Trail Ambassadors

Volunteer Trail Ambassadors are the friendly faces you may meet along the trail who are ready to share local insights and hear from you about your experiences on the trail. They are the public face of the Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail, and the “eyes and ears” for the trail.  

The role of Trail Ambassadors is to:

  • Support the trail user experience;
  • Inspire users by sharing information on the trail environment and history;
  • Solicit feedback and information from users;
  • Be a visible presence on the trail to help ensure user safety;
  • Report to managing authorities on conditions and issues; and
  • Encourage compliance with trail etiquette and rules.

“Great exercise and important environmental stewardship, opportunities to connect with a variety of community members and visitors, and of course an ongoing way to drink in and give back to the natural beauty of this place.”

Val L., Trail Ambassador

Trail Stewards

A new program for trail stewardship volunteers is under development.  It is all about balancing our recreational enjoyment with taking care of this incredible greenway including the vegetated strips along the trail.  This is particularly important because the trail corridor follows lakeshore environments and waterways along much of its length.

The stewardship program could evolve to include:

  • Weed pulling and clipping to supplement the work of local governments, but using manual, non-chemical methods
  • Planting native plants and seeding areas as directed by a restoration plan.
  • Citizen science – to monitor restoration areas over time, wildlife habitat use, etc

 

Apply to Volunteer

Fundraising

Fundraising volunteers grow the funds to support specific rail trail improvement projects by writing grants and supporting other groups and organizations in their trail fundraising.  They also support, thank and acknowledge a most important trail friend – donors!

“The rail trail benefits so many people.  I love helping service clubs and local businesses find ways to help raise funds for rail trail projects.”

Fundraising Committee member

 

Communications

Communications volunteers help spread the word about FORT programs and activities!  The tools of this trade are this website, social media, presentations, media, and others, but most important –  understanding the audience and planning ahead.

Trail Improvement Projects

Local jurisdictions are responsible for planning, budgeting, approving  and undertaking trail improvement projects.

Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail complement and supplement the role of local jurisdictions by providing input to planning and undertaking specific approved projects that respect the trail’s brand identity and long term plan.

Board of Directors

Our working Board of Directors meet monthly to coordinate FORT projects and programs.  Current directors come from backgrounds of business and finance, tourism, park planning, engineering, health care, education, and information technology.  Contact us if you might be interested in future board vacancies.

 

Learn More

If you are a local resident that is passionate about your community and the Okanagan Rail Trail, we would love to have you join the trail volunteer team.

For more information, email: [email protected] or apply to be a volunteer using the link below.

Apply to Volunteer