TORONTO, ON — (24 September 2024) — The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) is thrilled to announce the installation of new trailhead signage in the Ganaraska Forest, made possible through the generous support and funding from the Greenbelt Foundation. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the experience and safety of all Forest users and promoting the significant environmental value of the Greenbelt.
The updated signage, strategically placed at five key parking lot locations, was completed in the summer of 2024. Each sign serves a multifaceted purpose, providing vital information about the GRCA and the Greenbelt, essential emergency and regulatory details, and detailed overview maps of the surrounding trails and Forest boundaries. These maps are specifically designed to help users navigate the Forest with ease, ensuring they are well-oriented to the trails in their immediate vicinity.
3-panel Central Ganaraska Forest Trailhead Sign
Moreover, the Ganaraska Forest Trails Map, available online and through the Field Maps app, complements the trailhead signage by offering a comprehensive guide to all available trails. This app leverages the GPS capabilities of mobile devices to provide real-time location data, even in areas of the Forest where cellular signals are not available. This feature significantly enhances the user experience, ensuring all visitors can enjoy the Forest safely and responsibly.
“The Greenbelt Foundation is proud to support the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority in their efforts to improve trailhead signage within the Ganaraska Forest,” says Edward McDonnell, CEO of the Greenbelt Foundation. “These signs not only enhance the experience for visitors but also play a crucial role in fostering a deeper connection between people and the natural landscapes that the Greenbelt protects. We’re delighted to see this project come to fruition, benefiting both the environment and the community.”
The GRCA would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the Greenbelt Foundation Board and Staff, whose unwavering support was integral to the successful creation and implementation of these updated signs. Their commitment to preserving the integrity of Ontario’s Greenbelt and promoting sustainable outdoor recreation has made this project possible.
“The GRCA is grateful for the support the Greenbelt Foundation has provided in the creation of these new trailhead signs,” says Linda Laliberte, GRCA CAO / Secretary-Treasurer. “Each sign provides unique, educational content about the Ganaraska Forest, while also providing important safety information for all visitors to the Forest.”
We invite all Forest users to explore these new signs in person at the Central Forest Trailhead, located at the Ganaraska Forest Centre or at Parking Lots P2, P5, P6, and P7, throughout the Ganaraska Forest. These signs are a testament to the ongoing collaboration between the GRCA and the Greenbelt Foundation, working together to protect and enhance our natural spaces for future generations.
2-panel West Forest Trailhead Sign (P2)
About the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority and the Ganaraska Forest
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) was formed in October 1946, under the Conservation Authorities Act, and is one of the oldest Conservation Authorities in Ontario. The watersheds of the GRCA cover approximately 935 square-kilometres, from Wilmot Creek in Clarington to east of Cobourg and the south shore of Rice Lake, down to Lake Ontario.
The GRCA owns and manages the Ganaraska Forest, which is the largest block of contiguous forest in Southern Ontario. At a huge expanse of roughly 4,452 hectares (11,000 acres), the Ganaraska Forest represents one of the most successful conservation projects ever undertaken in Central Canada.
For more information, please visit: grca.on.ca
About the Greenbelt and the Greenbelt Foundation
The Greenbelt Foundation is the only organization solely dedicated to ensuring the Greenbelt remains permanent, protected, and prosperous. The Foundation operates as an independent, charitable organization, and receives core funding from the Government of Ontario as well as other public and private support to make strategic investments that enhance and improve the systems and productivity of the Greenbelt. Since 2005, the Foundation has funded and leveraged more than $100 million through investment in its interconnected natural, agricultural, and economic systems, to ensure a working, thriving Greenbelt for all.
Now a world-class model for land use policy, Ontario’s Greenbelt spans over two million acres of protected natural landscapes, farmlands, and urban river valleys. For more information, visit: www.greenbelt.ca.
For further information, contact:
Craig Smith,
Communications & Creative Design Specialist,
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA)
Serena Luk,
Content and Media Relations Manager,
Greenbelt Foundation
-30-