Saving the Solace Wildlands

At this point, it is no secret to many of you that we are inherently connected with nature. While there is certainly a necessity for commercial operations and expansions as part of the world we inhabit today, we still must remain mindful as to how we treat the natural world and more importantly, what we leave behind for generations to come.

We do our part of encouraging our friends, family and customer base (thank you all!) to create natural habitat, stand up for those who don’t have a voice and to enhance our natural world as best as we can. It’s a blessing when you think of it, and something we truly enjoy doing – we’ve made it our life’s work.

Every now and then, something comes along that really fires us up and makes us want to take a stand and enlist any help we can – if only just additional awareness.

Temagami

Nestled on the shores of Lake Temagami lies the small municipality of Temagami in northeastern Ontario. Serving as the homeland of the area’s Aboriginal community, the area is also home to one of Ontario’s largest old-growth red and white pine forests. As such, the area attracts thousands of tourists each and every year who enjoy fishing, hiking, camping and canoeing across over 4,000 km of canoe routes.

Friends of Temagami

A voice in protecting this pristine wilderness is the Friends of Temagami. A non-profit organization founded in 1995, they have been a leading voice for wilderness ecosystems, protected areas, and backcountry recreation in the Temagami area operated entirely by their team of volunteers.

The Solace Wildlands

As part of the Temagami area, the Solace Wildlands are what remains of some of the last roadless and virgin forests in all of the Temagami area. Bordered by Sturgeon River Provincial Park to the west, Solace Provincial Park and Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park to the north and the Pinetorch Conservation Reserve and Obabika River Provincial Park to the east, the Solace Wildlands has always been protected.

That is until the Vermillion Forest Management received grant approval to begin construction of a primary logging road directly through the pristine wilderness. Known as the Turner Road proposal, the project would cross numerous portages and campsites and would see a bridge built above Talking Falls located on the picturesque Yorston River.

What We Can Do

Friends of Temagami is funded entirely by donations, map sales, and memberships. As they are leading the charge on this project, we are encouraging those that are interested in joining forces with the organization for the nominal annual fee of just $25. Beyond that, additional donations can be made through their website.

Outside of that, Friends of Temagami is also encouraging those interested in voicing their opposition to signing their petition which is directed to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Natural Resources, the regional forester and the GM of Vermillion Forest Management.

They can be reached at:

Natalie Des Rosiers (Natural Resources) – ndesrosiers.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Tim Lehman (Regional Forester) – tim.lehman@ontario.ca

Mark Lockhart (Vermillion Forest Management) – mlockhart@nipissingforest.com