Copeland Forest Update – Trails Moratorium to Protect Forest
Over the past two years, many community residents have reached out to Copeland Forest Friends Association expressing concern about the continued building of single-track trails in the Copeland Forest, despite it being already saturated with trails. Copeland Forest Friends Association (CFFA), a not-for-profit organization charged
Georgian Paving Makes Parking at Copeland Forest a Smoother Experience
The next time you are in Parking Lot 1 or 2 off Ingram Road, you and your vehicle might just notice how much smoother those parking lots now are. Recently, Georgian Paving donated time and resources to grade P1 and P2 and add 5 loads
Spring Brings Wildflowers
May and June are a great time to visit the Forest and view and array of wildflowers. Bring your camera for this annual show of colour.
Download the Trails Map
Download a map of all the major trails in the Copeland Forest.
Copeland Forest Friends
The Copeland Forest is a 4,400 acre Resource Management Area in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada, owned by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests. The size, beauty, and unfettered use of the forest by a wide variety of recreational users inspired an initiative to conserve the natural integrity of the forest and facilitate compatible recreational use.
In October 2015 the Copeland Forest Friends Association formed a Non-Profit Corporation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the MNRF, and began offering memberships. The organization has been structured to ensure that all of the major recreational user groups are represented equally. There are many ways to join us including becoming a member, volunteering, making a donation, and signing up for our newsletter. We look forward to seeing you in the forest!
Copleland Friends on Facebook
Join the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association on September 19th for a guided hike in Copeland Forest. Details below!![]()
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When![]()
Sunday, Sep 19, 2021![]()
Description![]()
1:30pm Copeland Forest Hike![]()
Moderate hike for approx. 2 hrs. Meet in P2 parking lot on Ingram Road just east of Line 4![]()
The hike will be followed by a corn/wiener roast at 4pm at 2056 Brown Road, Springwater. Bring a lawn chair and $6.00.![]()
Must pre-register with a hike leader by Friday, Sept. 17. (see Contact Leaders below). Preference will be given to Ganaraska members. Covid protocols will be in place - these include keeping your distance, stepping off the trail by 6 feet if passing/meeting others, and staying home if you have any symptoms of illness.![]()
Contact Leaders:![]()
Wayne - 705-718-0143 / Sue - 705-722-0395
COPELAND FOREST FRIENDS SUMMER UPDATE![]()
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At our June 17th Board meeting, we elected our Executive for the upcoming year. David Kennedy is returning as Board President, while Ray Gingras was re-elected as Vice-President, Sandra McLoughlin as Treasurer, and Kyra Howes will be taking over the position of Secretary. ![]()
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David’s experience and knowledge make his return as President timely, especially in light of the increased pressures on the Forest since the start of the pandemic. David said, “I am looking forward to working with all user groups to put the health of the forest first and put in place a process to develop a new vision for the Association’s future.” ![]()
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Over the course of the summer and beyond, David will also lead the development of new board policies and procedures and help improve our membership process. David reported, “We now have over 250 members and many new volunteers, so we need to refine our processes for engaging members and volunteers. To help facilitate this, a task group is working to revamp our web site and our membership system.” ![]()
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Brad Turner, outgoing President, will be chairing an interim trail committee that will focus on developing terms of reference and recommendations for composition of a permanent Trails Committee. The new committee will be governed by the need to consider the health of the forest first and foremost while considering the interests of all users. While the interim committee addresses these items, the moratorium on trail building will remain in effect, and the public is reminded that, if they see any trail building activity, to contact trails@copelandfriends.ca. ![]()
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Kyra Howes, who is also Chair of the Ecology and Sustainability Committee, will be looking at how to strengthen this committee. Their work will enable us to update our understanding of the forest and ensure effective ecological input into trail stewardship. ![]()
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Looking beyond the summer, David concluded, “We will also develop new ways of reaching out to our membership and community to get input on future directions for the Forest and the trails. We will be back in touch with all concerned in the fall. In the meantime, enjoy the forest this summer.” ![]()
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For more information and updates, please visit the Copeland Forest Friends Association website at: www.copelandfriends.ca/.