NEWS RELEASE: Temagami Area Camps speak out for full protection of Wolf Lake

$3.5 million in annual economic activity depends on areas like Wolf Lake

Sudbury – December 15, 2011 – A group of eight Temagami camps wrote to Minister Gravelle today urging him to permanently protect Wolf Lake and its ancient forests from all industry.  The camps infuse over $3.5 million in direct spending into the economy each year, while providing leadership development, healing, and educational experiences to approximately 700 youth.  

“Mining in this area will negatively affect our ability to run canoe trips in the region and destruction of the old growth forests permanently eliminates a landscape vital to our economic health,” said Eoin Wood, President of the Association of Youth Camps on the Temagami Lakes (AYCTL). 

An MNR proposal takes this unique landscape further away from regulation as a permanently protected area – a designation that is long overdue. In doing so it leaves irreplaceable ecosystems and prime canoe routes in peril from industry and badly managed recreation.

“The Wolf Lake old-growth forest, including substantial buffer zones on all sides, should be fully and permanently protected – under no circumstances should industrial activities be allowed to proceed in Canada’s largest old-growth red pine forest,” said Bruce Ingersoll, Director of Camp Keewaydin.  “Our campers have enjoyed Wolf Lake for over 100 years, bringing stable, sustainable economic activity to Ontario.  This area should be permanently protected so that our grandchildren can enjoy it as we have.”

Camp Keewaydin alone has infused over $70 million into the economy since it opened in 1903 by bringing over 16,000 youth on wilderness canoe trips.

CONTACT
Bruce Ingersoll
Director, Keewaydin Camp
(802) 352-4709
bruce@keewaydin.org