Community Based Stewardship takes hold in Alberta Albertans are starting to take charge of their trails, backcountry and tourism opportunities at the community level.  Over the last several years several initiatives have come together to take control of the future of the regions they live, work and play in.  The Clearwater Forest Recreational Trails Initiative has been working for about two years in inventorying trails, to get a handle of the location of the trail system and what condition there are in.  The vision is to produce a trail map that outlines where people can go and provide tips on ethics, safety and natural heritage of the region.  What started out as a simple plan to save a historic and popular trail in the Lakeland, the concept has blossomed into a regional trail stewardship and mapping project.  In conjunction with the user groups, Municipal District of Bonnyville, industry and government land management and tourism agencies, the Bonnyville Trail Stewardship Group is being formed.  Although in its infancy, the concept has been received with enthusiasm.  In a region of award winning summer and winter motorized trails, the South West Alberta Trails Advisory Committee has taken hold.  The region is a popular destination for all forms of recreation and the community has banded together to ensure the trail system is properly developed and can be sustained over time.  All levels of government the users and industry have banded together to maintain what they already have and look into the future. This template of cooperation and vision is fast becoming the norm for communities across Alberta.  The Town of Swan Hills has long recognized the wilderness and outdoor treasures surrounding them.  Town Council has taken the notion of tourism being a viable industry, which helps diversify the local economy and already supported by the petroleum and forest sectors, to a new level of economic sustainability for the community. The strong Alberta economy is providing hard working folks with more money and leisure time.  Communities are preparing themselves to reap the benefits by providing the services necessary to remain viable well into the future.  C. Rakach Jan 2006