Current Issues
A number of key issues are being addressed by the ABR over the 2009-2010 fall-winter period. They're briefly described below, where one can access specific reference pages and associated individual discussion forums. This section has been established for the public to become aware of the ABR's associated activities and to share in discussions concerning these issues.
Skills Development - Improving individual campers' skills is paramount in both achieving campers' safety and sustaining park values. Amongst ABR objectives are "Minimize backcountry recreationalists' impact on Algonquin Park's campsites, portages and hiking trails." and "Minimize backcountry recreationalists' impact on Algonquin Park's environment .. its forest and lakes."
The ABR's hope, for campers to have educational opportunities toward these objectives, is greatly encouraged by Park Superintendent John Winters' efforts to establish a Skills Centre .. a facility for the teaching of outdoor recreational skills and the promotion of the importance of the park's ecological integrity. John Winters indicated in the 2009 Algonquin Information Guide, that he is "very interested in your thoughts on such a project". The ABR is fully supportive and intends to provide advisory input to this project. ... Forum
Reduce Our Impact - ABR programs include "Educate backcountry recreationalists about low-impact practices" and "Educate backcountry recreationalists about reducing their impact on the environment." Accordingly, the ABR has developed specific website content, distributed two informative "Otter" newsletters at the park gate pamphlet racks and posted them at access points.
The ABR's "Reduce Our Impact" program is now being mirrored by the park's possible adoption of the "Leave No Trace" program. Originally limited to wilderness camping practices, the LNT program has recently been modified to apply to "frontcountry" and "backcountry" situations, which both occur in Algonquin Park. The ABR will be pursuing its own Leave No Trace membership, actively promoting that organization's ethics and practices, and supporting any LNT program that Algonquin Park might adopt. ... Forum
Routes and Campsites - The ABR's goals are "To preserve, protect and enhance wilderness-like experiences in the backcountry of Algonquin Park". It is important that a balance be kept between the preservation of the system of canoe routes, portages and campsites .. and the wilderness-like experiences they provide. Therefore, it's important to establish an accurate inventory of these camping values.
ABR objectives include "React against influences which may negatively impact wilderness-like recreational experiences in Algonquin Park." A detailed and regularly updated Camping Values Inventory will allow us to determine when canoe routes are negatively impacted by segment closings, reduced maintenance of portages and an under/over abundance of campsites in individual locations. This will allow the ABR to advise on any related developing impacts on backcountry recreational activities. ... Forum
Logging Awareness - ABR's Objective 3 is "Convince society at large to protect and improve wilderness-like recreational opportunities ..." In 2008, the ABR promoted the "Recommendations of the Ontario Parks Board - Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging". Into 2009, the ABR made submissions to the AP 2010-2020 FMP Planning Team, relating to proposed Primary Road Corridors.
Low turnout at logging-related open-houses and workshops indicate that recreationalists are poorly informed about both planning and management aspects of logging in the park. ABR's Objective 4 is "React against influences which may negatively impact wilderness-like recreational experiences ...". This compells the ABR to provide a concise Description of Logging Processes, so that recreational "park values" are better protected and opportunities to enjoy more "wilderness-like recreational experiences" are improved. ... Forum
Issues.htm ... updated Sept. 10, 2009