Scott Ewen points out the tracks from runners, cyclists and their dogs on the snowy wildlife trail on the western outskirts of Humboldt with glee.

“We’ve had nothing but positive comments on this trail,” said Ewen, vice president of the Humboldt Wildlife Federation.

“I love it. It’s awesome. It’s really awesome. It’s one of the first projects I worked on with the Humboldt Wildlife Federation and it’s great to see it come to fruition and get a lot of use.”

The federation has been in Humboldt for just over 70 years as an offshoot of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and has historically focused on the conservation of land and animals, he said.

“There is a huge amount of acres of land that are secured permanently for wildlife and it’s basically to keep our province from being mowed right over. Animals are important in the area, it’s part of life around here, so we’re glad to be a part of that and help keep that going.”

The federation is holding a turkey shoot and horn measuring fundraiser Saturday, December 16 at Humboldt Motors. Members will be selling slices of pie plates to win a turkey at the mall on December 9, and they’re available at many businesses around town.

In the past decade the Humboldt group has become more involved in community projects such as the wildlife trail and bringing archery kits into Humboldt schools, Ewen said.

They’ve even built a small archery range near the gun club to give kids a place to practice.

“It’s a heavy volunteer spirit right now and when you go with a heavy volunteer spirit, it’s going to go directly back into the community.”