Join us on Sunday, October 2 for Bruce Trail Day as we showcase how the BTC and its volunteers protect and rehabilitate the lands of the escarpment. That’s what the C stands for – Conservancy.

We’re offering guided hikes, refreshments and camaraderie suitable for the entire family. There’s even a bus departing from York Mills TTC Station where kids ride free and adults pay only $10. Bring your children and your grandchildren, your neighbours and your friends.

This year our focus is on properties where years of rehabilitation have helped restore the natural environment, creating and preserving a corridor for the survival of the many species of animals and plants that call the escarpment home. You will see living proof of nature’s ability to restore itself when given a chance. And you’ll also learn how you, too, and your children and your grandchildren, can help in this important work.

Here’s a brief overview of what is on offer:

8:30 a.m. – Bus hike leaves York Mills station. Details below.
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  – Limehouse Memorial Hall is open for refreshments and gathering. Biodiversity Team members will be on hand to answer questions.
10:00 a.m. – Car hike groups depart from the Hall – NB: preregistration required

• Educational loop hike, ideal for new hikers and families, along the Todd Bardes Side Trail. Details below.
• Citizen Science Hike: Learn how to become a citizen scientist using the iNaturalist app. Details below

All day: everyone is invited to explore trails near Limehouse Memorial Hall, following routes suggested by our volunteers.

Details for registered hikes:

1. Bus hike: The route takes people through eight properties owned by the BTC and looked after by our Toronto Club. We will hear how the Conservancy preserves and cares for the ecosystems along the Niagara Escarpment, protecting them from destructive human impact and restoring native habitats. Distance: 12.5km, with optional dropout after 5.5km. Bus fare: $10 for adults, free for children. Click here to register.
2. Educational loop hike: You’ll hike along the Todd Bardes Side Trail and see the work of the Biodiversity Team firsthand. See the butterfly watering stations, bluebird boxes, the reintroduction of milkweed, and the removal of invasive species. You will also visit naturalized planting areas where you can see the results of conservation work. Distance: 4-5km. Cost: Free. Click here to register.
3. Citizen Science hike: Participants learn how photos on their smartphones can contribute to the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s iNaturalist Project.  This hike offers a slower pace, and covers a shorter distance, so that we can take the time to observe and identify the wildflowers, ferns, and fungi growing along the trail. Hike leaders will also share their knowledge of the birds, insects and other small creatures we encounter. NOTE: this will be a small group, limited to 10 registrants. Click here to register.