Five Bridges Wilderness Heritage Trust
Record #:
NST0008
Last Modified:
25 Apr 2019
Last Full Update:
26 Mar 2019
Location
Located In | Halifax Peninsula |
Areas Served | Halifax Regional Municipality |
Contact
Description & Services
Information | Established in 2001, the Five Bridges Wilderness Heritage Trust is a registered charity run by volunteers who love their community and its’ public natural spaces. By combining the talents, knowledge and skills of its’ founding volunteers, the Trust successfully lobbied the Nova Scotia government to declare 27,000 acres of public land on the Chebucto Peninsula, a designated wilderness area. That special designation was achieved in 2011. Since then, the Trust has continued to preserve and protect the space by involving the community in exploration, hikes, education and encouraging wilderness appreciation for the area. The wilderness area lands encompass five distinct watersheds, rivers, lakes and even a settler route that is estimated to be about 200 years old. Named the Old St. Margaret’s Bay Road, this overgrown trail was once used as a busy horse and buggy route from the metropolis of Halifax to the beaches of Seabright and St. Margaret’s Bay. The Trust recently updated a free Walking Guide to the Old St. Margaret’s Bay Road and offered 4,000 copies to the eager community of outdoor enthusiasts interested in the history and landscape of the area.  The Trust is supported by approximately 150 Members who annually donate $10 for a Trust Membership. That is the same fee as was established in 2001. The Trust continues to be a strong community supporter offering wilderness hikes, nature-focused events and stewardship grants to support other community groups that align with its environmental protection and enjoyment focus. Today the Trust’s Objectives include working with the provincial government: • To protect and restore the natural habitat, watersheds, and wildlife on public lands in the area bounded by Highways 103 and 333 on the Chebucto Peninsula. • To use these lands for scientific, educational, and recreational activities, consistent with its commitment of protection, conservation, and stewardship. • To manage the land use with an informed, comprehensive, and holistic view. • To develop a model for local community management of wilderness areas. • To contribute to the economic, cultural and social life of the area. We encourage all those interested in the Trust and its’ work to become a Member and support the Board of Trustees by volunteering. Your donations are also welcomed and as a charity, the Trust can provide a Canadian tax receipt for your generosity. |
Eligibility | Ages: 18 year(s) and up |
Meetings | 3rd Tuesday each month (Except July, August & December) |
Special Information
Tags | All Things Trails ; HALIFAX ; NS Trail Guide ; Recreation Categories ; Volunteer Community Trail Groups |
Categories - General | Hiking ; Trail Development Advocacy Groups and Organizations ; Volunteer Opportunities ; Walking Tours |