Island Trails at the Winter Woodlot Tour

Charlottetown, P.E.I. — January 28, 2025

Oliver Wilson, left, Judith Mendiolea and Nathan Trainor at the Island Trail booth during the Winter Woodlot Tour 2025 at Miltonvale Park in P.E.I. / Blaine Auld photo.

(This story was originally published at the Footprints blog of Island Trails on January 28)

This year’s Winter Woodlot Tour was a resounding success, bringing together Islanders to celebrate the natural beauty of Prince Edward Island’s trails and forests.

Held on January 25 at 992 Rustico Road, Miltonvale Park, the event showcased the dedication of Island Trails and other environmental groups to preserving the island’s natural spaces while connecting with the community.

With 75 ballots entered in our free t-shirt raffle, we were thrilled to announce Valentina of Charlottetown as the winner.

Meanwhile, the event created opportunities for exciting discussions about potential partnerships with other conservation organizations, further strengthening our collective commitment to the environment.

A Team Effort on the Ground

The Island Trails booth was a hub of activity throughout the day, thanks to the efforts of Oliver Wilson, president of Island Trails, and board members Nathan Trainor and Judith Mendiolea. They engaged with visitors, shared information about our initiatives, and inspired many to consider joining the Island Trails community.

“Our trails are a spectacular natural asset,” said Wilson. “They allow you to connect with nature, reinvigorate your mental and physical health, and learn about the history of the island.”

For Trainor, volunteering with Island Trails is about giving back.

“The more hands we have to clean up after winter winds or maintain trail safety, the better we can preserve these spaces for everyone,” he said.

2024 Highlights and What’s Ahead

This past year has been monumental for Island Trails. From extensive post-Hurricane Fiona recovery efforts to celebrating the Confederation Trail’s non-motorized designation, we’ve accomplished milestones that underscore our commitment to preserving P.E.I.’s natural beauty.

Cathy Schaap left, and Oliver Wilson attended the Island Trails Annual General Meeting on Nov. 6 at Summerside, P.E.I. Schaap will step down from the presidency of the organization in late November leaving Wilson as the new elected president. /Judith Mendiolea photo.

• Hurricane Fiona Recovery Project: Over 1,300 volunteer hours were logged to clear and reopen trails like Winter River, Dromore Woodlands, and Mooney’s Pond.

  
  

• Island Trails Challenge: With 301 hikes recorded and over 3,000 km logged, Islanders embraced the outdoors like never before.

  
  

• Triple Trail Trek Event: Held in October, 120 participants hiked three trails in one day, enjoying the vibrant fall foliage.

  
  

• PEI Photo Lab Partnership: This collaboration continues to build an archive of trail landscapes, preserving P.E.I.’s natural beauty for generations to come.

  
  

Looking ahead to 2025, Island Trails has even more exciting initiatives planned, including:

• Educational Travel Grants: Providing transportation for homeschooling groups to explore trails and learn about conservation.

  
  

• Environmental Sciences Scholarship: A $5,000 scholarship for university students in partnership with the Community Foundation of PEI.

  
  

• Enhanced Trail Amenities: Responding to community feedback, we’ll add restroom facilities along the Confederation Trail to improve accessibility for non-motorized users.

  
  

Oliver Wilson, Island Trails’ new president, is optimistic about the road ahead.

“Our trails are a spectacular natural asset in one of the most beautiful places in the world. They allow you to connect with nature, reinvigorate your mental and physical health, and learn about the history of the island.”

Celebrating Community and Collaboration

Judith Mendiolea, left and Oliver Wilson enjoying a break during the Winter Woodlot Tour 2025 at the Watershed Alliance photo booth. / Justine Talla photo.

This year’s Winter Woodlot Tour wasn’t just a celebration of trails; it was also an opportunity to strengthen ties with the broader conservation community.

Representatives from some organizations stopped by the Island Trails booth to discuss potential collaborations, emphasizing the shared responsibility of preserving P.E.I.’s natural beauty.

Island Trails also used the event as a platform to highlight its ongoing projects, including post-Hurricane Fiona recovery efforts, the Island Trails Challenge, and trail amenity enhancements.

Why Volunteer?

Island Trails thrives on the passion and dedication of its volunteers. Whether it’s maintaining trails, organizing events, or contributing on a leadership level, every effort makes a difference.

“Volunteering with Island Trails is incredibly fulfilling,” Trainor said. “It’s a way to give back to a resource that so many Islanders use and love.”

“If we didn’t have people willing to maintain them, the trails might fall by the wayside,” he said. “It’s part of my responsibility as a community member to support what I enjoy — and to ensure it’s there for others, too.”

From cleanup days to board meetings, Island Trails offers numerous opportunities for people to connect with nature and their community.

“We’re always welcoming new members to join our talented team and realize our vision to be a world leader in walking trails,” Wilson added.

Looking Ahead

With the Winter Woodlot Tour behind us, Island Trails is already gearing up for another exciting year of conservation and community engagement.

From new partnerships to upcoming trail improvements, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2025.

Preserving P.E.I.’s trails is a collective effort, and we invite all Islanders to join us in keeping these spaces thriving for future generations.

For more information on volunteering opportunities or to stay updated on Island Trails’ initiatives, contact us here!

Let’s keep our trails thriving — together!