This month, as we celebrate the second anniversary of the Okanagan Rail Trail, we salute the donors who made the trail happen and are continuing to support trail improvements, the volunteers working to make the trail even better, and the on-going collaboration between the jurisdictions to manage the trail.

Thank you Donors and Campaign Partners!

In July, for the first time since the original fundraising campaign, donors were invited to support an important trail improvement – creation of the first trail ‘gateway’ at Kilometre Zero in the North Okanagan.

The campaign has raised about 15% of the target amount so far through public donations.  Grants (from Regional District of North Okanagan, Okanagan Basin Water Board, TD Friends of Environment) and in-kind donations will allow the project to begin, and the site grading is already near completion.  Native plant restoration will showcase some of the beautiful, resilient, and culturally significant native plants at this northern trailhead, but a critical deadline is approaching.  To best ensure plant survival, planting needs to occur by late fall. By mid-October, work will be organized to ‘complete’ the site before winter.  The northern gateway needs your help now.

See how Mia Gordon of the Weather Network describes the campaign as the ‘perfect way to give back to the community and the environment’.  Watch video.

 

Filmed by Bike Virtual Film Festival (available until Oct. 1)

To help support Kilometre Zero fundraising, ‘two ordinary guys’ and a bunch of local sponsors have stepped up to offer a fun way to commemorate our love of cycling with world class biking films, and support the Okanagan Rail Trail at the same time! Read More

Rotary Club “Absolutely Enormous” Garage Sale

As always, Rotary Clubs are chipping in to help raise funds for the rail trail!  On October 3 (9am – 1pm) at 6061 Okanagan Ave. Vernon, Silver Star Rotary is partnering with Kal Rotary and Vernon Rotary to host an “Absolutely Enormous” garage and bake sale.  

Rotary Clubs are organizing garage sale items, and trail supporters are encouraged to donate either quality, current sporting goods, and/or bake sale items.  Please drop off donations on Friday October 2 between 5-7pm at 6061 Okanagan Ave., Vernon (ask for Teresa).

Proceeds from the garage sale will be matched up to $2000, so either donate or attend the sale to double your impact on the trail!

 

Trail Ambassadors and Volunteers

Due to Covid 19, Trail Ambassadors were delayed in getting out onto the trail, but two training sessions have been now held, and Trail Ambassadors are back at work welcoming visitors and providing the ‘eyes and ears’ for the trail.

Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail also spent many hours this year on identifying problem areas for invasive weeds, and conducting weed pulls.  A ‘Stewardship Committee’ will work towards enhancing this program for next year.

Since January, FORT volunteers have logged more than 900 hours in work including grant writing and fundraising, managing development projects with government partners, communications, recruiting and training volunteers, initiating programs for trail stewardship, and much more.  If you would like to know more, or volunteer for FORT, please contact: [email protected]