STA Photo Contest 2021

It’s that time of the year again! The Saskatchewan Trails Association will be running its month-long Give Us Your Best Shot photo contest during the month of June.  The photo contest begins on Saturday, June 5 — Saskatchewan Trails Day – and concludes on Wednesday, June 30.

Rules for Entry:

The contest is available for all residents of Saskatchewan.  STA board and staff may submit their pictures, but are not eligible to win the contest. While photos may be submitted multiple times using Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or email, there is only one entry per unique photo.  You may enter as many photos as you wish to the contest.

To enter the STA Give Us Your Best Shot photo contest, you must submit your photos by posting on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #SaskTrailsPhotoContest2021 or email them to us at info@sasktrails.ca. We must be able to see your picture in order to be entered in the contest, so be sure to check your privacy settings.  Posts must be made public to be counted as an entry. When posting, if possible, format the photo in the highest resolution possible to ensure we are able to use it in printed materials. The winning photo may be used to promote trails in Saskatchewan through brochures, annual reports, social media and more.

Prizes:

The winners will be chosen at the end of the month, announced on all our pages, and will be contacted to arrange and claim their prize. Pictures will only be accepted into the contest until June 30th, so be sure to get your pictures in before the deadline. The top photo winner will receive a $200 gift certificate to Cabela’s and two honorary mentions will also be rewarded with Cabela’s gift cards valued at $50 each. As pictures come in they may be featured on our page, with credit to the photographer. We wish all who enter the best of luck, we can’t wait to see your adventures!

Additional Rules for Submissions:

If you do not want to grant Saskatchewan Trails Association (STA) these permissions, please do not submit your photo. In order for STA to use your photo, you confirm that (a) your photo is your own original work; (b) you own all the rights in the photo, including copyright; (c) you have the right to give STA the permission to use your photo for the purposes specified in these rules; (d) the photo is not defamatory and does not infringe any Canadian laws or violate the rights of any third party; (e) you have the consent of anyone who is identifiable in your photo or the consent of their parent or guardian if they are minors; (f) you waive any moral rights that you may have in the photo; (g) you indemnify STA against any claim, demand, action, suit, or other proceedings against STA arising out of the use of the photo or any false or inaccurate statements.

By entering, contestants agree to abide by the contest rules which shall be applied by Saskatchewan Trails Association.

(2020 Photo Contest winner Dean Kewaluk)

2021 Member Trail Grant Recipients

The STA is pleased to announce the recipients of our Member Trail Grant Program. We will be providing $500 grants to the Resort Village of Candle Lake, Town of Outlook, Town of St.Walburg and Resort Village of Manitou Beach.

The Candle Lake Trails Advisory Board (CLTAB) is comprised of volunteers appointed by the Resort Village of Candle Lake Council. CLTAB meets regularly, and works with Council to plan new routes and maintain existing trails in an effort to ensure the opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy a safe and varied outdoor experience year-round.

New trail head signage and directional signage for new trails, as well as repair and maintenance of existing signage, is an ongoing priority. Their Deep Bay to Telwin Trail, West Side Trail and West End Trail are all in need of main head structure repairs. Their trail names and activity signs are also in need of repair.

The Town of Outlook is a walking community and over the years the beautiful trail along the river has been neglected. They have an amazing group of volunteers and recreational staff that feel passionate about maintaining their walking trails so it can continue to be used safely.

Due to a high concentration of Dutch Elm disease in their area, removal of overgrowth on the trails is needed as well as the removal of Dutch Elm branches. They are also in need of loose gravel along the trail, a bench and a new map of the trail.

The trail in St. Walburg is part of The Great Trail and they have done significant improvements with new drainages and substates. They are in need of a new rustic sign that will enhance the entrance to their wonderful trail. They are also in need of new signage and new solar lights.

Manitou Beach established their trail system 6 years ago and have, along with the Resort Village of Manitou Beach and volunteers, have maintained, improved and added to the trail system over those years. The current trail system consists of 3 trails, 5+km, 2km and 1km in length.

The trail head sign has faded and needs to be renewed due to a change of location along with changes and additions to their existing trails signage. Trail signs give the users their location as well as sights in the area.

Four years ago, a borrow pit was created at the east end of the Village because of a need for clay for a flood protection berm to protect the low-lying areas of the Village. The Recreation Board has expanded the trail system to incorporate the borrow pit and they created a pond as a feature of their trails system. Their plan is to complete filling the dugout and stock it with fish as well as develop the trail around it. For the last three years, they have utilized the pond in the winter as an outdoor skating pond as well as an outdoor Crock curl surface.

Saskatchewan Trails Day

Come out and celebrate the beauty of the prairies during Saskatchewan Trails Day on June 5!

Quarantine fatigue is a reality for many of us as the pandemic continues. Many people find turning to nature helps curb feelings of isolation. The Saskatchewan Trails Association (STA) invites all residents to get out and enjoy the province’s trail network on Saskatchewan Trails Day on Saturday, June 5, while at the same time adhering to provincial health standards.

“We are pleased to be able to offer a slice of the outdoors through our many hiking trails,” said STA President David Powell. “It’s a great way to spend a day with family and friends, or even make your own solo adventure. As you are out on your exploration, we encourage you to share your experience and photos with us by using #SaskTrailsDay. You can follow us and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.”

If by chance you run into other trail lovers on your hike, the STA advises that you adhere to the guidelines set out by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). You can help protect yourself and others by practicing physical distancing, while also avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth as well as any other surfaces others may have come in contact with. It is also important to practice good hand hygiene.

If you’d like to find trails throughout the province, then check out the STA’s on-line trail directory at sasktrails.ca/trail-directory/.  The directory provides information about trails, locations, difficulty, length, photos and maps. This information can help you get from point A to point B and back, on your journey to experience nature on the trails.

As part of the Saskatchewan Trails Day celebrations, the STA is launching a month-long photo contest. Take lots of photos while hiking the trail you picked, and submit them to us through Instagram using #SaskTrailsPhotoContest2021. You can enter as often as you like, and there are prizes! The best images, as selected by the STA board of directors, can win a first prize of a $200 gift card or one of two honorary mentions valued at $50 each. All photos become property of the STA and will be used to promote your favourite trails. The contest begins on Saskatchewan Trails Day and wraps up on June 30 as part the province’s June is Recreation and Parks Month. A decision on the top photo prizes will be made the following week.

After you’ve experienced the trail system, the STA encourages you to make a donation to the trail of your choice, and to help support trail development and maintenance programs in Saskatchewan. Memberships for a STA member are also available for as little as $25 per year for an individual.  STA members have access to trail funding and other resources, and can attend and vote at meetings of members. Visit Sasktrails.ca to find out more information about trails and activities available in your area. Every new trail offers a unique adventure!

For more information, contact Pat Rediger at (306) 522-9326 or email prediger@sasktrails.ca.