Volunteer Opportunities

The Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club needs and welcomes volunteers for a variety of activities. Getting involved is usually very personally satisfying. You get out of doors, you meet and work with other people, and you contribute to the maintenance of a Trail that can be enjoyed by thousands of people in a season. Some activities to consider are listed below. If one of the following opportunities is of interest to you, please e-mail or call the appropriate Director, President Tony Hopkins, or Volunteer Director Susan Preyde.

The Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club has an opening on the Board of Directors for Volunteer Coordinator/Director. 

Here's some information from the BTC Volunteer Management Manual about the position:
“Purpose: to coordinate the use of volunteers throughout the Club, and to facilitate the recruiting, training and recognition of all volunteers in the Club, under the direction of the BTC Director of Volunteer Programs.”

Qualities needed:
Time Commitment: 8-12  hours per month

This is your chance to have some input into the direction of the Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club.  Club board meetings are usually on Wednesday evenings (though the next one is on a Monday evening) and are held every 4 to 6 weeks and usually not during the summer. 
I have held this position for a number of years and can provide extensive support and training.  Please contact me with any questions if you might be interested in being our new Volunteer Coordinator/Director - Please write to me at duffhiland@hotmail.com or call me at home at 705 458 0167.
Thanks.
Sincerely, Susan Preyde

Trail Maintenance

A lot of work is needed to maintain the Trail. Why not consider joining us on a Trail Maintenance Day? You will be carrying out tasks to keep the Trail open and safe so that hikers will enjoy their experience when they hike our section. You could be doing tasks such as building bridges and stiles, sidelogging a hill, constructing a boardwalk over a wet a rea, removing fallen trees, clearing grass and brush, putting up signs, or painting blazes. Usually you are part of a work crew. Scheduled Trail Maintenance Days are on weekends, but specific tasks may be carried out when volunteers are available.

In the dead of winter it is good to remember that some day the snow will melt, green shoots will push through the dead leaves, and we can return to our home in the forest to build trails.

We have lots of exciting projects this year that will challenge your strength and skill, and give you an opportunity to create beautiful, unique trails.
Phone or e-mail before each scheduled day to check for changes due to weather or other changing conditions.

We meet at Superburger, Hwy. 10 & Hwy. 89, 9:30 A.M., on Saturdays. We finish by 2:00 P.M. and return to Superburger for lunch. Bring work clothes, snacks, water, gloves, and any tools that you have.

Click this link for full schedule and pictures of trail builders.

Trail Captains

As in the other eight Clubs, the Dufferin Hi-Land section of the Trail is divided into sections, each of which is under the scrutiny of a Trail Captain. The Trail Captains inspect their sections three times per year and fill out a report on what needs to be done. If you would like to become a Trail Captain, please contact Trail Director Earl Cowan or Assistant Trail Director Ralph Tremills.

Hike Leaders

The Club always needs hike leaders and ideas for special hikes. The most important requirement here is the interest to be on the Trail and to help others to enjoy hiking. The fundamentals of leading an enjoyable and safe hike are provided. If you have any questions, or would like to become a hike leader, please contact Hike Director Rick McCoy or Volunteer Director Susan Preyde.

Special Events

There are several occasions where volunteers are required for special tasks. This includes maintaining a checkpoint on an End-to-End hike, assisting with Bruce Trail Day in October, participating in events such as the Alliston Potato Festival, and organizing social or fundraising events. Please contact Volunteer Director Susan Preyde if you would like to assist.

Land Securement

Many of us may not realize that, at present, only 47% of the Bruce Trail is considered secure and safe from development. And perhaps even fewer of us realize that the Bruce Trail Conservancy is the only charitable organization working to preserve public access to the Niagara Escarpment while restoring its natural habitat. In order to conserve the Escarpment, the Conservancy acquires land in two ways: through purchase with funds raised by donations and fundraising efforts or by a landowner donation.
We would appreciate being informed of properties that come up for sale along the Optimum Route. If you frequently travel the roads near and along the Dufferin Hi-Land section of the Trail, you could be a "securement spotter" and help us to preserve this natural treasure!