This article also describes how the YFBTA came into existence.  We hope to feature the history of  each trail in our area in future issues of this newsletter.

The genesis of the Leflay Trail lies within the hearts and minds of the community in and around Saltcoats.  It required a desire on the part of the Art Klause family (Art, Dorothy, Blaine and Brent) to ensure that the soil, vegetation, and wildlife would continue to be revered in the way it had under the stewardship of the previous landowners, Jay and Minnie Leflay.  It required the vision and determination of Jim and Shirley Jowsey who wanted to encourage people to become more aware and more interested in the natural world.

The Klause family and the Jowsey family began to envision a trail through the strip of protected land along the east side of Anderson Lake in Saltcoats. With the generous permission and encouragement of the Klause family, who own the land, Jim and Shirley began to formulate an inventory of the plants, animals and birds which were dependent on this remaining bit of relatively undisturbed land.  The Jowseys’ with some help of a relative with some surveying skills began to survey and mark out a trail.

Saltcoats sought and received some Federal Government monies in 2000 as part of  a federal centennial program.  Among other projects some funds were allocated toward signage for a possible trail on the Klause land on the edge of Anderson Lake.  Numerous community volunteers including Scout groups and Saltcoats School students worked throughout the winter of 1999 to mark and clear a trail which the Klause Family requested be named the Leflay Trail. 

The Leflay trail, including signage, was officially opened July 1, 2000. 

The trail was maintained through support from the Town of Saltcoats and volunteer labour from citizens of Saltcoats and the surrounding area.  The Leflay Trail was managed in this manner until May of 2003.

In Febrauary of 2003 at Saltcoats, Ken Kessler, Coordinator of The Provincial Birding Trail spoke to 16 people representing various communities along the Yellowhead Highway (Carleton Trail, Langenburg, Esterhazy, Churchbridge, Saltcoats, Yorkton, Good Spirit Park).  At that time the Provincial Tourism Branch was encouraging Saskatchewan communities who had active birding groups to coalesce in an effort to foster increased tourism in the province.  The people gathered decided that there would be enough interest to warrant a second meeting April 10, 2003.  At this meeting a decision to form a regional Birding Trail Organization was taken.

At the April 10 meeting the Langenburg office of the Regional Economic Development Authority threw its support  behind  the concept of a Regional Birding Trail Association.  A committee was formed and charged with formulating plans for such an organization.   June 5, 2003 marked the inception of the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail.

Since that time the YFBTA has continued to meet on a monthly basis.  The Leflay Trail is one of a number of trails which  is supported, promoted and/or managed by the YFBTA.  The Leflay Trail receives strong volunteer support from the community within and near   Saltcoats.  The Leflay Trail  continues to be supported by the Langenburg R.E.D.A. , the Klause family,  and  the Town of Saltcoats.

The Leflay Trail sign on Yellowhead Hwy No. 16 is an invitation to visit the trail  which can be accessed at the Regional Park.

Distances: 

Start of trail to the bench and meadow ................................... 900 meters.

Bench and meadow to fence ...................................................  500 meters.

Fence and Blue Trail ..............................................................  800 meters.

Blue Trail to junction of white trail and back to the start ...... 600 meters.