You'll be able to see the forest through the trees during an upcoming guided tour of Simcoe County-managed forest tracts in celebration of National Forest Week.
The County of Simcoe is offering free, guided hikes led by forestry staff who will share each forest tract's history and explain the current management practices of the county's forestry department.
Each of the hikes is about 1.5 kilometres long and will take about 90 minutes. The terrain is considered easy and a beginner-level trail, according to a news release from the County of Simcoe.
National Forest Week, which runs Sept. 17 to 23, is an initiative led by the Canadian Institute of Forestry and meant to celebrate the heritage, value and importance of forest networks to the economy and environment. The Institute named Simcoe County the forest capital of Canada for 2022, which is the second time the county has had the designation. The first time was in 1982. The award recognizes forest and environmental stewardship and leadership in the field.
The area hikes will be taking place over two weeks in order to also include the Forest Stewardship Council's forest week, which is Sept. 24 to 30. The County of Simcoe has maintained its certification with the non-profit Forest Stewardship Council for responsible forest management since 2010, according to the news release.
Hikes start this Sunday, Sept. 17 and take place on Sept. 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26 and 28. The hike details are as follows:
- Sept. 17
- Sutherland, 10 a.m., 2573 5th Line, Oro Medonte
- Baxter, 1 p.m., 6596 6th Line, Essa
- Sept. 19
- Slessor, 5 p.m., 3721 Burnside Line, Severn
- Sept. 20
- Martin's Valley/Charlebois, 5 p.m., 390 Wilson Rd., Tiny
- Sept. 21
- Packard, 5 p.m., 9398 9th Line, Essa
- Sutherland, 5 p.m., 2573 5th Line, Oro Medonte
- Sept. 23
- Packard, 10 a.m., 9398 9th Line, Essa
- Sept. 24
- Hendrie, 10 a.m., 1350 Nursery Rd., Springwater
- Sept. 26
- Hendrie, 5 p.m.., 1350 Nursery Rd., Springwater
- Sept. 27
- Martin's Valley/Charlebois, 5 p.m., 390 Wilson Rd., Tiny
- Sept. 28
- Baxter, 5 p.m., 6596 6th Line, Essa
For more details and a list of tours, visit simcoe.ca.
