Trans Canada Trail Discovery Program

A National Program bringing the true nature of our land closer to the hearts of all Canadians.

For two generations, a remarkable Canadian family has devoted and dedicated an immeasurable amount of their time and philanthropy to fostering environmental and cultural projects. Rooted in Canada, the Bronfman family tree has a long and lasting legacy of contributing to the growing greatness of Canada.

Stephen Bronfman is carrying on this fine family tradition. Through the establishment of the Stephen R. Bronfman Foundation, he is sharing his personal vision for a greener Canada with all Canadians, particularlyyouth. The Discovery Program exemplifies Mr. Bronfman's firm commitment to the Trans Canada Trail and the lasting contribution he believes that the Trail will make to the environment, to communities, and to the health and enjoyment of all Canadians. Through the Trans Canada Trail Discovery Program, Canadians and visitors will have the opportunity to better understand and appreciate their natural surroundings as they travel along the Trail.

The Stephen R. Bronfman Foundation's Trans Canada Trail Discovery Program involves the development and permanent installation of over 2,000 interpretive Discovery panels along the route of the Trail. Each panel features a specific topic on the flora, fauna or geography that is indigenous to a particular Trail section.

The program is designed to provide Trail users with visual references and explanatory texts that immediately connect them to the nature of their surroundings. The Discovery Program features over 150 natural subjects that trail users can discover along the route of the Trans Canada Trail.

Measuring 41cm by 61cm, each Discovery Panel displays its nature subject in brilliant and authentic colours, either as an illustration or as a photograph. The descriptive bilingual text on each side of the picture is written in an interesting and informative manner, providing the Trail traveller with an insightful understanding of the area and its nature subject. Subjects were carefully chosen by the Trans Canada Trail in consultation with local and regional Trail partners.

Click here to visit our Discovery Panel Gallery!

The major contributors of information and photography were the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Royal Ontario Museum Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Royal British Columbia Museum and Natural Resources Canada (Canadian Forest Service). These important contributing partners ensured that the information is factually correct and visually stimulating.

The Trans Canada Trail Discovery Program was officially launched on May 17th, 2002 and was implemented in phases, beginning in those provinces and territories where Trail development was most advanced. Over the next three to five years, every province and territory had the opportunity to participate in this grand, national endeavour.

Trans Canada Trail representatives approached communities along the Trail to present the program in detail. The Discovery Panels were made possible through the generous funding contribution of the Stephen R. Bronfman Foundation and were provided at no cost to participating communities. The communities are, however, responsible for the cost of building and installing the metal display unit at their chosen panel site(s).

"This is a great project which runs parallel to our goals of stimulating people's interest in protecting our environment and our culture. These are the ties which bind us to our Canadian heritage." ─ Stephen R. Bronfman