A Heartfelt Thanks to Digby Regional High School's O2 Class

On November 18th, 15 students from Digby Regional High School’s Options and Opportunities (O2) program came out to Van Tassel Lake Trails to lend a hand with some trail maintenance. The crew wasted no time, spreading woodchips and Class A gravel, and even enjoyed a guided tour of the Cascades Trail led by Greg Turner.

When I first started as Trails Coordinator, I was surprised by how few young people are involved in the trail community. I realized that there’s a real opportunity to engage the next generation in preserving and improving our trails. Getting the word out about how important their help is became a priority for me. The O2 program seemed like a perfect fit, and seeing these 15 students on the trails was a wonderful start. Their efforts are not only invaluable to our trail association, but they also make a lasting impact on the many users who enjoy the trails every day.

As i see it if two of the students walk away today with a deeper appreciation for volunteering or a better understanding of the trail’s community, then we have succeeded. Their hard work made a significant difference, and I truly hope it encourages them to return to the trails—not just as users, but as future volunteers.
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 We look forward to seeing them back on the trails in the future, and to inspiring even more young people to join in and make a difference.