The College of New Caledonia’s (CNC) Quesnel campus is blazing trails in the industry of trail building through its innovative Trails Design and Maintenance program.
Taught by noted trails expert Justin Truelove, the program offered students an education in trails theory, specialized trails design, chainsaw, wilderness first aid as well as hands-on experience building trails in different practicum environments.
“This is the only program of its kind in Canada,” he said. “CNC is on the cutting edge by offering training no one else has. The trails industry needs this.”
The need for quality recreational trails in northern B.C. is increasing. More and more communities are seeking trails as a way to offer cost-effective recreation infrastructure to residents and tourists.
Truelove, who is also the program director and trails specialist for the International Mountain Bicycling Association of Canada, was approached by CNC Quesnel with its vision to create a truly unique trails design program.
“Quesnel has the terrain, topography and vegetation that makes great recreational trails,” Truelove said. “We didn’t really know what the program would look like then, but I knew wanted to be a part of it.”
CNC’s first Trails Design and Maintenance cohort comprised of 11 diverse individuals.
Melanie Allen heard about the CNC’s trail program through her Back Country Horseman North Cariboo chapter group.
Following the recommendation of group’s president, she enrolled. Though she did not know what to expect coming in, Allen said it was an engaging experience allowing students to apply their knowledge through the creation of a trail in South Hill.
Trails are important to the community of Quesnel, she said.
“When I go out recreationally, I’m on trails,” Allen said. “Most people I know are also going on trails. We need more.”
The program concluded at CNC’s Quesnel campus on July 27, 2018. Truelove said the success of the program is in the work the students did building and maintaining trails in the community.
“At the end of the day, it was a really fun group,” he said. “Everyone was there to have a great time and soak up the knowledge.”