Volunteer Brush-cutting Challenge

The welcomed precipitation of late has resulted in optimal growing conditions for all trailside vegetation. The trail crew and many volunteers have been hard at work with brush-cutting efforts to keep your favourite trails clear, but they need a hand!

So, from June 30th until July 31st, we are kicking off a Volunteer Brush-cutting Challenge! Lend a hand to our trail crew and give back to the trails, all while earning a chance to win some sweet prizes! We have a list of trails around the network that need brush-cutting and clearing work done. We are hoping this contest helps recognize the ongoing efforts of active volunteers who are already clearing trails and incentivizes some newer members to get out and lend a hand. There are some awesome prizes to be won!

How it works!
Trail Crew Manager & Lead Builder AJ Strawson has compiled a list of priority trails needing attention. Select a trail you would like to tackle, note your name in the sheet and get clearing! Once it’s done note the date it was completed and submit photos of your work as proof to vince@sorca.ca with the title of the trail in the email.

Prizing
Each trail you complete enters you for your chance to win one of 10 prizes! We will be giving out 3 $100 gift cards to Howe Sound Equipment as well as 7 SORCA prize packs.  The more trails you complete, the more entries you get and the better your chance at winning!

Trail Work/ Brush-cutting Parameters 
This type of trail work isn’t very technical, and therefore we hope a wide array of local trail stewards choose to get involved, whether you do or don’t have trail work experience, you could be a big help to our network!

What we are looking to do is cut and clear vegetation impinging, leaning, or growing into or onto the trail. We also want to ensure that we cut and remove vegetation far enough back that they don’t grow back into the trail in the near future. Sidenote*, it is nesting season, so if you encounter shrubbery thicker in diameter than ferns or weeds such as black or salmon berry bushes have a look to make sure you’re not destroying a nesting site. It should be rare to come across so close to a trail, but this is a disclaimer we need to note.

Tools
You can use tools from your homes, such as loppers or gas trimmers etc if you have them. If you don’t, we may have some we can lend. Reach out to AJ@sorca.ca, and he can sort you out.

Please wear proper PPE and be safe out on the trails. Thanks for taking part!