Lambton Shores Nature Trails
Lambton Shores Nature TrailsThe Lambton Shores Nature Trails (LSNT) organization was founded in 2011. The group of local outdoor enthusiasts was concerned about the ongoing destruction of some of the most environmentally significant lands in Lambton Shores due to off-road motorized recreational vehicles. They decided to get together with landowners and started to block off access to some of those areas and make them into official trails.
Ross Atkinson is the current Chair of Operations for Lambton Shores Nature Trails. He along with a group of dedicated volunteers currently maintains trails on seven properties — approximately 40 kilometres of trails in total. “Without volunteers, the work wouldn’t get done. Their selfless act of kindness to improve the trails so people can go out and enjoy them is greatly appreciated by the community," insists Ross. 
It’s also about marketing. “We have raised awareness to the local community that there were trails that existed in their own backyards. I can’t tell you how many people we have come across that didn’t realize there were trails here to be enjoyed.”
Ross says Lambton Shores Nature Trails doesn’t host many hikes and is primarily focused on trail maintenance. 2021 marks the club’s 10th anniversary and they have created a series of four stitched patches that they are handing out to people they meet along the trails. All 4 patches can also be purchased for a $20 donation. “The reason we picked these four designs for our badges is they are all very scenic spots along the trails,” Ross says. They include: “L” Lake Management Area — a two kilometre loop that navigates through forested dunes; Ausable River Valley & Mystery Falls — The most rugged trail network LSNT maintains; Lambton County Heritage Forest — The organization’s signature trailhead dubbed “The Heart Of The Trails” because there are more than 20 kilometres of trails within a five-kilometer radius; and Ipperwash Dunes & Swales — which features several footbridges on its two trails of four kilometres and two kilometres to get from one dune to the next.
Ross says he has a volunteer pool of about 50 people and when he reaches out for help, he can always count on 10-12 people from the group lending a hand. “We do everything from general maintenance to installing benches to building footbridges,” Ross says. The group is funded through donations and two annual local grants and is proud of its three local wheelchair-accessible trails
Related Stories
Atlas Technologies
As he approaches his 50th birthday, Jason Blais is not even close to retirement. Instead, Jason continues to look to the future for ways he can fine-tune his business, Atlas Technologies, and continue to service Sarnia-Lambton. A lot has changed since I started this business nearly nine years ago
The Cobbler Shop
Don Nesbit bought The Cobbler Shop, located at 1143 Confederation Street, from his father, Don Nesbit Sr., in 2011. The original shop opened in 1991 and was located right across from our current location. He started out by repairing shoes, luggage and sports equipment and selling shoe care products.
Paulina's Flower Shoppe
On May 8th, 2017 Paulinas Flower Shoppe opened its doors for business at 1018 Murphy Road. When you drive up to the location, you immediately realize that this has always been a flower shop. Since 1953 the building was known to the city of Sarnia as Buchners Flowers. We purchased the e
Refined Fool Brewing Co
The Refined Fool Brewing Co. was looking for a way to give back to the community. And, in the spirit of being good corporate citizens, the fools — as they like to refer to themselves — came up with a successful plan. I came on board full time as the event coordinator in 2018 and we immediatel
Related Stories
Bluewater International Granfondo
Three avid cyclists had a lofty idea for a bike race. As big as they dreamed, little could they fathom how "B.I.G." it would become, and the positive impact it would have on their community. The Bluewater International Granfondo (B.I.G.) is a local bike race that takes place annually along the shores
Leaping Lizards Boutique
It took becoming a grandmother for Liz Larkin to find her career path. Our daughter Emily became pregnant with our twin grandsons and when they were first born, she was buying cute onesies from people and paying upwards of $30 for customized onesies, Liz says. She said to me, "If you buy a
Keds
Seedz, a digital marketing app available on the App Store and Google Play Store, provides exclusive offers and promotions from local businesses. Seedz was created and developed by father and daughter team, Steve and Jessika Kierna...
The Awesome Foundation
The Sarnia chapter of the Awesome Foundation was started in 2013. The idea was simple: the trustees come together once a month to hand out a $1000 grant to someone with an awesome idea. The first Awesome Foundation chapter was founded in Boston in 2009. John DeGroot learned about the movement the fol
