran Dunlevy from Pittsburgh. Like their contemporaries, they began staking claims upstream from Fort Yale, but soon ventured upstream, far upstream. By May, they were panning near the confluence of the Chilcotin and Fraser Rivers, near to present-day Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park. While there, they met a native named Tomaah, the son of Chief Lolo St. Paul. When he asked what they were doing, they showed him a few flakes of gold. Tomaah then claimed that he could "show them a river where gold lay like beans in a pan." The miners would need to stock up on supplies though, and Tomaah promised to meet them at Lac La Hache, some 65 km east as the crow flies. The party purchased a tonne of provisions and 12 packhorses in Fort Kamloops and headed to Lac La Hache. Tomaah, asked his friend Baptiste to show them the river of gold and after several days of travel, they came to a river that they named the "Little Horsefly" because of the hordes of biting flies that plagued them. One of the party, Ira Crow panned the very first gold from the area of British Columbia that would soon be known as the Cariboo. Dunlevy's party had swelled to some 12 men but they struck it rich. They left the area with gold rumoured to have been worth more than a million dollars - that's a million dollars in 1859 dollars. It's the equivalent to winning the lottery. They took their money and moved on. Some, like Dunlevy, continued to invest in the goldrush, opening roadhouses and freighting operations to help other miners along the Cariboo Road as it the area was opened up to easier access. The route to the Cariboo was long, hard and dangerous. James Douglas, the acting Governor of the Crown Colony, informed London: "Another important object I have in view is the improvement of the internal communications of the country, which at present are, for all practical purposes, nearly inaccessible beyond Fort Yale." A road to the Cariboo would not only assist the miners in traveling safer, but would also assist in making sure that the 49th parallel remain as the border between Canada and the U.S. Long before getting permission to build the road, Douglas met with miners and promised that his government would trade them transportation, equipment and food in exchange for a 1.2 metre-wide mule trail through the wilderness as far as Lillooet. To make sure they didn't desert, the miners were required to place a $25 deposit which would later be redeemed in supplies from Lillooet. It also helped to add a few dollars to the road building fund. This road wouldn't follow Fraser past Yale though, but would rather follow the route of the Lillooet River across Harrison, Lillooet, Anderson and Seton Lakes. Alexander Caulfield Anderson had traversed the route in 1847 and was put in charge of the construction. Workers were organized into groups of 25 and dispersed along the route. There were 500 workers on the road by mid-August. In the meantime, the British Government replied to Douglas' original dispatch: "Her Majesty's Government propose sending to British Columbia at the earliest possible opportunity an Officer of Royal Engineers and a Company of Sappers and Miners made up of 150 non-Commissioned Officers and men." By December, 1858 it was reported by the Victoria Gazette that: "Good boats are running on all the lakes, while numerous houses for public entertainment are opening up all along the line. " In one of the strangest stories of the Cariboo Goldrush, Gustavus Blin Wright imported 23 camels at the cost of $7,000. He believed that they could carry twice the weight and cover more distance than mules and horse. What he didn't count on was that their feet were far too soft for the coarse terrain and the fact that horses and mules would stampede when they smelled the strong smells that the camel radiated. In the end, the idea was a total bust. Miners petitioned to have the "Dromedary Express" banned from the road and, in the end, they were simply turned loose. The last one died in 1905 south of Kamloops near present-day Westwold, B.C. Douglas then shifted his attention to the Fraser Valley route to the Cariboo. In 1860, he sent out construction parties to improve the road between Yale and Lytton. There was already an established route from Lytton up to the gold fields. In the end, this Cariboo Road turned out to be a much faster route than Douglas' original route to Lillooet and it quickly took on the majority of the traffic. In just over a year, Douglas has built two major roads towards the gold fields of the Cariboo. He has developed a system of gold commissioners to monitor the miners, the claims and the findings. For many, he is considered the father of British Columbia. Next week we'll follow the story as the Cariboo really begins to get the gold fever. And with that it's time to wrap this episode up. I want to thank you for sharing your time with me and be sure to check out the show notes for links and additional information. You can find them at www.MountainNaturePodcast.com/ep045. Don't forget to click the subscribe button - cmon…do it now! To make sure that you don't miss any episodes. And as always, if you'd like to reach out to me personally you can drop me a line at ward@wardcameron.com or hit me up on twitter @wardcameron. You can also visit our FaceBook page at www.Facebook.com/wardcameronenterprises. And with that said, the sun's out and it's time to go hiking. I'll talk to you next week.

  After spending the last two years on the Trans Canada Trail, Sarah Jackson is set to become the first woman on record to complete the 11,500 km hike. This week, we have a story about the Trans Canada Trail. We have an interview with Edmund Aunger, a cyclist with a petition to make the […]

Episode 57 ~ March 15, 2017 Podcast Info / Topics Greenland paddles Trans Canada Trails paddling sections Trans Canada Water Trail Lake Superior Water trail

Episode 57 ~ March 15, 2017 Podcast Info / Topics Greenland paddles Trans Canada Trails paddling sections Trans Canada Water Trail Lake Superior Water trail

Chatting with publicist, Christina Kozakiewicz (of Montreal, QC) on the 24,000 km Trans Canada Trail. We tackle some of the successes and challenges of the project, now 25 years in the making.

Carmel Kilkenny speaks with Deborah Apps, president and CEO of the Trans Canada Trail foundation about the upcoming connection of all the routes that will make up The Great Trail, in this 150th anniversary of Canada.

Two intrepid cyclists try and fail valiantly to travel from Peterborough to Prince Edward County.