This quarter, we wanted to shine the light on a long-time dedicated volunteer, and friend, Jantje Vanhouwelingen, whose enthusiasm and dedication to the East Coast Trail is an inspiration. Let’s get to know Jantje even better:

Caplin Bay Path, Ferryland, Jantje Van Houwelingen, August 2024

Q: What types of organizations do you volunteer with?

A: When I was a teenager the Bruce Trail started in Southern Ontario, I got involved then. I’ve been volunteering for 60 years! I needed a ride to the Trail! As a volunteer, I can say that I get more out of what I do for the trail than just feeling like it’s a job I have to do out of necessity. It’s a great way to fill your time as a young person or retiree. It’s an obligation to share your time for the future good.

Q: Tell us about your volunteer experiences with the ECTA.

A: After living here in the 70s, I returned in 2002. In 2004, I joined some of the volunteer-led Guided Hikes when I wasn’t working. That summer and fall I did the whole southern shore to Cappahayden.

The next year, I joined the volunteer maintenance team. We had a super team in those days and went out at least two weekends a month. Ed Delaney and Albert Sutton were two terrific leaders. Mostly we used hand tools but over the years we also gained a gas powered brusher. Between 2010 and 2012 we had three fall hurricanes with easily a few thousand large trees down across the trail. That was a lot of chain saw work for the crew and we helped on some of those outings. The volunteer maintenance team also won the top prize for a few years in our annual fund-raiser: “High Maintenance” wins the helicopter ride!

North Head Lighthouse, Bay Bulls

Motion Head Path

Spout Path

Q: “High Maintenance” is a great team name! You mentioned that a large part of your volunteering has been in the areas of Trail Maintenance and Public Education and Outreach. Tell us more about those.

Silver Mine Head Path, Middle Cove, Jantje Vanhouwelingen, September 2024

A: The custodian program was initiated to provide bi-annual trail reports on each section, listing and prioritizing any and all trail problems: erosion, broken structures, absence of signage. Volunteers access and report on their section spring and fall which helps plan the crew work and volunteer maintenance outings. I enjoy the custodian program and meeting folks on the trail. Bonus: we usually have a potluck meal in the fall. Having been involved for so long, I’ve since taken a step back from the custodian program to let new volunteers get involved with that effort.

For at least 15 years I have been bringing an ECTA table to markets and fairs wherever possible. In the early days many folks had never heard of the ECT and education/information was my main goal. The office would lend me a laptop and I had a disc of trail photos, crew working photos, viewpoints, new boardwalks, volunteer outings, etc. We had brochures, maps for sale, t-shirts, and membership and volunteer sign up sheets.

This is important public outreach and I loved it: Earth Day, Xmas fairs, Southern Shore Shamrock Festival, Farmers Market, Health Fairs, etc. We sold a lot of products including memberships, over the years, important for sustainability of any non-profit.

For several of those years part of our message was anti-plastic single-use bags! I had that table in all the box stores around. This came out of special volunteer clean up outings done with the cooperation of the Robin Hood Bay landfill staff. We would return to clean up that area regularly, a lot of volunteer hours were spent on that project, and have made a huge difference to that section of the trail. Mark Graesser was instrumental in that liaison and the situation along the trail much improved as a result.

Q: Tell me about a memorable experience you’ve had on the trail.

Cape Spear Path, Jantje Vanhouwelingen, September 29th, 2024

A: Over the years I’ve seen quite a few animals, moose big and small, plenty of prints, various birds although I’m no expert. Osprey, eagles, rabbits, woodpeckers, chickadees, juncos. A couple times a red and a silver fox! Many times whales or whale spouts. Many times while working on the trail we would hear the whale spout, turn around and see the whales right below the cliff! You could smell their breath! Of course seals, always curious, in Doctors Cove, La Manche, and Tinkers Point Path. 

I love to ask long distance hikers where they started, where they’re from. Many from Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario, many of the states. I met long distance hikers from Europe, and even a group from South America. If they’re wearing a pack they are long distance hikers! I usually ask about any troubles they’ve had, helps to get hikers experiences to pass on to the office!

There are no dangerous animals here! Compared to living near the Appalachian trail! I didn’t feel comfortable hiking alone there, but it’s never been a worry here. It’s not impossible to have a problem but I never have. It says a lot about the demographic we attract.

Q: You’re so experience and involved! So, what’s next? 

A: What’s important now? Well, Earth Day everyday: Reduce, Reuse, then Recycle. Leave No Trace. Protect the Trail. Respect the landowners. No Fires Please. Support the Trail with your membership. Volunteer with the Association if you can. Spread the word. Keep Hiking!

Wow, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Jantje!

Do you have a favourite photo from the Trail? Share your memories with us!
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