Conservation Area Trail Stewards (CATS)
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA)
Project Description
Conservation Area Trail Stewards (CATS) are trained volunteers whose responsibilities include basic trail maintenance, informal educational engagement with the public, reporting of user and infrastructure needs through an online reporting form, and some invasive species management.
Challenge / Issue and Solution
CLOCA is a medium-sized Conservation Authority with a small staff complement responsible for the operation of over 7,500 acres of land and 8 public Conservation Areas. We follow our Conservation Areas Inspection Policy, respond to issues, and take pride in maintaining clean and safe areas, but in the past, we often heard visitors asking for greater staff presence. Visitors and trail usage in our conservation areas continues to increase each year, and our staff are challenged to keep up with increased management needs such as litter cleanup, trail maintenance, education and awareness, and enforcement.
PEOPLE: Share any details about how you partnered or collaborated with others (internal or external)
CLOCA solicits volunteers to participate in the Conservation Area Trail Stewards program to assist in monitoring our Conservation Areas. These engaged members of the public complete both on-line and on-site training and commit to spending a few hours in a designated Conservation Area a minimum of once every month, however many will submit several reports each month. In exchange, they receive an annual pass for the area where they have chosen to volunteer. We currently have 89 volunteers.
PLANNING: Provide a description of how you planned, prepared and implemented your project
During the spring, summer and fall seasons, CLOCA staff host a Conservation Area Trail Steward intake session where the registered volunteers will complete 4.5 hours of online and 2 hours of in-person, onsite training. During the online training, volunteers are required to complete a variety of HR training such as AODA customer service, basic OHS Ministry of Labour training videos, CLOCA policies, volunteer guide and waivers, Toolbox Talks and standard operating procedures. The in-person on-site training provides an opportunity for staff and volunteers to meet face to face and go over risks and hazards when completing CATS duties, CATS kit material overview, basic trail maintenance, informal educational engagement with the public, reporting of user and infrastructure needs, and some invasive species management along with a variety of other items that will be encountered onsite. After completion of the training, CATS volunteers receive their own CATS kit. This goes a long way in helping us take better care of the trails, as well as maintain visitor access, safety, and enjoyment when we are not on site.
PLACES: Conservation Area Impact / Outcomes
The first CATS intake took place in the fall of 2019 and after a pause from the pandemic, was reinstated in the fall of 2021. So far this year, we have received 528 CATS reports. In that time, volunteers have engaged with the public 2129 times (and received lots of public “thank you’ s"), collected 200 bags of garbage, and reported on fallen trees on trails, dogs on and off leash, parked cars with and without permits, wildlife concerns, motorized vehicles on the trail, and muddy, icy, or clear trail conditions. They have also been helpful in the success of our turtle cover program by placing covers over clutches of eggs they witnessed a turtle laying and recording the location, reporting on the condition/location of those placed by the public, and helping hatchlings into the wetland. CATS volunteers have identified turtle laying species for those eggs that were covered and the species and number of hatchlings emerging from under the covers in the fall by filling out on online survey. They help return covers to the parking lot at the end of October to reduce Areas staff time for this task.
Describe the overall outcome and success of your project, noting your achievements in innovation and inspiration in PEOPLE, PLANNING and PLACES
Our CATS deliver on trail cleanliness, issues reporting, passive enforcement, and education. The program has been very successful and has addressed the request for more staff contact at our Areas. CATS also have reduced our public liability through their presence and reporting, and CATS reports have been used to document the frequency of trail inspections for insurance claims related to trail accidents and injuries. The program has also created an opportunity for folks to give back and take part in the responsibility of stewardship of the lands. The volunteers love the work that they do and take much pride in wearing the yellow volunteer vests when they are performing their CATS duties. The following is a quote from one of the CATS volunteers: "For many years, I have enjoyed hiking at CLOCA conservation areas with my kids, we are so fortunate to have these stunning natural areas in our community. I love that the CATS program allows me to give something back to the conservation areas that have brought my family so much joy. CATS is a very unique volunteer opportunity. You get to be out in the fresh air, surrounded by nature and the flexibility is perfect. As a busy working parent, I like being able to choose the days and times that I volunteer." -- Jillian
