2011 White Hill Summit Award Winner
Ted Scrutton, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ted Scrutton (centre) was presented with White Hill Summit Award at the NS Trails AGM on June 9, 2012 by Vice President Avery Bain (left) and Terry Norman (right)
The following is an excerpt from the nomination letter submitted by Terry Norman:
Ted has made an outstanding contribution to the development of trails in Nova Scotia over the past 25-30 years. He participated in the first trails conference in Nova Scotia in 1985 which led to the creation of a trails task force. Ted believed that the trails community in Nova Scotia needed to become more cohesive. He took the lead in organizing the first Trails for Tomorrow Conference in the late 1980's. One of the outcomes from this conference was the creation of the Nova Scotia Trails Federation.
For many years Ted was the key provincial government representative who brought together many diverse government departments to deal with trail issues. He was a leader in the development of the rails to trails policy by the Government of Nova Scotia and he was actively involved in the provincial government acquisition of over 1,100 km of abandoned rail lines.
Ted was also a big supporter of the Trans Canada Trail and he assisted Vera Stone to establish an active Trans Canada Trail Committee within NS Trails. He was also instrumental in securing funding for trail initiatives including the hiring of a TCT Coordinator to help local community groups to build sections of the TCT across Nova Scotia.
When the not-for-profit trails sector encountered serious problems in obtaining liability insurance in 2002-2003, Ted was instrumental in convincing the provincial government to backstop a new program for liability insurance for all trail groups in Nova Scotia. This successful program continues today.
After Ted retired from the provincial government, he was asked to take on the role of President of NS Trails. He agreed to do so for a period of two years. That commitment was subsequently extended to a 3rd year which he is now completing. The highlight of Ted's term as President is clearly the 2010 trails conference that he organized. It was called "Trails for Tomorrow Today". It was by far the best trails conference ever held in Nova Scotia. The outcomes from this conference have left a legacy in the form of strategic plans as well as future funding.
Ted has devoted his heart and soul to trails in Nova Scotia and I believe he would be a worthy recipient of the White Hill Summit Award.
2010 White Hill Summit Award Winner
Blaise MacEachern - Judique, Nova Scotia
NS Trails Volunteer President, Ted Scrutton (left) presents
White Hill Summit Award to NS Trails Trans Canada Trail
Committee Chair, Blaise MacEachern (right)
At the Nova Scotia Trails Federation Annual General Meeting in Truro on May 14, 2011, the White Hill Summit Award was presented to Blaise MacEachern of Judique, Nova Scotia.
Each year Nova Scotia Trails recognizes one individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of recreational trails in the province.
Blaise MacEachern Vounteer Profile
Blaise MacEachern has progressed up through the ranks in the Nova Scotia Trans Canada Trail (TCT) community. He began as a volunteer with his local community trail group, The Judique Flyer Trails Association 12 years ago. He has served as Chair of the Inverness County TCT Project and was instrumental in forming more than 60 strategic partnerships that contributed to the development of 92 kilometres of breath-taking Trans Canada Trail through Inverness County, Cape Breton. Although his TCT role has expanded to the provincial level in recent years, he continues to provide trail leadership to community trail groups in Inverness County.
Blaise has served as the Chair of Nova Scotia Trails’ TCT Committee since 2008 and has dedicated countless hours making many personal sacrifices to the cause inspiring community volunteers to take up the TCT Challenge and engaging local and provincial governments in the process. Blaise has served on the TCT Territorial Provincial Advisory Committee (TPAC) for the past three years representing Nova Scotia and our commitment to Nova Scotia’s historical community-based trail development model. His commitment to the TCT is beyond exceptional.
Blaise’s steady hand has guided us through the transition of the TCT Greenways strategy. He has put his heart and soul into his role as Chair here in Nova Scotia. While we have many dedicated trail volunteers in Nova Scotia, Blaise’s enthusiasm and passion for the Trans Canada Trail is extraordinary. He is an inspiration to all who are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with him.
Click here to see NEWS RELEASE
| 
