Montreal, May 13, 2021 — The outdoor federations, Rando Québec and Vélo Québec, are launching this year's Trail chores, to encourage volunteer maintenance and landscaping work, from May 15 to June 15.
The story
Rando Québec and Vélo Québec have been working together for several years to promote volunteerism on hiking and mountain biking trails. After 22 editions of National Trails Day, it was decided to stretch the promotion over a full month, to better meet the needs of trail managers.
However, the essence remains the same: to support trail managers in their annual clean-up, development and construction work. Examples of frequent tasks: repainting markers, collecting cut branches, removing garbage, trimming regrowth, clearing gullies, etc. On-site supervisors will oversee the various tasks during the day.
Why take part?
As Rando Québec blog contributor Émélie Rivard-Boudreau puts it, «while a single kilometer takes just a few minutes to cover, it takes hundreds of hours and tens of thousands of dollars to build and maintain. Because trail managers don't all have the same financial resources, the help of volunteers is essential, enabling many of them to create new trails, ensure hikers» safety by cutting down dead trees, pick up litter, and so on. Some managers are themselves volunteers, dedicating their time to providing access to nature for the surrounding population.
In addition to taking concrete action to support trail networks and their managers, volunteering also means meeting other outdoor enthusiasts (from a distance), staying in shape and breathing a healthy dose of fresh air!
How can I become a volunteer?
Those wishing to participate in a volunteer chore can :
• Register for Bénévolat en plein air au Québec group, managed by Rando Québec and Vélo Québec, featuring a wide range of volunteer opportunities.
• Contact local managers directly to find out about their needs
What about the pandemic?
Since trail maintenance and development is considered an essential service, it's possible to travel to take part in a volunteer chore. However, we recommend that you stay in your own area, or as close to it as possible. In addition, organizers of volunteer chores are asked to respect the sanitary measures in force in their region.
