Conservation Sudbury aims to give hikers more insight into nature
General manager of Conservation Sudbury says funding for an extensive signage project is well underway
Conservation Sudbury will be pointing the way to a fuller experience for users of the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area.
General Manager Carl Jorgensen says new signage will help people navigate the 970-hectare preserve in the middle of the city.
Existing signage has often been slapped together, Jorgensen said, and were often made of foam core boards and even paper wrapped in plastic.
The new signage will be professional and durable for the next 10 years, he said. There will be seven interpretive panels to explain features in the natural surroundings. And, he hopes people enjoy learning about their surroundings.
"We just want to add that extra dimension so that people are really immersed in the experience — more than just a simple walk on a nice day," he said.
"Of course, if you don't want to stop and read the sign you can just enjoy the trail as it is. People may not think too much into what kind of forest they're looking at, [but]they may ask questions about whether this is a natural forest, has it been regenerated, is it planted."
A recent donation of $15,000 from Club Montessori puts the group closer to the $200,000 needed for the project.
A detailed map of the system and guidelines for trail users will be located at five trailhead locations, including those at the Nature Chalet and the BioSki Cottage as well as at access points to the trails system found at Moonlight Beach, Ida Street and Laurentian University.
with files from Kate Rutherford