Tuesday, August 20, 2024 Trans Canada Trail is thrilled to announce that Parks Canada will be officially endorsing the 2024 World Trails Conference, set to take place from September 30 to October 3 in Ottawa. This year’s World Trails Conference, organized by Trans Canada Trail, promises to be a premier global event bringing together outdoor enthusiasts, experts, and advocates. With over 100 speakers from various countries, the conference will explore this year’s theme, “Connection to People, Places, and the Planet,” offering diverse insights into the future of trails and their significance for communities, nature, and overall well-being.
Parks Canada’s endorsement marks a significant milestone, as this will be the first time the conference is held in North America. “We are very grateful for Parks Canada’s support of the World Trails Conference and their continued commitment to supporting Canada’s nationwide system of trails,” says Mathieu Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Trans Canada Trail. “Parks Canada has played a vital role in helping us bring key stakeholders from the global trail sector to Canada’s capital this fall.
The World Trails Conference will provide a unique opportunity to put our country’s natural beauty front and centre for an international audience and we are thankful to Parks Canada for their help making it a reality.” As a prominent steward of visitor experiences, conservation, and the protection of national historic sites, parks, and marine conservation areas across Canada, Parks Canada has consistently supported Trans Canada Trail. Established in 1992, Trans Canada Trail has garnered over $100 million in investments from various federal administrations.
In 2022, the Government of Canada reaffirmed its commitment by pledging $55 million over the next five years to sustain and enhance Canada’s expansive trail network. “Parks Canada is proud to represent the Government of Canada as one of many contributors to the Trans Canada Trail,” says Ron Hallman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada. “As a leader in the development and maintenance of trails, Parks Canada supports a trail network with partners like Trans Canada Trail to connect people to nature, improve mental health and wellness, promote regional economic development and tourism, and provide opportunities to support reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and communities.
” Parks Canada will be actively participating in the World Trails Conference through a range of activities, including panel discussions, breakout sessions, and specialized workshops. They will also host an interactive workshop along the pathways of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site. The conference will feature prominent keynote speakers such as Dianne Whelan, the acclaimed filmmaker and director of “500 Days in the Wild,” esteemed Canadian conservationist Harvey Locke, and Carol Ritchie, the Executive Director of EUROPARC.
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