Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club celebrating 60th anniversary

Numerous events and initiatives planned to celebrate milestone

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A local club is celebrating 60 years of connecting people with nature. 

In 2024, the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club (Caledon Hills BTC) is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

It's planning a series of events to celebrate the major milestone.

The Caledon Hills BTC was founded in 1964 and since then, its club members and volunteers have been working hard to maintain trails, restore ecosystems, secure land to protect, and promote biodiversity.

It's why the Caledon Hills BTC said its 60th anniversary marks six decades of commitment to conservation, environmental stewardship, and fostering deeper connections with nature.

The Caledon Hills portion of the Bruce Trail is 72 kilometres long and spans from the Cheltenham Badlands to Mono Centre.

Along the trail one can find diverse forests and meadows, rocky outcroppings, and meandering streams and rivers. Thanks to handshake agreements, the trail passes through private property unhindered in places, and in others, it passes through conservation areas and provincial parks.

Caledon Hills BTC volunteers steward 25 protected natural areas along the trail that have a total area of 800 acres. The Caledon Hills BTC said the trail has much to offer hikers, like bird watching, magnificent fall colours, and many natural treasures. 

Caledon Hills BTC club president Sandy Green explained the club has donated over $284,000 to the Bruce Trail Conservancy over the years. 

“Our mission to ‘preserve a ribbon of wilderness for everyone, forever,' continues to inspire generosity and reminds us of the responsibility we all share for this land and future generations,” said Green. 

There are numerous events planned to celebrate the club's 60th anniversary. More information about all of the following events can be found online at caledonbrucetrail.ca.

Guided hikes from experienced hike leaders will occur, and there will even be some commemorative challenge badges for hikers to earn. Hikers can get the “60 for the 60th” badge by hiking 60 kilometres of the trail, and get another badge for hiking all 72 kilometres of the Caledon Hills section of the trail end to end.

On April 21 and May 4, the Caledon Hills BTC's biodiversity team and partners from the Bruce Trail Conservancy will be planting native shrubs and trees in two protected areas to restore ecological health to them.

A photo contest will be held this year, and hikers are encouraged to submit their best photos from the Caledon Hills section of the trail to the Caledon Hills BTC for a chance to win prizes.

The club's Youth Program Team is looking to partner with schools and youth leaders in the community to provide hiking experiences with a goal of inspiring lifelong environmental commitment.

Green said she encourages Caledon residents to come out and celebrate with the Caledon Hills BTC this year.

“Embrace nature, and actively help to make a difference. We look forward to having new members join us and for our community to learn more about the Bruce Trail,” said Green.