MATR Awarded Trans Canada Trail Care Grant

Apr 23

We are pleased to announce MATR won a small grant from the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) as part of the TCT’s annual Trail Care Grant Program. This funding bolsters MATR's ongoing efforts in trail maintenance, and opens new opportunities for MATR to expand our trail maintenance activities to stretches of Trans Canada Trail in the northern parts of the Whiteshell Provincial Park.

This grant is an opportunity for MATR to expand our trail care footprint. Over the past three years, MATR has established history of contributing to trail maintenance efforts in the province, including our dedicated work on the Centennial Trail (which is also part of the Trans Canada Trail network. This new funding allows for a focused effort on additional stretches in the northern Whiteshell. This expansion is a direct result of a collaborative working relationship with the Manitoba Parks office responsible for managing the northern area of the park.

Trail work supported by this grant initiative kicked off on March 20, 2025, with initial efforts concentrated on the single-track trail connecting Jessica Lake and Cabin Lake. We have since hosted two additional volunteer trail work days in April on this same stretch undertaking significant brush-cutting in lower lying areas of the trail have also been completed, re-opening stretches of the trail which had completely grown over, which made navigation a challenge. We’ve also installed 125 new TCT way-finding signs along this trail section, greatly improving navigation for runners, hikers, and other trail users.

side by side images of the same stretch of trail before and after trail work — Before and after on the same stretch of trail

*Before and after photos from the same stretch of trail MATR volunteers worked on on March 30 and April 13 to clear deadfall, add wayfinding signage, and brush cut to improve navigation on the trail.*

The success of these early workdays was made possible by volunteers from within the MATR community. So far, 16 volunteers have pitched in, contributing a combined total of 110 hours of labour under the guidance of MATR's Trail Work Coordinator, Adam Moore, and co-leader, Miriam Betzner. Their hard work is directly contributing to safer and more enjoyable trail experiences for all trail users.

Looking ahead, MATR will continue to assess other single-track portions of the Trans Canada Trail in the northern Whiteshell. The goal is to identify areas where gaps exist in current trail care agreements and determine how MATR can best support the revitalization and ongoing maintenance of these sections, ultimately opening up more incredible opportunities for trail running and exploration in this area of the Whiteshell.

The Trans Canada Trail Care Grant Program is designed to empower local trail groups and volunteers who are instrumental in the upkeep of the extensive national trail network. The program provides financial assistance for various maintenance activities, recognizing the crucial role that dedicated volunteers play in keeping trails safe and enjoyable. This year, Trans Canada Trail awarded a total of $248,250 to 222 community groups across the country, with $21,250 allocated to support trail care initiatives in Manitoba.