Shuswap Trail Alliance

What Shuswap Trail Alliance does

The Shuswap Trail Alliance (STA) is a registered Canadian non-profit charitable organization founded in 2005 and headquartered in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. It plans, builds, and maintains a network of hiking and mountain-biking trails across the Shuswap region of BC, having completed more than 300 projects covering 125+ km of trail across 15 communities over a 20-year operating history. STA's core deliverables are physical trail infrastructure and trail-management services, delivered in collaboration with Secwépemc First Nations (notably Splatsin), regional districts (CSRD, RDNO), and provincial agencies including BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC.

STA's revenue model is non-commercial and typical of a community-impact charity: individual donations, memberships, sponsorships, an annual fundraiser (~$70,000/year), an endowment fund, and targeted project campaigns. Cumulative cash investment since founding exceeds $2.84 million, with an additional $2.13 million contributed in-kind; catalyst funding such as the $132,529 from Pacific Economic Development Canada in January 2025 illustrates reliance on federal/provincial grants alongside grassroots fundraising. The organization operates with a lean 1–10 employee base, augmented by an active volunteer network and contracted construction partners.

The principal current project is the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail, a ~50 km multi-use corridor being delivered with Yucwmenlúcwu (Splatsin Development Corporation) as primary construction contractor on Indigenous-led sections. Additional product development includes the Corbs Trail Memorial Flow Trail (targeted for a June 2026 opening) and an international memorandum of understanding with the trail association of AMA Torres del Paine in Chile.

Name

Shuswap Trail Alliance

Legal name

Shuswap Trail Alliance

Website

https://shuswaptrails.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Shuswap Trail Alliance is a Salmon Arm, BC-based non-profit founded in 2005 that plans, builds, and maintains 125+ km of hiking and mountain-biking trails across 15 communities in the Shuswap region, serving outdoor recreation users, the Secwépemc First Nations, regional districts, and tourism stakeholders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Trail Stewardship & Regional Trail Network Management

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Hiking, Trekking & Mountain Guiding (THAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hiking, Trekking & Backpacking Tour Operators (THAAADAA), Cycling Events (Road Races, Gran Fondos, Sportives) (MPAKAIAC)

Keywords

• Non-profit trail stewardship
• Multi-use trail development
• Regional trail network planning
• Volunteer environmental stewardship
• Trail environmental screening

Headquarters

HQ city

Salmon Arm

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting trail projects. All contributions over $20.00 receive a tax receipt. The STA is a charitable organization.
2. Membership Program: Annual memberships supporting trail projects. Mail-in forms and online join options available.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Business sponsorship program with cumulative recognition including Platinum Sponsors for long-time contributors. In-kind contributions also accepted.
4. Annual Fundraiser / Silent Auction: Annual party and fundraiser event raising over $70,000 for Shuswap Trails. Includes online silent auction.
5. Shuswap Trail Legacy Fund: Endowment fund hosted at Shuswap Community Foundation for long-term trail sustainability. Estate planning and planned giving options available.
6. Rail Trail Capital Campaign: Specific fundraising campaign for Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail construction with charitable tax receipts.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Shuswap Trail Alliance is a non-profit charitable alliance that plans, builds, and stewards a regional network of multi-use trails (hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, paddling, backcountry skiing, active transportation) across the Shuswap region of British Columbia. It provides free public trail access, proprietary planning tools such as the Trail Environmental Screening Tool (TEST) and the Shuswap Trail Design Standards Manual, geo-referenced PDF maps for navigation, a volunteer Trail Stewardship program, and the 50 km Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail infrastructure project developed in partnership with Secwépemc First Nations and regional governments.

Product overview

The Shuswap Trail Alliance operates as a collaborative trail development and stewardship organization offering a comprehensive digital platform and regional programs. The core product is the Shuswap Trails Website Platform (https://shuswaptrails.com/) which provides trail listings, geo-referenced PDF maps, safety information, and a trail reporting system. Supporting programs include the Trail Environmental Screening Tool (TEST) for environmental assessment, the Shuswap Regional Trails Strategy & Roundtable governance framework, the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail (50 km multi-use rail trail under construction), the Trail Stewardship Program for volunteer coordination, the Trail Legacy Fund endowment for long-term maintenance, and the Secwépemc Landmarks Project for cultural heritage. The organization also provides specialized information services for backcountry skiing, cycling, and paddling, delivered through a weekly Mailchimp newsletter to subscribers. Membership and sponsorship programs support funding, while the Trail Report System enables community-driven trail maintenance monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail A 50 km multi-use rail trail connecting Sicamous to Armstrong in British Columbia, developed and co-owned in partnership with Splatsin te Secwépemc, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD), and the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO), providing free public access for hiking, cycling, and active transportation.
• Geo-Referenced PDF Trail Maps Printable and GPS-enabled mobile trail maps for the Shuswap region, created in partnership with the Columbia Shuswap Regional District GIS Department, designed for use with smartphone navigation apps such as Avenza PDF Maps for field navigation across the regional trail network.
• Trail Environmental Screening Tool (TEST) A fillable PDF report form designed to collect early-stage environmental information about new trail projects, including species-at-risk lists and key map layers, developed in collaboration with Provincial Recreation Sites and Trails BC for use by trail planners and government partners.
• STA Annual Membership Program Annual paid membership program supporting regional trail projects, available online and via mail-in form, with tiered recognition of cumulative contributions and benefits.
• Shuswap Trail Legacy Fund (Endowment) An endowment fund hosted at the Shuswap Community Foundation dedicated to long-term trail maintenance sustainability, with estate-planning and planned-giving options for individual donors and supporters.
• STA Corporate Sponsorship and Partners Program A corporate sponsorship and community partnership program for local businesses with cumulative contribution recognition tiers, including Platinum Sponsor status for long-time contributors, plus opportunities for in-kind contributions and cause-marketing alignment with regional trail infrastructure.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $2.84 million in leveraged cash investments distributed throughout 15 regional communities
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner for parks and trails planning and funding. CSRD Parks invested $30,000 for first phase of Scotch Creek Lookout Trail and is a key funding partner for the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail project.
• Secwépemc First Nations (Neskonlith, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw, Adams Lake, Splatsin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCritical partnership for trail planning within traditional Secwépemc territory. Development of accountable working protocols with Secwepemc Nation leadership. Splatsin te Secwépemc is co-owner of Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail.
• Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial partner for trail authorization, standards, and environmental screening tool development. Partnership agreement in place for South Canoe trail system management.
• BC ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial partner for trail planning on BC Park lands, contributing to trail standards and environmental guidelines.
• Shuswap TourismcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on destination marketing and development. Joint publication of Shuswap Trails guide (seventh edition). Support for trail promotion to visitors.
• City of Salmon ArmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for trail development and active transportation planning within city limits.
• Shuswap Cycling ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on cycling trail development, promotion of road and gravel cycling, and Shuswap Bike Month activities.
• Back Country Horsemen of BC Shuswap ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-user trail stewardship partnership for equestrian access management and shared trail maintenance.
• Shuswap Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts the Shuswap Trail Legacy Fund endowment for long-term trail sustainability. Provides infrastructure for planned giving and estate donations.
• Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on invasive species awareness and Play-Clean-Go trail stewardship messaging.
• Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owner of Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail with CSRD and Splatsin. Funding partner for rail trail construction.
• Yucwmenlúcwu (Caretakers of the Land)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSplatsin Development Corporation acting as primary construction contractor for Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail. Construction ongoing since 2024.
• Voices of the Okanagan (VOC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional outdoor organization partner for trail stewardship and outdoor recreation advocacy.
• AMA Torres del Paine (Chile)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational conservation partnership for sustainable trail design, restoration, and management knowledge exchange. Featured in Chilean national newspaper El Dia.
• Thompson Rivers University (Faculty of Adventure, Tourism, and Culinary Arts)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner connecting STA with international programs and providing research support. Connected STA with AMA Torres del Paine.
• District of SicamouscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for rail trail construction and active transportation planning.
• City of EnderbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for rail trail construction connecting to Armstrong and for active transportation planning.
• Gorge Ski Touring AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking to advocate for backcountry ski touring in the Gorge Creek area with community relationships with local user groups.
• Shuswap Outdoor Learning FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for experiential eco-tourism, ecological education, and healthy community planning initiatives.
• TrailRider ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for accessible trail access program enabling people with mobility challenges to access trails.
• Trail Mix Art ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for arts program integrating art and trails for enhanced visitor experience.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• North Shore Mountain Biking Association: BC-based non-profit mountain bike advocacy and trail stewardship organization. Most analogous peer in British Columbia, sharing the same collaborative trail alliance model, volunteer stewardship structure, and municipal/provincial partnership approach for the North Shore.
• Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association: Non-profit mountain bike trail stewardship organization serving the Squamish area. Closely comparable in mission (trail development, volunteer-driven stewardship, working with local government and First Nations) and operating scale to the Shuswap Trail Alliance.
• Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC: Provincial non-profit representing hiking, climbing, and mountaineering clubs across BC. Directly comparable as a multi-user trail and backcountry recreation advocacy organization that convenes volunteer user groups and engages with provincial authorities like RSTBC.
• Mountain Bikers of the Kootenays: Regional non-profit mountain bike advocacy and trail stewardship group serving the Kootenays region of BC. Same operating model (volunteer-driven trail building, government and First Nations engagement, membership and event fundraising) and similar scale as the Shuswap Trail Alliance.

Broad incumbents

• Trans Canada Trail: National non-profit that connects and promotes a coast-to-coast-to-coast trail network. Overlaps with the alliance's Rail Trail and multi-use trail stewardship mission but at a national scale and as a more established fundraising brand.
• BC Parks: Provincial agency that manages BC's park system and trail infrastructure. Functions as both a partner (the alliance helps plan trails on BC Park lands) and a broader incumbent that sets trail standards used by the alliance.
• Cycling BC: Provincial governing body for competitive and recreational cycling in BC. Overlaps with the alliance's cycling trail development and promotion work, but operates more broadly across road, track, BMX, and mountain bike disciplines with a sport-governance mandate rather than trail stewardship focus.
• Recreation Sites and Trails BC: Provincial program that manages backcountry recreation sites and trails. A direct partner of the alliance (adopted its TEST tool) but also a broader incumbent that sets the trail authorization and standards framework the alliance operates within.

Regional players

• Outdoor Recreation Council of BC: Provincial umbrella organization for outdoor recreation user groups in BC. Comparable as a convening body for trail user advocacy and stewardship, but operates at a higher policy level rather than direct trail network management.
• Pacific Spirit Park Society: Vancouver-area volunteer non-profit dedicated to trail stewardship and environmental conservation in Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Shares the volunteer-driven trail stewardship and environmental screening model but operates in a single urban park context rather than a multi-community regional network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ShuswapTrails
• Instagraminstagram.com/shuswaptrails

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shuswap Trail Alliance