Walk On the Wild Side on the right path for trail improvements around Picture Butte

By Dale Woodard - Lethbridge Herald on December 15, 2021.

A local group has become true trailblazers for the walking trails in Picture Butte.
And thanks to a productive 2021, Walk On the Wild Side is definitely on the right path.
“We’re quite enthused with it all simply because we’ve made some huge steps after nine years of toiling and all of a sudden all of these items have come up since January,” said Yves Leclair, director of Walk On the Wild Side. “There were a lot of man hours put into this and everybody did what they had to do. We were a skeleton crew, always needing people to get on board. Hopefully next year with what has happened here, we’ll create a little bit of incentive for them to step up to the plate.”
Working with Alta Link, Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District and Picture Butte, Walk On the Wild Side was able to put up an osprey or eagle nesting platform at the end of March with the hope the osprey and eagles will use it to build a nest.
Since then, deadfall trees have been strategically placed to create habitat, one kilometre of hard surfacing of the trail has increased usability for walkers and a triangular “native plants related” garden was initiated by members.
As well, a classroom/quiet area was designated to entice nature-related education.
Thanks to donors, more benching and tables have been added as well as more than 35 trees to provide a more appealing experience along the trails.
Word of Walk On the Wild Side’s work is getting out.
“In the fundraising end of it, we’ve got individuals who stepped up after seeing this and saying ‘If you have anything else cooking, let us know. We want to be a part of this,'” said Leclair. “We have three or four in front of us right now who are willing to do this. This is the only way it would happen. There was no government help.”
The feedback from trail walkers has been positive, said Leclair.
“On Remembrance Day, we were out there doing our thing and there were about 35 people out there and not one negative comment. They said it was great. That’s what you want to hear.”
As well, Leclair said while talking to a conservation biologist friend, it looks like an eagle may take over the nesting platform.
With the triangular-looking native plants garden, Leclair said there was a ‘Y’ shape in the trail that was idle.
“We were able to get some people on board to deal with it,” he said. “(It was) to try and educate people with flowers and plants which are in the coulees that are indigenous to them.”
The classroom setting started as a quiet area where people could sit, rest, view the lake and watch nature, said Leclair.
“It’s developed into a classroom simply because we want to incorporate our schools. They don’t have to be schools from Picture Butte, but anywhere else. It’s close to nature and you’re teaching them what’s going on around you. We just got the benching done and the tables are in and the trees are planted around it.”
Going forward, signage, telescope, habitat encounters and additional beautification are on the slate for Walk On the Wildside.
In the meantime, walkers are welcome to come out and see the progress.
“Hopefully people can come and visit and see what we’re doing,” said Leclair, adding the best way to get to the trails is to start at the gazebo downtown at the end of Fourth Street, and hang a left going west directly to the trails. 
The Walk On the Wild Side Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/343399102358998

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