Meet the staff and board members of Hope Mountain Centre. Meet The Team STAFF Kristine Pérez de León Executive Director Kelly Pearce Trails Director Meg Turner Program Director Tunde Murphy Administrative Director Emily Strukoff Outdoor Educator Claire Grantham Outdoor Educator Jerome Guay Trails SEASONAL STAFF Natalie Worrall Special Projects Vacant Trail Crew Leader Walden Darwin Trail Crew Leader Elias Neitzke Trail Crew Logan Meiser Trail Crew Chris Broswick Trail Crew Rebecca Parson Manning Park Interpreter Caden Cumming Manning Park Interpreter Ali Chiasson Manning Park Interpreter BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robyn Barker Chair Vacant Vice Chair Mike Millar Treasurer Jo Hughes Director Nat Baker Director Matt Turner Director Allan Gossen Director Abhi Satyanarayana Director Adam Keil Director

Othello Tunnels Othello Tunnels CURRENT STATUS - last updated June 2026 While the main out-and-back walk through Tunnels 1 to 5 is fully open, the connected, longer "Hope-Nicola Valley Trail" loop and access from the FVRD KVR Trail remains closed due to severe storm and wind damage. Stay on the designated Kettle Valley Rail bed trail and enjoy the turnaround at the fifth tunnel. Trail Stats Trailhead Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nty6oz62Gb8dNc9K9 Round Trip Trail Distance in KM: 2km Elevation Gain in M: 20 Highest Point in M: 200 Dogs Allowed: Yes (on leash) 4 X 4 Needed: No Map Trail Access The main trailhead and large paved parking lot are located in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park at the end of Tunnels Road in Hope, BC, Canada. Here is the google map for the parking lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xsXPx8kU3q2kUVst6 Othello Tunnels can also be accessed from the "back end" in the town of Hope at the end of Kettle Valley Road via FVRD's KVR trail. That trailhead is located here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/82kkyBtgu49yaNDc8 The trail is located in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park (one of BC Parks) in the town of Hope. There are toilets and garbage cans in the parking lot but none along this trail. When hiking this and every trail please make sure to carry The Ten Essentials and practice Leave No Trace principles. Public Transportation Options Tourism Hope, Cascades and Canyons is offering a shuttle bus via ParkBus from Vancouver to Hope. Learn more and book now at tourismhcc.ca/vancouver-to-othello-tunnels/ Trail Description Othello Tunnels trail is a spectacular blend of dramatic natural geography and early 20th-century engineering. The route follows a flat, decommissioned section of the historic Kettle Valley Railway. It guides you over elevated bridges and straight through a series of five massive tunnels blasted directly out of solid granite cliffs, hundreds of feet above the roaring, turquoise Coquihalla River. Note the trail is open seasonally from May to October (closed in winter due to falling rock and ice hazards). Dogs on-leash are permitted on the trail, but please be responsible to ensure they are picked up after and do not wander off the trail to disturb wildlife or the surrounding habitat. There is cell phone reception on this trail but it's always best to download any electronic maps you plan on using beforehand such as Gaia GPS or AllTrails . The path is wide, covered in packed gravel, and very easy to navigate—making it popular for families, casual walkers, and on-leash dogs. As you leave the main parking lot, you quickly plunge into the canyon where the air turns cool and crisp. You will pass through the hand-carved, dark interiors of the "Othello Quintette" tunnels, interspersed with open-air trestle bridges. Standing on the bridges, you get a front-row view of the sheer vertical cliffs and the turbulent, churning water below. Quick Tips for Your Visit Bring a light: A couple of the longer tunnels are pitch black in the middle, and the gravel floor can be uneven from overhead water drips. A headlamp, flashlight, or your smartphone light is essential to avoid tripping. Bikes welcome, with a catch: You can ride the trail, but BC Parks requires cyclists to dismount and walk their bikes while passing through the tunnels themselves. Arrive early: Because it is incredibly accessible and scenic, the free parking lot fills up quickly on sunny summer weekends. Weekday mornings or early evenings are the best times to beat the crowds. History The history of the Othello Tunnels is essentially a story of human stubbornness winning a fight against impossible geography. It is widely considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the early 20th century. Here is how a treacherous canyon became a railway line. The Motivation: A Railway Rivalry In the late 1800s and early 1900s, rich deposits of silver, copper, and gold were discovered in the Kootenay region of southern British Columbia. The problem? There was no easy way to get those resources to the coast. The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) had a monopoly on the northern route, but American rail companies began building lines northward across the border to scoop up the Canadian minerals. To protect Canadian economic interests and secure the border, the CPR commissioned a new, southern rail line: the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR). The Challenge: The Coquihalla Gorge The biggest obstacle on the entire route was the Coquihalla Gorge—a sheer, narrow, 300-meter-deep slot cut through solid granite by the roaring Coquihalla River. Most engineers looked at the canyon and declared it completely impossible to build a railway through it. Enter Andrew McCulloch, the brilliant chief engineer of the KVR. McCulloch took on the challenge in 1911. Instead of trying to blast a wide ledge along the cliff face—which would have been wiped out by constant winter avalanches and rockfalls—McCulloch decided on a radical alternative: he would drill straight through the cliffs. The Engineering Feat: 1911–1916 Building the tunnels was an incredibly dangerous, grueling process that took over four years. Suspended Blasting: Because the canyon walls were near-vertical, workers had to be lowered down the cliffs in wicker baskets suspended by ropes hundreds of feet above the raging river. Dangling in mid-air, they hand-drilled holes into the solid granite, packed them with dynamite, lit the fuses, and were frantically hauled back up before the blast. The "Quintette" Alignment: McCulloch designed a series of five tunnels that perfectly align in a straight line. If you stood at the right spot when they were operational, you could look straight through all five tunnels consecutively. The Cost: The project cost an astronomical $300,000 per mile in 1914 money—roughly five times the budget of a standard railway line at the time. The Shakespeare Connection Andrew McCulloch was a deeply cultured man with a passion for classic literature, particularly William Shakespeare. While spending years in the harsh wilderness managing rough rail crews, he passed the time reading. When it came time to name the stations, sidings, and landmarks along the Coquihalla subdivision, McCulloch ignored local geography and used Shakespearean characters. Thus, the tunnels became Othello, and nearby stops on the line were named Lear, Jessica, Portia, Iago, Romeo, and Juliet. Decommissioning and Legacy The Kettle Valley Railway officially opened in 1916. However, nature never truly stopped fighting back. The Coquihalla route was plagued by washouts, heavy winter snowpacks, mudslides, and rockfalls that made maintenance a constant nightmare. On November 23, 1959, a massive washout destroyed a major section of the tracks just below the tunnels. The CPR decided that the line was simply too expensive and dangerous to keep repairing. The tracks through the Coquihalla Canyon were officially abandoned, and the rails were pulled up in 1961. In 1986, the provincial government recognized the historical and engineering significance of the site, transforming the abandoned rail bed into Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park so visitors could walk through McCulloch's tunnels on foot. Other Trails Nearby Trail Reports Feel free to leave a comment below with trail reports so other users can learn about current conditions. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Manning Park Bird Blitz Photo: Hasitha Samarajeewa When: Friday-Sunday, June 14-16, 2024 Where: Lone Duck 2, Manning Park Cost: $75 - Full Weekend Birder $60 - 1 Night Camping Birder (Friday or Saturday) $45 - Day Birder + BBQ $35 - Day Birder (no BBQ) FREE - Young Birder (Children and youth under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian) Register For more information or questions, please contact Tunde at tmurphy@hopemountain.org or 604-869-1274 Returning for its 41th year, don’t miss this annual important citizen science initiative! With a diverse mix of coastal, mountain, and interior climates, E.C. Manning Provincial Park supports a massive variety of birds - over 200 species! June is a great time to visit, when forests are alive with a riot of birds exuberantly advertising for mates and defending territory. This, combined with the park’s extensive network of scenic trails, makes Manning a paradise for birders - experts and novices alike! About the Manning Park Bird Blitz Founded by Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission’s (SEEC) Canadian Commissioner Gail Ross in 1983, making it British Columbia’s longest-running bird count! The original intentions were to create an event that would not only promote the activity of birding, but also encourage expert birders to help create continuity by sharing their knowledge and passion with those less experienced. Conducting an annual bird-count would create an official record of presence and absence of bird species in Manning Park during active breeding season (June). The Bird Blitz has provided a multi-year database of Manning Park birds that is shared with park staff, biologists, and the general public. It is a beloved event the Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning is proud to carry on. A fun social event, it is also a nice time for old acquaintances to reconnect, and new birders to join a group of passionate comrades! We are so grateful for Ross creating this lasting tradition that has improved our understanding of Manning Park's ecological richness while also building a strong community of birders who celebrate the beauty and importance of the avian world. Itinerary: Friday, June 14, 2024 02:00pm- Birders may arrive and set up camp at Lone Duck 2. Some birders may choose to stay at nearby fixed roof accommodations (at their own cost). 06:00pm – Meet at the registration/resources tent at Lone Duck 2 Campground , E.C. Manning Provincial Park and check-in, sign liability waivers . You can avoid the crunch and check in early, anytime between 2:00 – 6:00pm. There is plenty of room for RV’s, campers, trailers and tents. 07:00pm – Evening presentation by Hasitha Samarajeewa Participants must arrange their own transportation to Manning Provincial Park and to areas chosen for birding within the park. Saturday, June 15, 2024 Early Morning – Friday campers start at various times through the early morning (as arranged Friday evening), birding groups will begin hiking different trails in Manning Park to record species and numbers of birds (by sight or call). 17 birding areas have been identified in the park and birders are welcome to visit as many of these areas as they wish 08:00 - 8:40am – New arrivals check in at registration table at Lone Duck 2 campground and join their expert level group. 09:00am – “Introduction to Birding” for beginner birders –Kelly Pearce and Scott Denkers will lead a morning outing for beginners “Intermediate Birding” for birders with a little more experience. Our guest birder Bill Kinkaid will lead a morning outing with more advanced birders 05:00pm – Birders gather at Lone Duck 2 campground for an evening barbecue (we will provide buns/dinner rolls, salads, chips, juice, tea, hot chocolate, coffee and condiments–bring your own choice of protein!) 06:30pm – After dinner, birders will meet around the campfire for a quick run-through of the day’s bird and other wildlife sightings, sharing their thrilling moments and exciting debacles! 07:30pm – Evening presentation by John Gordon Sunday, June 16, 2024 More birding will occur in those areas not covered on Saturday, with people leaving Sunday afternoon. If you are birding on the way out of the park, please send us your completed checklist as soon as possible. Be aware that times are approximate! Start and end times may vary slightly. Price includes: Full Weekend Birder – $75 Fee covers Friday & Saturday camping fees, Saturday barbecue (bring your own protein), guest speakers' Friday and Saturday evening presentation, birding kit and field data information, educational materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders! 1 Night Camping Birder /Fri day/ – $60 Fee covers Friday night camping fees, guest speakers' Friday evening presentation, Saturday birding, Saturday barbecue (bring your own protein), birding kit and field data information, educational materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders 1 Night Camping Birder /Saturday/– $60 Fee covers Saturday night camping fees, Saturday birding, Saturday barbecue (bring your own protein), guest speakers' Saturday evening presentation, birding kit and field data information, educational materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders! Day Birder + BBQ – $45 Fee covers Saturday birding with birding kit and field data information, use of educational displays and materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders! Fee also includes the BBQ on Saturday evening (bring your own protein) and Saturday evening presentation . No camping included! Day Birder (no BBQ) – $35 Fee covers Saturday OR Sunday birding with birding kit and field data information, use of educational materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders! No camping or BBQ included! Young Birder – $0 FREE for children and youth aged 18 and under, must be accompanied by an adult participating in event. Fee applies to all birders; those camping and those staying at other fixed roof accommodation. For those attending the barbecue, please bring your own protein . We will provide a variety of salads, buns, coffee/tea, fruit juice and various condiments. Bringing your own cutlery and plates to help with our cleanup! Physical demand: Participants should be in reasonably good physical condition, but there will be plenty of opportunities to rest and enjoy the birds and surroundings–you’ll be on your own schedule! It’s also your choice of birding trails, from flat and easy to steep and strenuous. Please be prepared for all weather conditions. June conditions can be cold or hot, or anything in between! Temperatures at camp typically range from -3C to +20C. Snow may be encountered at higher elevations. What to bring: Whenever you are hiking, you should always carry The Essentials Recommended items: Backpack to carry all your belongings Sturdy boots and gaiters Water (at least 1 litre) High-energy food Warm clothes and rain gear Binoculars/spotting scope, camera Bird ID guidebooks and/or apps downloaded for offline use on phone Headlamp First aid kit Firestarter Emergency shelter/blanket Map and compass (and/or GPS navigation + spare batteries/powerbank and cord) Multitool Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, Chapstick Amenities: There are no electrical or sewer hookups at the campground. Lone Duck 2 campground has a shelter with some picnic tables, communal fire pit, potable water and outhouses. Picnic tables are limited, so campers are encouraged to bring folding tables and chairs of their own. Manning Park Lodge is close by (6mins drive) and has a restaurant, café, and gift shop. Be prepared to camp in shoulder season conditions (potential for cold and wet) and provide your own food. An exception is the Saturday night barbecue, when you can just arrive with protein for the grill. Alternatively, Manning Park Resort has a few restaurant options: https://www.manningpark.com/food-and-dining/ . Come prepared to hike in any weather condition, with temperatures ranging between -3C and +20C. Snow will likely be found at higher elevations. Gaiters are helpful to keep mud and snow out of your boots. Accommodation: Event Camping Group Camping will be available at Lone Duck 2 campground with plenty of room for our group. Come prepared for tenting or RV camping. There are no electrical or sewage hookups. Facilities include outhouses, potable water and a communal campfire pit. Bring your own folding table and chairs if possible as picnic tables and seating are limited. Skyview RV Campground If you require electrical or sewer hookup for camping, there is also Skyview Campground nearby. Accommodations other than the Lone Duck 2 are at your own cost and should be booked well in advance as space is limited and fills up quickly. Book your space at Skyview Campground by visiting https://www.manningpark.com/skyview/ Manning Park Lodge Note: If you are staying at the resort, you should book soon. Rooms go quickly. To book your room, call Manning Park Lodge at 1-800-330-3321 (toll-free) Accommodation may also be booked online by clicking HERE. Lodging outside of Manning Provincial Park is also available within a 30-to-45-minute drive. Program Partners: Sponsorship of the Bird Blitz With the support of BC Nature, the Manning Park Bird Blitz is organized and delivered by Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning. Both non-profit organizations are devoted to nature appreciation and stewardship, and together, they bring long-term stability and increased promotion to this great Manning Park citizen science tradition. Funding Support We are grateful for the financial support provided by the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission and the Province of British Columbia. Meet Your Guides Hasitha started photography 15 year ago as an amateur backyard bird photographer. He is now an avid enthusiast of bird and wildlife photography based in Vancouver. He takes every opportunity to get out into nature, enjoy her splendor and capture the special moments. To Hasitha conservation and photography ethics play a key role in interactions with nature. Meeting the balance of getting close to nature and not disturbing the animals is very important for all natural enthusiast. Hasitha Samarajeewa Guest Speaker After an eventful thirty year career as a professional photographer John retired in 2011 to follow his passion for birds and birding. He hasn’t looked back! It’s been a life long learning experience that continues today. "Birding brings me great joy and peace of mind. I have been lucky enough to bird in many countries, some exotic but crossing Canada was one of the most memorable. I hope you enjoy the presentation." Dedicated to Al Grass John Gordon Guest Speaker Kelly first became involved with the Manning Park Bird Blitz when he was hired as a park naturalist in 1993. He took over management of the event in 2000, and by 2009, Kelly brought the Bird Blitz under the wing of Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature. For 31 years, Kelly has taken pride in seeing the birding tradition at Manning Park change and grow. Kelly Pearce Le ader Scott Denkers Le ader Scott's interest in birds and natural history began early in life. His post-secondary education led to degrees in biology and physical geography. Following university, he worked at various natural resource organizations over a couple of decades in the U.S. In 2006, Scott moved to Canada with his wife, Connie, and soon after began working with the nascent Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning. After helping grow Hope Mountain Centre for 13 years with an outstanding group of people, Scott retired from his job as Administrative Director in 2021. He is a passionate birder and although retired, he remains involved with Hope Mountain Centre's bird blitzes and other events. His deep interest in birds and nature in general also keeps him active with Nature Chilliwack, an affiliate club of BC Nature, and BC Field Ornithologists. Scott also loves to spend time with gardening, nature photography, family and the most amazing grandkids. Bill Kinkaid is a member of Nature Vancouver board of directors and a former co-chair of their Botany Section. He leads many hikes and birding walks and is a Field Trip Co-ordinator for Nature Vancouver’s annual field camps. Bill has a life-long passion for birding, botany, and the human history of BC and western Canada. Bill Kink aid Intermedi ate Group Le ade r Cancellation: Sorry no refunds! You can pass on your spot to someone else who meets the physical demand of the program, just please let us know, as we need registration information from everyone. A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled by HMCOL, participants will receive a full refund of program fees. Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless HMCOL determines that it will affect the safety of participants. Additional information: Liability Waiver Everyone ages 19 & over must sign a liability waiver form in order to participate in this program. Please take the time to read this form because you must understand and agree to it when you sign it. By signing it you are waiving certain rights, including the right to sue. These forms will be available to sign when you check in. Please seek legal counsel if you have any questions. Informed Consent Form Everyone, age 18 & under must have an informed consent form signed by their parents or legal guardian in order to participate. Please contact us if you need this form prior to arrival at this program.

This overnight adventure in the Skagit Valley gives many young people their very first camping experience. Skagit Valley Camp Grade 6 This overnight adventure in the Skagit Valley gives many young people their very first camping experience. During this one-night, two day camp, four curriculum units are taught outdoors, covering river riparian ecology, hydroelectricity, wildlife, and Skagit human history. Students also learn some principles of backcountry safety and low-impact camping. School District 78 Fraser-Cascade plays a leadership role on this trip, with Hope Mountain Centre playing a supporting role focused on curriculum delivery. A key funder of the Skagit Valley Camp is the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission (SEEC). SEEC is a Canada-U.S. body supporting science, recreation, and education in the Upper Skagit Watershed upstream of Ross Dam. Contact our Outdoor Educator Claire at cgrantham@hopemountain.org , or call/text 403-895-4121 for more information. Location : Skagit Valley Provincial Park Grade : 6 Curriculum Overview : Learning outcomes, pre-trip, field trip, post-trip: River Ecology Curriculum; Hydroelectricity Curriculum; Skagit Wildlife Curriculum; Skagit Human History Curriculum. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW Click through the images below for a glimpse into this exciting program. 1/26

The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is an annual tradition at the Clarke Theatre in Mission, BC. This film screening brings and stories of adventure and exploration, with tales of remote journeys, ground-breaking expeditions, and remarkable achievements, told by adventurers, photographers, authors, and filmmakers from around the world. Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival Film screening at the Clarke Theatre in Mission, BC Monday and Tuesday December 1 & 2, 2025 Doors: 7:00pm, Show: 7:30pm Clarke Theatre 33700 Prentis Ave, Mission, BC V2V 7B1 The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is an annual tradition at the Clarke Theatre . Bringing and stories of adventure and exploration, with tales of remote journeys, ground-breaking expeditions, and remarkable achievements, told by adventurers, photographers, authors, and filmmakers from around the world. Tickets are $20 per person for general admission. $5 for students. Hope Mountain Centre receives 50% of all tickets sale revenue purchased through the links below to help carry out our work connecting people and nature. BUY TICKETS MONDAY DECEMBER 1st: click here TUESDAY DECEMBER 2nd: click here COME SEE HOPE MOUNTAIN CENTRE! We'll be there with a table set up so you can learn all about the programs and projects we're working on to connect people and nature.

Conservation One of Hope Mountain Centre’s purposes as a charitable organization is to conserve, protect and restore natural resources within Southwest British Columbia by facilitating and guiding environmental and land stewardship projects. Some of our key conservation projects are done through community education, monitoring and reporting of rare grizzly bear sightings in southwest BC, and water quality monitoring in the Skagit River watershed in the Canadian Cascade Mountains. Our conservation work, as with all Hope Mountain Centre activities, would not be possible without the help of our funders and dedicated volunteers. Thank you immensely to everyone involved. Conservation Initiatives Water Testing World Rivers Day Grizzly Bear Reporting Leave No Trace Conservation Resources & Links Joint Nations Grizzly Bear Initiative Okanagan Nation Alliance - Grizzly Bear Recovery Coast to Cascades – Grizzly Bear Initiative Wild Safe BC People and Carnivores Living with Wildlife Foundation Leave No Trace Canada

Young Stewards of our Watersheds Grade 5 The banks of the Fraser River provide an outdoor classroom for this exploration of how water moves through our watershed. Students learn how watersheds capture, store, and release water through the seasons, and how humans and wildlife benefit from these natural forces. A hands-on stream table demonstrates the power of rivers in moving vast amounts of sediment, creating deltas, gravel bars, and salmon habitat. Contact us for more information about educational programs we can do for your group. Contact our Outdoor Educator Claire at cgrantham@hopemountain.org , or call/text 403-895-4121. Location : Watersheds of the Fraser and Skagit Rivers. Grade : 5 Curriculum Overview : Watersheds Program: learning outcomes, pre-trip, field trip, post-trip. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW Teacher Feedback: “Again the watershed project was very well organized. Always tricky working around dates but your group was very flexible . It meets the needs of all learners. I had a difficult class but they seemed to be engaged and on task for the most part. There was a lot of visual stuff and hands on stuff which was terrific.” “It was very well organized and the kids responded very well!” “The props that you use are fantastic. They really motivate the students.” “The water plant is a great tour. Students were able to see how the resource of water can be developed and shipped abroad. It also shows jobs available to them which ties into career education.” “Lessons were well designed. Different types of learning were involved (auditory, reading, interactive) which I thought was terrific. ” “The plant tour is quite fascinating. One of the kids mentioned it was like the tv show “How do they do that?” but only they were there to see it. The tour takes them from the pond station where they see the water flow rate to the whole process of what is involved. Kids are fascinated that a small test tube like device can transform into a flexible water bottle. My class this year said they really enjoyed the tour.”

Adopt-a-Trail Support trails and Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning, a registered charity connecting people and nature. By adopting a trail, you are directly contributing to the building, maintenance and improvement of the trail(s) in the Hope region that you adopt. What you get For $1,000 per year, you get: Exclusive trail adoption, renewable with first right of refusal. 3.5" x 3.5" signage (see above) on a post at the trailhead and one additional location on the trail Private volunteer trail maintenance day for your team (optional) Logo and link on HMCOL website Promotion on HMCOL social media Shout-out at HMCOL AGM Learn more about this and other trails advertising opportunities we offer by checking out our trails advertising webpage here and/or our trails advertising package here . Which trails are available? See below for details about the trails currently available as well as those currently adopted. TRAIL ADOPTED BY ADOPTED UNTIL Flood Falls available n/a HBC - Blackeye's to Lodestone available n/a HBC - Chevreuil to Conglomerate Flats available n/a HBC - Colville to Sowaqua available n/a HBC - Conglomerate Flats to Jacobsen Lake available n/a HBC - Horseguard to Blackeye's available n/a HBC - Jacobsen Lake to Horseguard available n/a HBC - Lodestone to Olivine available n/a HBC - Manson's to Colville available n/a HBC - Olivine to Tulameen available n/a HBC - Peers Creek to Manson's Camp available n/a HBC - Sowaqua to Chevreuil available n/a Hope Bike Park available n/a Hope Lookout available n/a Hope Mountain available n/a Mt. Lincoln available n/a Serpent's Back available n/a Silverhope Creek available n/a Spirit Caves available n/a Thacker Mountain available n/a Tikwalus available n/a Wells Peak available n/a Ready to adopt a trail? Contact HMCOL Executive Director Kristine Pérez de León at kperezdeleon@hopemountain.org or by phone/text (778) 918-4915

Shop HMCOL Products Orders will be shipped by the Friday following the completed transaction. Shipping within Canada only. Shipping and tax are included in the product price. If you have any questions or if you are a shop/reseller and would like to place a wholesale order, please contact us at 604-869-1274 or by email info@hopemountain.org . All Products Unisex HBC Trail Cotton T-Shirt Price $34.99 Manning & Skagit Parks Topographic Map Price $25.99 HMCOL Patch Price $5.99 HBC Trail Topographic Map Price $25.99 HBC Trail Guidebook Price $30.99 HBC Trail Bundle - Topo Map + Guidebook Price $49.99 Men's HBC Trail Tee Price $39.99 Women's Active Tank Top Out of Stock Women's Active Tee - HBC Trail Price $39.99 See All Products

What is Leave No Trace? Leave No Trace Canada is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wildlands. Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics What is Leave No Trace? Leave No Trace Canada (LNT) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wildlands. The principles of Leave No Trace are supported by Hope Mountain Centre and infused into all of our areas of operation. Seven Principles of LNT Plan Ahead and Prepare Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Dispose of Waste Properly Leave What You Find Minimize Camp Fire Impacts Respect Wildlife Be Considerate of Other Visitors Levels of Training There are 3 levels of training recognized by Leave No Trace Canada. (diagram credit LNT.org). Training Level Descriptions Awareness Workshop This workshop is one day or less in length and can take the form of a discussion about the Leave No Trace principles or can be a full day of formal training. A workshop can be specifically designed for individual groups, such as Scouts, canoe club members, guides, etc. Trainer Course This 2-day course is taught mostly or totally outside and includes 1 night of camping. It is intended for outdoor recreational users who wish to teach others how to minimize their impact on the natural environment whether they are hiking, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, etc. This course is ideal for guides, youth group leaders, teachers, camp counsellors, or anyone involved in environmental education. Master Educator Course This course provides the most comprehensive level of training with 4-5 days training, including a minimum of 3 nights camping. After successful completion, students will be qualified to teach both Awareness Workshops and Trainer Courses. In addition to in-depth instruction on the seven principles of Leave No Trace, this course will teach participants how to teach other trainers. It is ideal for people in leadership positions with youth and adults in the outdoors. This includes scouting leaders, park rangers, youth group leaders, camp educational directors, or others involved in environmental education. Workshops & Courses Provided by Hope Mountain Centre Hope Mountain Centre has partnered with Leave No Trace Canada to deliver Awareness Workshops. Hope Mountain Centre provides workshops and courses to groups in the Hope region upon request. Contact us to inquire about availability and group pricing by email at info@hopemountain.org or by phone at (604)869-1274. Awareness Workshops IN PERSON In person awareness workshops can accommodate groups of up to 20 people max and cost approximately $600 per group (equivalent to $30 pp). ONLINE Online awareness workshops (via Zoom) can accommodate groups of up to 30 people and cost approximately $300 per group (equivalent to $10 pp). Watch the Video Thank you, Shaw TV, for recording and sharing this video that includes our efforts of LNT education on your show "You Don't Say".

The Gleaning Program is a volunteer-led community harvest program under Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning (HMCOL). Its purpose is to encourage and help local residents to pick fruit from trees, and use or redistribute the fruit preventing waste and reducing attracting wildlife, such as bears. Gleaning A volunteer-led community harvest program 1/8 The Gleaning Program is a volunteer-run community harvest program under Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning (HMCOL). Its purpose is to encourage and help local Hope residents to pick fruit from trees, and use or redistribute the fruit preventing waste and reducing attracting wildlife, such as bears. A share of the harvest goes to the resident, another share goes to the people who pick the fruit and the rest is donated to local organizations such as the food bank, school programs, or for animal feed. Want to help us pick fruit? Got fruit trees that need picking? Need fruit for your group or animals? GET INVOLVED by joining our email list below! Also consider joining our Facebook group . Program Objectives 1. Prevent negative human-bear interactions in the town of Hope by deterring bears in residential area fruit trees through removing ripe and rotten fruit which is a bear attractant, and; 2. Prevent waste of fruit. Other benefits include reducing other wildlife attraction in residential areas such as rodents and those that prey on them, increasing local food security by connecting residents to local food sources, and facilitating social volunteer activity. The gleaning program is limited to the District of Hope geographic boundary. This program began in 2011 when local Hope resident, Lydia Koot, worked with HMCOL to form the Hope Mountain Black Bear Committee and managed this program until 2024. Since its inception, no bears have been shot in fruit trees in Hope—a huge success story. Under the Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 1472, 2020, Section 6.1(u) of the District of Hope Bylaws , owners and occupiers must not keep attractants (like fruit, garbage, or organics) accessible to wildlife. Let’s continue working together to keep our community safe! For Residents with Fruit Trees Do you have a fruit tree? Apples, cherries, pears, plums, grapes, or quince - Having a crop of fruit can be great, but can also be overwhelming if you aren’t able to manage it. Fruit falls to the ground and spoils and can attract wildlife such as bears. Here are some things that you can do: When fruit is ripe: Clean up windfall often to prevent rotting. Put it out weekly in your green bin for pick-up or donate to local farms for animal feed. Pick your fruit if you are able, or you can post on local Facebook groups to invite people to pick your fruit. Or contact us for help! Register your tree with the Gleaning Program for volunteer picking: We ask that you ensure a safe space (no hazards, dog poop, or bee/wasp nests.) We will pick your tree, and share the harvest with you, the volunteers who pick, and local organizations such as the food bank, local schools, or for animal feed. Regular Tree care: Prune your tree annually to keep it a manageable size, typically in winter or early spring when the tree is dormant. Prune to remove dead, damaged and diseased branches, and open up space in middle. This can result in better quality fruit. Plant native, non-fruit bearing trees and shrubs if the fruit is unwanted or unmanageable. Keep yourself and the bears safe! Contact us at gleaning@hopemountain.org or sign up for our mailing list. Got Fruit Trees Join us as a Fruit Picking Volunteer! Pick a tree to save a bear! Help your community while enjoying the outdoors, and enjoy the literal fruits of your labour. A portion of each harvest goes to the volunteer pickers, the property resident, and local organizations. Fruit typically ripens from June to November, and it can include apples, cherries, pears, plums, grapes, and quince. Pole pickers are provided to reach the fruit, and we typically pick early morning or evening to avoid the heat. What to Bring: Water, gloves, hat, sunscreen, good footwear, and optionally, cardboard boxes, containers, or a rake (some are provided). Safety glasses are available, or bring your own to avoid falling debris in your eyes. If interested, fill out our Voluteer Registration Form or contact us for more information at gleaning@hopemountain.org, or join our email list . Volunteer Need Fruit? We've got a variety of fruit to give away including large quantities for community groups, food programs, farms, and more. Contact us at gleaning@hopemountain.org if you’d like fruit for your local organization or for animal feed. We will add you to our contact list to let you know when we have a surplus. About the Fruit It’s local and organic! Expect blemishes or imperfections, and it may be smaller than supermarket fruit, but it’s still edible and delicious. There are many great ways to use and preserve the fruit. Need fruit Join us to reduce bear attractants and food waste, and build community! Key Program Volunteers: Robyn Barker, HMCOL Board Chair – Gleaning Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Rodney –Gleaning Coordinator Esther Brysch – Picker Coordinator/Team Leader Sign up for our emails, contact us at gleaning@hopemountain.org , and join our Facebook group to learn more and to get involved.

World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourages the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Each year Hope Mountain Centre also puts on a Guided Paddle along the Fraser River on World Rivers Day. Check out Public Programs page for more information and to register. World Rivers Day Celebrated on the fourth Sunday of September 53213542906_2177067642_k 53213310288_97b1109e4e_k 53213847353_89276f657c_k 53213542906_2177067642_k 1/13 World Rivers Day World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourages the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Hope Mountain Centre, with a parallel focus on environmental stewardship, found a natural partnership with World Rivers Day and has supported their communication work for over 15 years working on global email communications, global event updates, website design/management, print ad design, video and mailing list compilation. Each year Hope Mountain Centre also puts on a Guided Paddle along the Fraser River on World Rivers Day. Check out Public Programs page for more information and to register. About the Founder of BC and World Rivers Day Mark Angelo hails from Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, and is an internationally celebrated river conservationist. He is the founder and Chair of both BC and World Rivers Day and is Chair Emeritus of the Rivers Institute at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Mark was also the long time head of BCIT’s Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Program. As well as being honoured with both the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada in recognition of his river conservation efforts, Mark has also received many more national and international awards. To learn more about the history of Rivers Day and its founder, Mark Angelo, please visit the World Rivers Day website. For over 15 years, Hope Mountain Centre has maintained a strong partnership with World Rivers Day working as their communication arm for global email communications, global event updates, website design/management, print ad design, video and mailing list compilation. World Rivers Day is celebrated globally each year on the fourth Sunday of September. For more information go to: https://worldriversday.com/