Snowmobile Trails to Be Mapped

Sport and Recreation Minister Rodney MacDonald today announced a $1,500 Outdoor Recreation grant to assist the Snowmobilers Association of Nova Scotia (SANS) in mapping trails for use on the Trails Information Project Web site (www.trails.gov.ns.ca/ )

Volunteers using global positioning systems (GPS) equipment will travel more than 2,500 kilometres of maintained snowmobile trails to collect real-time global information systems (GIS) data. The GPS equipment, carried in a backpack, records way-points (longitude and latitude) at set intervals.

"An accurate GIS database will eventually lead to a comprehensive snowmobile trail map for Nova Scotia," said Mr. MacDonald. "The GPS equipment accepts text data, so volunteers can enter useful trail information about trail start/end areas, service and safety areas, major intersections, club houses, warming huts, scenic points of interest and club boundaries. Snowmobiling will be a safer, more enjoyable experience for Nova Scotians and for visitors."

"Recently we have had a wealth of out-of-province requests for people wanting to visit Nova Scotia," said SANS president Laurie Cranton. "An accurate map will be a useful promotional tool for winter snowmobile tourism -- and for proposing new trails and negotiating and renewing land-use agreements with land owners and managers."

In addition to the commission's grant, the SANS contribution of $7,500 will be enhanced by equivalent in-kind donations of $20,000 from member clubs, with a further $2,500 in-kind from SANS.

The Trails Information Project Web site provides information and maps on Nova Scotia snowmobile trails, as well as shared-use trails, canoe waterways, sea kayak routes, coastal-water trails and the Trans Canada Trail.