TLA

The TLA would like to welcome Diana and Daniel who are the successful candidates for the Environmental Monitoring, Maintenance and Administration program.

Diana Van Vlymen

I was born and raised in Mississauga Ontario, where I spent the first fourteen years of my life. I subsequently spent four years in Airdrie Alberta (about twenty kilometres north of Calgary), attending a small high school, after my parents’ jobs were transferred. I currently live in Kingston Ontario with my brother Anthony, and attend Queen’s University. I am returning in September for my fourth and final year in the BScH Life Sciences program, which covers the three sciences with a focus on mammals.

My parents own an island on Lake Temagami, and the first time I came to the cottage was around September 1991, in a baby carrier with a mosquito net! My paternal grandparents bought the cottage in 1964, and our family’s grown along with our small forest. I’ve always loved the lake and recall fond memories of learning to fish, paddling a piece of foam around the island as a makeshift canoe, and blueberry picking in Shiningwood Bay (though I won’t say where; it’s a secret). We’ve survived many a thunderstorm, including one that nearly set our cottage on fire, and even a near tornado, but I think Temagami is one of the best places on this planet. I enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, waterskiing, and windsurfing on the lake, and hope to enjoy summers here throughout my life.

I always enjoy meeting others with a passion for this lake, and I look forward to meeting many cottagers in my time working for the TLA!

Daniel Sauvé

My name is Daniel Sauvé and I am one of the students working with the Temagami Lakes Association this summer to monitor the water of Lake Temagami to ensure that the lake is able to maintain its high degree of quality and cleanliness.

I am currently in between my third and fourth year of my undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa in Environmental Science specializing in environmental geochemistry and ecotoxicology.  My coursework fits perfectly with the type of work I will be doing on the lake this summer.

My interest in Lake Temagami comes from my family’s history with the area.  My great grandparents first began coming to Temagami in the 1920’s to camp at Finlayson Point and in the 1950s my grandfather and great-grandfather built our family cottage on Bell Island.  Ever since then, our family has called Temagami our home for the summer months and we continue to be amazed with the natural beauty Lake Temagami holds. This is the place I learned to swim, to drive an outboard, canoe and sail. This year, I am hoping to add windsurfing to that list. I am looking forward to meeting many of the members of the Temagami Lakes Association during the summer, on the lake or at the office.  I am happy to be part of the effort to maintain Temagami’s impeccable beauty through monitoring and understanding the water quality of the lake.

The Power of the Canoe: Birch Bark Canoes and Native Youth

A Documentary project in Temagami, Canada by Voyages of Rediscovery

Tuesday, 13 March 2012 09:20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ontario cancels plans to remove forest reserve status from Wolf Lake, but leaves rare old growth forest threatened by mining

Toronto – Today the Ontario government announced that it is cancelling plans to remove forest reserve status from the heart of the world’s largest remaining old growth red pine forest, responding to a massive public outcry in favour of protecting the area. The Wolf Lake Coalition congratulates Minister Gravelle and Premier McGuinty for making the right decision and taking this important first step. However, Wolf Lake’s ancient pines remain open to mining and are at immediate risk from current plans to drill in this critically endangered ecosystem.

“We are pleased to see that Ontario is responding to the thousands of people who have spoken out for the protection of Wolf Lake,” said David Sone of Earthroots, speaking on behalf of the Wolf Lake Coalition.“Now it is time to finish the job of permanently protecting Wolf Lake by including this unique forest as part of the Chiniguchi Waterway Park.

In 1999, the government of Ontario promised to protect the 300 year old Wolf Lake ancient pines located in the famous greater Temagami canoeing area northeast of Sudbury.The Wolf Lake Coalition (savewolflake.org) comprises 27 Sudbury-area, provincial and national organizations and businesses. The Coalition calls on the government of Ontario to honour the 13 year old promise to permanently protect Wolf Lake.
“Old growth forests are extremely important as habitat for rare wildlife, storehouses of genetic information, and records of our changing climate,” explained renowned old growth ecologist Dr. Peter Quinby. ”Allowing mining at Wolf Lake is a very short sighted policy that puts our best remaining example of this rare ancient forest ecosystem at risk.”

“This red pine old growth forest is a unique ecological treasure right in our backyard,” said Naomi Grant of the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury. “Not only does this make us incredibly fortunate to be able to experience and share this special place, but it also gives us a responsibility to ensure future generations can do the same. Places like this make Sudbury an amazing place to live.”

Red pine is one of Ontario’s most iconic tree species; a signature of our cherished northern landscape. Ancient red pine forests once covered much of north-eastern North America, including what is now downtown Sudbury. Extensive logging and mining have eliminated these ancient forests on all but 1.2% of their original extent, making them a critically endangered ecosystem.

The Wolf Lake ancient red pine forest is by far the largest remaining example of this disappearing ecosystem – more than triple the size of the next largest remnant.

CONTACT
David Sone, Wolf Lake Coalition: 416-599-0152 x.13
Dr. Peter Quinby, Old Growth Ecologist: 705-476-2165
Franco Mariotti, Wolf Lake Coalition: 705-522-3701 ext. 244

MORE INFORMATION: SaveWolfLake.org

Area needs permanent protection – The Sudbury Star – Ontario, CA.

Allan Eustis sends us a photo today that shows  thin ice on the deeper lakes, but thicker ice forming on the shallower lakes.

Protect The Old Growth Forest Reserve at Wolf Lake – Temagami
We the undersigned, call on the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources: Michael Gravelle to reconsider changing the designation of ‘forest reserve’ to ‘general use’ at Wolf Lake in Temagami. Changing the designation undermines the effectiveness of policy-or designations created to protect areas such as Wolf Lake. We want to see old growth forests respected and their boundaries of protection extended – not diminished, not degraded.

Andrew Healy, President TLA

The combination of the old-growth forests and mining rights that surround Wolf Lake have been a hot topic of debate over the last ten years, but never so much as in the last week. Following an article – Ontario breaks Temagami pledge  – on the front page of the Toronto Star, concerned citizens and environmental groups are speaking out against the removal of protected area status for what is believed to be the largest remaining stand of old-growth red pine forest.

For those of you lucky enough to travel to this area, which is just a short 5 or 6 day paddle from Lake Temagami, you will understand what the fight is about. As a guide for Camp Wabun, I have set off from Lake Temagami for Wolf Lake on a few occasions, each time the white granite ridges, aqua blue waters and towering pines form one of the lasting memories for my campers, just as it did with me at their age.

Many TLA members, including Temagami Youth Camps and Friends of Temagami have been actively speaking out to protect Wolf Lake. The TLA supports our members in this campaign, and will be monitoring the story closely as important decisions are made by the province early next week.

Stay tuned!