April 28, 2012 - AFA-CSA Sustainable Forest Management Advisory Group

The Algonquin Forestry Authority is in the process of updating its Canadian Standards Association Sustainable Forest Management certification. The ABR accepted the AFA's invitation to sit on the CSA Advisory Group as a representative of recreationalists' interests.

The first CSA Advisory Group meeting occurred January 31st and February 1st, the second occurred March 1st and 2nd, and the third occurred April 3rd and 4th. More meetings are scheduled through the year.

The ABR's attendance at these meetings is documented here, in this website's new "Forestry" section.

May 12, 2011 - Working Relationship With Algonquin Park and The Friends of Algonquin Park

The ABR entered into a formal memorandum of understanding with Algonquin Provincial Park and The Friends of Algonquin Park regarding the education and promotion of Leave No Trace Canada principles in Algonquin Provincial Park.

The parties agree to work collaboratively on educating the public by using a number of mediums, including print, internet and video.

On matters of mutual interest, the parties agree to share information and knowledge of best practices in implimenting Leave No Trace principles in Algonquin Park.

The parties will meet annually to review Leave No Trace programs, activities and products .. and to set priorities for the following year.

This united effort supports an integrated and consistent approach to promoting and educating park visitors on the seven principles of Leave No Trace Canada.

May 12, 2011 - Submission to Ontario Land Claims Negotiating Team

The ABR Executive Committee submitted a position paper to the Ontario Negotiating Team for the Algonquins of Ontario Land Claims process.

Given the ABR's goals “To preserve, protect and enhance wilderness-like experiences in the backcountry of Algonquin park”, it was considered prudent to convey its concerns and hopes to the negotiating team's Committee of External Advisors.

The ABR position paper addressed the issues of protected zones, access controls, Algonquins of Ontario facilities, and fisheries/wildlife sustainability.

The submission closed with the hope that a land claims settlement could be crafted which will recognize the interests of all affected parties .. an arrangement which will care for Algonquin Park through co-operative and integrated management .. dedicated to the sustainability of the park's resources for all future generations.

July 7, 2010 - Emailed To Members: "2010 Otter Newsletter"

Sean Rowley, co-chair of the ABR Publications Committee produced a timely 3-page PDF newsletter and distributed it by email to all ABR members.

Featured in the newsletter was a reminder of the importance of Leave No Trace principles and the need for increased membership participation in the Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists. Also included was a promotion of the importance of canoe safety, a list of emergency contacts, and a request for voluntary financial support.

The newsletter's third page detailed "Portage Etiquette" .. something we all wish was more widely practiced! .. Download The Otter - July 2010

April 22, 2010 - Leave No Trace Partner Of The Month

In recognition of our past accomplishments and our recent production and online publication of "Backcountry Of Algonquin Park - Leave No Trace Outdoor Skills and Ethics", the ABR was featured (page 2) in the nationally distributed Leave No Trace (Canada) April 2010 Newsletter.

PARTNER OF THE MONTH     Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists

April 12, 2010 - Produced "Backcountry Of Algonquin Park - Leave No Trace"

Using the established knowledge base of our "Reduce Our Impact" program, we were able to produce an 'algonquinized' version of the "Leave No Trace North America" booklet, specifically focused on the backcountry of Algonquin Park. It was submitted to Leave No Trace Canada for final proofreading and three minor adjustments.

Titled "Backcountry Of Algonquin Park - Leave No Trace Outdoor Skills and Ethics", this eleven page guidebook was made in partnership with Leave No Trace Canada and is available online through our website.

It takes the reader through the seven principles of Leave No Trace, as they apply to Algonquin Park's backcountry and its unique circumstances.

Download it here ... Backcountry Of Algonquin Park - Leave No Trace Outdoor Skills and Ethics

March 3, 2010 - Park Management Plan Amendment Background Information Commentary

The Ministry of Natural Resources was requesting input on specific background information relating to a proposed amendment to the Algonquin Park Management Plan concerning incorporation of items from the Joint Proposal (of the OPB/AFA) for "Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Park".

While we had been previously been submitting a number of individual concerns, our examination of the background information culminated with a 13-page document involving comparisons between the 2009 Canoe Route Map and the OPB/AFA Joint Proposal High Definition Map. This comparison was facilitated by our "Camping Values Inventory" online utility.

Download it here ... PMP Amendment Background Information Commentary

February 28, 2010 - Camping Values Inventory

There had been numerous concerns voiced by both ABR members and the public over numerous campsites having being closed over the years and what would be the net result to their total count.

We developed an online utility which allows for the side-by-side comparison of various Algonquin Park maps. We specifically compared the 1995 and 2009 Canoe Route Maps. With the completion of this exercise, it became apparent that there hasn't been a net reduction in the number of backcountry campsites. Incidentally, the reduction of 17 campsites in the park's northwest corner has been roughly offset by the addition of 15 campsites in the park's south end. This process was remotely achieved by a number of members sharing the work online on sub-parts of the maps.

Download a PDF of spreadsheet

February 20, 2010 - Became Partners With Leave No Trace Canada

We became partners with "Leave No Trace - Canada". Our original program promoting the careful treatment of the backcountry's waterways, trails, campsites and portages was known as "Reduce Our Impact".By expanding into partnering with LNT, we joined with Algonquin Park and The Friends of Algonquin Park in a broadened base of support for LNT Outdoor Ethics.

We renamed the "Reduce Our Impact" page of our website to "Leave No Trace" and started our promotion of LNT skills and ethics.

See ... ABR/LNT website page

January 27, 2010 - Further Submission To The 2010-2020 Forest Management Plan

We submitted a nine-page report "Comments Regarding The Algonquin Park 2010-2020 Forest Management Plan". Its first part involved "Roads of Concern", describing ABR concerns over specific logging roads' crossings of and proximities to portages, hiking trails, shorelines and water courses.

Its second part referred to the "The Planning Process". It presented concerns over both the methodology by which road alignments were selected and the way in which public participation has been integrated into the planning process.

See archived ... news020.htm

November 21, 2009 - Acquisition Of Joint Proposals High Definition Map

When the "Joint Proposal for Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Park, by the Ontario Parks Board of Directors and the Algonquin Forestry Authority Board of Directors" was loaded on to the Environmental Registry website on November 6, 2009, it contained only an illegible small version of the "Appendix B - Map of Joint Parks/AFA Boards Proposed Zoning".

We advised park management of the impossibility of reading the very small scale version of the map. They subsequently sent us a high definition version of the map, after which the Ministry of Natural Resources eventually made one available on the Ontario Parks website.

See archived ... news018.htm

August 26, 2009 - Further Participation In The 20010-2020 FMP Planning Process

A July 15th info-centre open-house for public review of the finalized 'Stage 2' information was attended. This was followed by the emailing to us of the Stage 3 Roads Supplementary Documentation. On August 26th, in response to information in this release (pertaining to the roads we had commented on earlier, we sent a 3-page submission raising some further questions.

On September 8th, we received a letter from John Winters responding to the questions we'd submitted on August 26th.

See archived ... news016.htm

May 7, 2009 - Otter Newsletter for 2009 Included in First Members' Mailout

As part of the ABR's first regular mail-out, registered Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists members received their membership cards (with individualized identification numbers), an ABR bumper-sticker and a color-printed 2009 Otter Newsletter.

This year's newsletter included articles titled "The Case Against Nails", "Alternatives To Nails" and "Backcountry Campfites".

Downloadable PDF files of the newsletter were made available from the website.

See archived ... news013.htm

April 20, 2009 - Comments Submitted To Algonquin Park FMP Planning Team

We submitted a detailed 11 page response to Appendix 3 of the Summary of Long Term Management Direction for the 2010-2020 Forest Management Plan.

Our comments were regarding proposed alternative road developments, known as Billy Lake Road, Manta Lake Road, Three Mile Lake Road and Thompson Lake Road. We had concerns how some of the proposed alternatives would impact on recreational values in the areas.

Subsequently, we were asked to provide some clarifications. We complied with these requests by supplying additional detailed maps.

See archived ... news012.htm

March 2, 2009 - Response To Concerns Communicated To Algonquin Park and Friends of Algonquin

In late January we advised John Winters, Jim Murphy, Rick Stronks, and Beth Cragg (Algonquin Park and Ontario Parks) .. as well as the Board of Directors of The Friends of Algonquin .. of two particular concerns we had.

Excerpts: "we are hoping that this common problem (nails in trees) will be addressed more forcefully this year with an official park policy prohibiting the use of nails, encouraging their removal and promoting the use of alternatives for hanging items on trees." ... "the ABR has observed an inconsistency in the process of access point staff holding permit applicants accountable for having read the basic backcountry rules prior to receiving their camping permits."

Early in March we received a formal response from Jim Murphy to our concerns. Unfortunately, the park's entering into a partnership with the Leave No Trace organization didn't occur in sufficient time to benefit that year's camping season.

See archived ... news010.htm and news011.htm

October 29, 2008 - Meeting with Board Chairmen

Four members of our executive committee met with the Chairs of the Ontario Parks Board of Directors and the Algonquin Forestry Authority Board of Directors, along with other stakeholder representatives, and presented our position concerning "Lightening the Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Provincial Park". We formally presented our position both verbally and in printed form.

Excerpt: "The Algonquin Backcountry Recreatiuonalists (ABR) supports those recommendations of the Ontario Parks Board (in its "Lightening The Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Park") which will achieve setbacks, ranging from 120 meters to 500 meters, of logging from those areas used by recreationalists. These increased setbacks will enhance recreationalists' wilderness-like experiences in the backcountry of Algonquin Park."

See archived ... news007.htm

September 26, 2008 - Park Comments System - Submission Forms

Early in the year, park management started redesigning its "visitors' comment system".

In anticipation, we designed and published our own version of an "incident report form" for backcountry recreationalists to use for submissions to the park's "comment system". On June 18, 2008 we provided park management with a preview of our "comment form".

Later in the year, park management sent us a draft comment form for our review. We considered its two pages as excessive, that it contained ineffective empty "white space" and that it involved some un-necessary details. On September 26th, we submitted a revised draft single page design for their consideration.

The final form published by park management was focused on incidents relating to concerns over forestry (AFA) operations. However, we have been assured that the ABR's comment forms will also be processed into the park's new overall comment system.

See archived ... news004.htm and news005.htm

May 2, 2008 - "The Otter" Summer Newsletter

We issued a simple single-sided, letter sized sheet describing the ABR's objectives, indicating our website address and detailing some of the "Reduce Our Impact" guidelines. It was a compact one-page black-and-white newsletter in downloadable PDF format, for online distribution.

ABR members and the general public were encouraged to download, print-up and photocopy additional copies .. so that they can take them on camping trips to share with friends and anyone else they may meet along the way.

With John Winters permission that they could be distributed in the park's West and East Gates' pamphlet racks, we refilled the racks through the summer months. We also sheathed some in plastic and afixed them to the bulletin boards (as posters) at the majority of backcountry access points. The handout's content was developed by Robert Withnell, a volunteer serving on the ABR's Impact Committee.

See archived ... news003.htm

March 31, 2008 - Letter Of support for "Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin"

We sent a letter of support for the Recommendations of the Ontario Parks Board - Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin, to the Minister of Natural Resources.

Excerpt: "The ABR also supports the following recommendation (page 9, #3) ... 'While consultation is underway, the AFA should use the new protected zoning recommended by the board as a basis for forest management planning for periods beyond 2010, subject to modifications that may arise from the consultation and planning process.'."

We received an official response (May 8) from Donna Cansfield, the Minister of Natural Resources.

Excerpt: "I have asked the Ontario Parks Board of Directors and the Algonquin Forestry Authority Board of Directors to work together to develop joint recommendations for lightening the footprint of logging." ... and ... "Planning will avoid, to the extent possible, forest operations in areas identified by the Ontario Parks Board as high priority for protection and areas of high ecological value."

See archived ... news002b.htm

March 31, 2008 - Letter Of Input To 2010-2020 Forest Management Plan

We sent a letter of input to the Algonquin Forestry Authority (AFA) Long-term Strategic Direction being incorporated into the pending 2010-2020 Forest Management Plan, and sent copies of it to all participating officials.

Excerpt: "The Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists (ABR) request that, while consultation is underway between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Algonquin Forestry Authority concerning the recommendations of the Ontario Parks Board (in its "Lightening The Ecological Footprint of Logging In Algonquin Park"), the AFA should use specific new protected zoning and action recommended by the Board as a basis for forest management planning for periods beyond 2010, subject to modifications that may arise from the consultation and planning process."

We received an official response (April 23) from park superintedent John Winters.

Excerpt: "Forest management planning will avoid, to the extent possible, the planning of forest operations in areas identified by the Parks Board as high priority for protection, and areas of high ecological value." ... and ... "The Forest Management Planning team will consider this subject and propose further measures as necessary to ensure that Park visitor experiences are not negatively impacted by forest management activities."

See archived ... news002a.htm

February 29, 2008 - Meeting With Park Management

At the request of John Winters (Superintendent of Algonquin Park), the ABR Steering Committee met with him and his key park staff. A PowerPoint file was used by park staff in their portion of the meeting ... Presentation To ABR.pdf

After the park's formal presentation, we were given detailed responses to a number of questions we'd sent them in the weeks prior to the meeting. After lunch, we entered into enthusiastic discussions about how the ABR's planned programs and some programs being considered by the park could productively compliment each other.

See archived ... news001.htm