Multicultural Trail Network

We’re taking Give Back Outdoors to the prairie foothills this October for a hands-on day of freshwater habitat restoration with Freshwater Conservation Canada.

We’ll be building Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs), learning about freshwater ecosystems, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at conservation work.

Plus, you get:
🚌 Free transportation from Calgary
🥪 Lunch + snacks
🛠️ All the tools you need
🎁 $50 prepaid Visa gift card as a thank you!

📅 October 3
👥 Ages 18+
💰 FREE
⏳️ Registration deadline: Sept 27

No restoration experience needed. Just bring your willingness to learn and your best outdoor-work energy. 💪🏽

Come give back to the outdoors with us!

For MTN's second Give Back Outdoors event, we're leaving the city behind and heading into the Southern Rockies.

We'll spend the day surrounded by open prairie, Rocky Mountain foothills and local wildlife - and getting our hands dirty with some hands-on habitat restoration.

There's a certain local species we're especially excited to help… 👀

October 3 - save the date!| 18+ | FREE | Transportation & lunch included

Any guesses?

Ever wondered what actually goes into caring for a trail? 🌲🥾

We’re getting ready for Give Back Outdoors: Trail Care Day with Friends of Kananaskis Country & Trans Canada Trail on September 12, and we’re answering some of the questions you might have before joining us! 👀

From what trail stewardship means to what trail brushing actually involves, we’re breaking down the basics so you know what to expect - whether you’ve volunteered for conservation work before or this is your first time.

And yes, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors too! 🌿 We’ll be working on Ford Knoll Trail, getting some hands-on trail maintenance experience, and enjoying a hike together along the way.

Swipe through to learn more on how to give back to the trails that give us so much.

A little smoke in the air, lots of coffee, great views, and an even better group. 🌲🥾

This past weekend, we welcomed a new group of soon-to-be OCC Hiking Field Leaders for two days of learning, practicing, and getting outside.

Led by Keri Bowzaylo, an OCC Certified instructor, participants spent the weekend building practical leadership skills both in the classroom and out on the trail. Day one's classroom came with some pretty great views of South Calgary, while day two took us out into busy South Glenmore Park to put those skills into practice.

For almost everyone, this was their first certification course - and one of the biggest highlights was simply getting to know one another, making new friends, learning together, and leaving with more confidence to lead hikes with friends, families or any groups.

As one participant highlighted the impact of accessible training:

“The subsidized cost is a huge benefit that lowers barriers and makes it easier for us to be leaders in our own communities and tell more people about it.”

And perhaps the best review of all? The instructor.

“The instructor made all the difference!! Loved learning from someone who is SO experienced and can share all their stories and lessons from years of work in the field!”

A big thank you to Keri for sharing her experience and knowledge, and to everyone who showed up ready to learn, connect, and lead. We can't wait to see where you take these skills next. 💪🏽

A special thank you to the David Elton Outdoor Fund for providing funding that helped make this learning opportunity more accessible, and to the Outdoor Council of Canada for their support in making this certification course possible. We're always grateful for the support in helping build a more diverse community of confident outdoor leaders. 🫶🏽

You’ve mastered the basics - now take the next step. Build confidence leading overnight and backcountry experiences. 🏕️

The OCC Overnight Leadership Certification Course is happening September 26–27, 2026!

Spend two days learning and practicing the skills needed to plan and lead overnight adventures — from trip planning and risk management to group leadership, campcraft, and emergency preparedness.

⛺ Hands-on overnight field experience
🥾 Practical leadership training
🧭 Build confidence in backcountry settings
🎓 Earn your OCC Overnight Leadership Certification

Course value: $425 ➡️ Our Participant fee: just $60!

This course is made possible through the support of Outdoor Council of Canada and generous funding from the David Elton Outdoor Fund, helping make advanced outdoor leadership training more accessible while supporting the development of safer, more confident outdoor leaders.

Eligibility: 18+ | BIPOC, racialized & newcomers | Current OCC Field Leader Certification required

📅 September 26–27, 2026
💰 $60
🔗 Details + registration via the link in our bio

Limited spots available so register now! 🌲

Love hiking? 🥾 Your favourite trails don't maintain themselves! Here's your chance to give back to the mountains you enjoy.

Join us for Give Back Outdoors: Trail Care Day in partnership with Friends of Kananaskis, with generous support from Trans Canada Trail.

Spend the day on Ford Knoll Trail learning how trails are cared for and protected through beginner-friendly stewardship activities like brush clearing, light trail maintenance, and hands-on learning from the experts. You'll also have the opportunity to explore careers and volunteer pathways in conservation, parks, and outdoor stewardship.

What's included?
🚌 Round-trip transportation from Calgary
🥪 Free lunch & snacks
🛠️ All tools and equipment
🎁 A thank-you gift card for every participant
💲 Free to register! Registration required

📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
👥 BIPOC & Newcomers (Ages 18–30)
📍 Ford Knoll Trail, Kananaskis

🔗 Link in bio or register at mtnetwork.ca/programs
⏰ Registration closes September 6

Whether you're passionate about hiking, looking to meet new people, or want to make a positive impact on the outdoors, we'd love to have you join us!

Thinking about joining our next OCC Field Leader Hiking and Overnight Hiking Courses? 🌲🥾

Don't just take our word for it - hear from past participants.

From building outdoor skills and confidence to making new connections, these experiences are about so much more than learning to hike. Their words remind us why creating safe, accessible and welcoming outdoor spaces matters.

Swipe through to read what they had to say - and if you've been thinking about joining us for our next course, maybe this is your sign. ✨

🔗 Link in bio to register for our August 8 + 9 course!

The OCC Hiking Field Leader Course is more than a weekend certification - it's a gateway to new outdoor experiences and leadership opportunities.

Whether you dream of leading hikes, volunteering in your community, or joining us this fall for our Overnight Backpacking Field Leader Certification, it all starts here.

🌿 No previous leadership experience required.

🔗 Linl in bio. Sign up today!

☀️ Summer maxxing the MTN way

Last Saturday, we spent the afternoon floating down the Bow River with RiverWatch Alberta, and it couldn't have been a more perfect day. Blue skies, cool breezes, fun little rapids, and plenty of moments to simply slow down and enjoy being on the water.

Along the way, we spotted osprey, pelicans, swallows, Franklin's Gulls (fun fact: their pink flush comes from a shrimp-rich winter diet!), passed Calgary's largest swallow colony, beautiful small islands and protected areas along Fish Creek, and even learned how Calgary's wastewater treatment system works thanks to our incredible guide, Brad.

We also spotted a few secluded swimming spots tucked away along the river... and let's just say we'll be respectfully gatekeeping those ones. 🤫

Some highlights of the day:
🦶🏾 Dipping our feet in the cold river
🌊 Riding the waves
☀️ The perfect weather
💬 Meeting new people and sharing great conversations
🦟 And, no surprise... being far away from the mosquitoes!

Days like these remind us that adventure doesn't always mean heading to the mountains - sometimes it's about discovering a whole new perspective of the city we call home.

A huge thank you to ParticipACTION for helping make this experience possible, and to RiverWatch Alberta for sharing their passion and knowledge of the Bow River with us.