Wolf Lake needs your voice!

Wolf Lake: The jewel of northeastern OntarioThere is a feeling at Wolf Lake that cannot be put into words. It is the old ones watching over you, the red pines that have been standing in this place 200, 300 or more years. Some of these giants now lay on the ground, needless victims of recent mining exploration.

[Image: Wolf Lake by Rob Nelson] https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/600a4e8950018a72d9692ce7/633b15fc394f50941fcb37af_IMG_9554-HDR.jpg

Wolf Lake is known around the world for its rare ecological value and as a paddlers’ paradise. It has been recognized as a fish sanctuary, a candidate for park status, and as a priority natural area for protection. It is a very special place. But it does not have any special protection from the impacts of mining exploration. When you come upon a grandmother tree felled, with the smell of oil overwhelming the healing scent of pines, roads cutting through the forest, the ground chewed and silt running into the water, it hits you right in the gut.

There is not much old-growth left in our world, and only about 1.2% of old-growth red pine. Wolf Lake is the largest known remaining old-growth red pine forest, and the only one known to be naturally regenerating.

The past two winters have seen increased mining exploration and increased damage. It has become even more urgent to protect Wolf Lake before more harm is caused. There are many ways to create protected areas including Indigenous led conservation areas, provincial park systems, and collaborations with the federal governments.

Observed impacts:

[Image: Huge clearings between Jess Lake and Cobalt Hill - wetlands flattened and filled] https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/600a4e8950018a72d9692ce7/633b1302f936ab0a8f664ac4_LargeClearedArea_FlattenedSpruceBog.jpg

[Image] https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/600a4e8950018a72d9692ce7/633b1449af8ce70fd2bd3d85_Screen%20Shot%202022-10-03%20at%2012.50.07%20PM.png

[Image: Line cutting - massive trees cut down] https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/600a4e8950018a72d9692ce7/633b14b6f936ab2534683066_FelledPines1.jpg

[Image: Mess of mud silt & spills. Bubbling into the freshet] https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/600a4e8950018a72d9692ce7/633b14f0f26a3a6df93ca83b_EffluentNearJessLake.jpg

Positive updates that are providing new hope...The Wolf Lake Coalition has been meeting with First Nation and government representatives to discuss the special values of Wolf Lake and explore ways forward that protect the forest and support Indigenous rights and stewardship. New collaborations and possibilities are giving new hope, but we need your help. To succeed, we must get the province on board with protecting Wolf Lake.

Please use your voice to tell the government of Ontario to act to protect Wolf Lake old-growth forest by clicking the link below.

Send a letter to save Wolf Lake‍

Text by Naomi Grant, Franco Mariotti, & Viki Mather, Members of the Save Wolf Lake Coalition steering committee Observed Impact photos by Viki MatherHeader photo by Rob Nelson