100s support Carmi trails

Photo: Neda Joss

Attendees at the Carmi Trails Appreciation Day on Jan. 1.

Over 200 people turned out to an event New Year's Day to show support for the Carmi Recreation Trails and oppose proposed logging in the area.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 1, volunteers greeted visitors at the area trail head, about four kilometres up the Carmi Forest Service Road. 

"We didn't know what to expect, but throughout the day we had more than 200 people there," said Neda Joss, who organized the event. "The parking lot was full, there were cars lined up down the road for half a kilometre as well."

Snowshoers, hikers and horseback riders alike turned up to enjoy hot chocolate and treats and the trail head, and experience the trails.

Joss called the support "incredible," and said that MLA Dan Ashton and MP Richard Cannings came by to show their support. 

The Save Carmi Trails group, of which Joss is a founding member, had volunteers on site to help attendees sign an ongoing petition to stop logging in the area, as well as offering information on how to write to provincial ministers to share concerns. 

"The whole goal for this was to get people out on New Years Day to appreciate the trails," Joss said. "I talked to about five different couples that had come up there, and it was their first time up. They loved it up there, they kind of joined on with the petition."

Joss added there were plenty of families at the event with kids as well. She said that moving forward, the group will be focusing on encouraging people to send letters to their representatives in provincial and federal government.

"We need the community to back us up on this. It is a community area that's enjoyed by all," Joss said. 

Photo: Neda Joss