There is Staff report on 11/28 Council agenda dealing with the conveyance of lands in Happy Valley Forest to Nature Conservacy of Canada (NCC) by private landowners. As giving lands to agencies such as NCC is the only way those lands will be  truly protected I feel very grateful that there are landowners who do so.  As reviewed in the Staff report there are concerns within the equestrian community that their opportunity to enjoy the horse trails on these properties in the future; and I can appreciate why they are concerned given their perception of how NCC deals with equestrian trails.  From information I heard at the public meeting and from reading that I have done I am confident that the equestrian community is not being “shut out” for the long term; however, it makes total sense to me that NCC needs to assess the property and during that period equestrian enjoyment will be curtailed.