A complete hiker is someone who, in addition to hiking the trails, is involved in their maintenance and sustainability, believes Rando Québec. That’s good, outdoor volunteering month is coming, it will be held from May 15 to June 15.
“We are trying to boost volunteering a little because we know that unfortunately, it is an activity that is carried out at the moment by people who are aging,” explains Gregory Flayol, deputy director and program manager at Rando Québec. It is important for us to bring volunteering up to date, to remember that being a complete hiker also means getting involved in the maintenance and perpetuation of the networks that we are used to using. all year round. »
Rando Québec and Vélo Québec launched a Volunteer Day five or six years ago, similar to what existed in the United States. The day has become a month, the initiative involves a greater number of outdoor activities and it is now orchestrated by the Réseau plein air Québec.
“We chose these dates because there is a lot of work to do to prepare outdoor sites for the summer season,” says Geneviève Désilets, communications director at Réseau plein air Québec. For trails, this may involve packing down branches that may have covered the path. In climbing, it might be removing moss from the walls. As for nautical matters, it could be removing waste from the banks. »
She recalls that several outdoor sites have been opened by volunteers. The organizations that have taken over some of them do not have a big budget and still rely on volunteers to keep the sites open.
Gregory Flayol notes that many outdoor enthusiasts “consume” activities as customers, without getting involved in the associative environment that allows many trail networks to exist. They are often unaware of all the work that needs to be done to preserve trails and other outdoor sites.
“If we leave a hiking trail to its own devices, nature will have taken back its rights in two years,” he says. Sometimes, the regrowth of certain plant species will cover almost the entire walking area. It really requires constant maintenance. »
PHOTO TAKEN FROM THE RANDO QUÉBEC FACEBOOK PAGE
Sometimes trail markings need to be improved.
There is also a security issue.
We must be able to ensure a safe activity for people. This is a lot of pressure on trail managers who often lack financial resources.
Gregory Flayol, deputy director and program manager at Rando Québec
In fact, all hikers can make a contribution by reporting to managers small problems encountered while hiking: a fallen tree, a missing marker, a shaky bridge.
“Often the manager is not in the field because he is in his office trying to find money,” says Mr. Flayol. It would already be good if all hikers had this reflex, benevolent, of course. It’s not about complaining to the manager, but giving them a quick report by email or phone. »
If a hiker does not have special training, he or she can still participate in chores by cutting regrowth and branches with pruning shears or a handsaw, replacing markers, picking up trash or helping with maintenance. light infrastructure, such as camping platforms.
PHOTO TAKEN FROM THE RANDO QUÉBEC FACEBOOK PAGE
People who have training in using a chainsaw do heavier work.
“Volunteers who have more specific training, such as in the use of chain saws, can do slightly more substantial work,” continues Mr. Flayol.
In the field of caving, it may be a question of erasing graffiti on the walls of caves or of collecting rubbish carried by underground waterways, indicates for her part Geneviève Désilets. In the canoe sector, this may involve clearing portage trails.
It’s a way to go and do a healthy activity because to go and open a hiking trail, it implies that you go hiking to get there. You can bring your family, your friends, you can also go alone: you will meet lots of other people who have the same interests as you, the atmosphere is jovial.
Geneviève Désilets, director of communications at Réseau plein air Québec
And if someone doesn’t want to do physical work in the field, there are other tasks to do.
“You can help by being part of the board of directors or by doing more administrative work, organizing events, for example. »
Outdoor enthusiasts can contact the managers of their favorite sites to offer their services, or consult the Bénévolat en plein air au Québec Facebook page to find out about the various chores that will soon be organized.
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