Old growth red pine forest, native only to North America, has been reduced to just 1.2 percent of its former range. The cause? Historic and ongoing loss to logging, development and mining extraction and exploration. We cannot afford to lose what little persists. Yet, the largest remaining old-growth red pine forest in the world faces significant threats despite long-standing promises to protect it.
Located in the Temagami wilderness region, the 1,600 hectare Wolf Lake Forest Reserve, is by far North America’s largest remaining old-growth red pine forest. Despite promises to protect the forest dating back ...
Old growth red pine forest, native only to North America, has been reduced to just 1.2 percent of its former range. The cause? Historic and ongoing loss to logging, development and mining extraction and exploration. We cannot afford to lose what little persists. Yet, the largest remaining old-growth red pine forest in the world faces significant threats despite long-standing promises to protect it.
Located in the Temagami wilderness region, the 1,600 hectare Wolf Lake Forest Reserve, is by far North America’s largest remaining old-growth red pine forest. Despite promises to protect the forest dating back to 1999, it continues to be threatened and degraded. As a “forest reserve” it is protected from logging, yet mining and mineral exploration are permitted. Recent winters have seen the direct impacts of mining activity continue to degrade this rare and fragile ecosystem, with more damaging activities planned in coming years. In fact, the Government of Ontario renewed mining leases in the area in 2012 for another 21 years.
Wolf Lake Forest Reserve provides irreplaceable ecological, educational, cultural, recreational and economic value. Home to at least 210 different species, it is a haven for biodiversity. It is key to the ecological health of the surrounding watershed, including the Chiniguchi River at the heart of Chiniguchi Waterway Provincial Park. The forest also acts as a “nature-based climate solution” by keeping massive amounts of carbon out of the atmosphere.
The Wolf Lake Forest Reserve is a hub for experiencing and connecting with northern Ontario’s natural forest ecosystems. It provides opportunities to learn about the functions and qualities of old-growth forests, information that is crucial to understanding how to effectively manage and restore forests to conserve biodiversity. The ancient red pines, some of which are more than 300 years old, also provide a rich history of past climatic conditions. Eco-tourism businesses associated with Wolf Lake Forest Reserve contribute over $3.5 million to the local economy each year.
The Wolf Lake Coalition and other local activists have spent decades advocating for the protection of Wolf Lake Forest Reserve. The importance of protecting this forest has even been supported by global conservation icon, Dr. Jane Goodall. Securing proper protection for the ecosystem would be a significant step towards implementing Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy, 2023 – 2030. The new strategy embraces Canada’s commitment, as a signatory to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, to protect 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030.
Please join Ontario Nature and the Wolf Lake Coalition in urging the Government of Ontario to halt mining activities in Wolf Lake Forest Reserve and add the forest to Chiniguchi Waterway Provincial Park. This is a golden opportunity to fulfil a decades-old promise and protect a critically endangered ecosystem while contributing to national and international biodiversity goals.
To learn more about the Wolf Lake Forest Reserve and other actions you can take to support its protection, please visit the Wolf Lake Coalition website, www.savewolflake.org.
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Photo: Wolf Lake © James Paterson