Mission: Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists represent concerns of Algonquin Park backcountry recreationalists.

Goals - To preserve, protect and enhance wilderness-like experiences in the backcountry of Algonquin Park.

Objective 1 - Minimize backcountry recreationalists' impact on Algonquin Park's campsites, portages and hiking trails.

Program 1.1 - Educate backcountry recreationalists about Leave No Trace (Outdoor Ethics).

  Project 1.1.1 - Maintain a Leave No Trace (Outdoor Ethics) website section, including guidelines and etiquette.

  Project 1.1.2 - Produce and distribute Leave No Trace (Outdoor Ethics) materials to backcountry recreationalists.

  Project 1.1.3 - Produce and distribute childrens 'activity kits' promoting Leave No Trace (Outdoor Ethics).

Program 1.2 - Encourage backcountry recreationalists to effectively report maintenance needs and improper practices.

  Project 1.2.1 - Maintain "Upkeep" website content, to encourage the reporting of maintenance needs and improper practices.

  Project 1.2.2 - Encourage the accurate identification of individual campsite locations for maintenance feedback programs.

Program 1.3 - Help maintain and repair campsites, boardwalks, docks and other backcountry facilities.

  Project 1.3.1 - Establish and conduct a volunteer labour program, co-ordinated under park management.

Objective 2 - Minimize backcountry recreationalists' impact on Algonquin Park's environment .. its forest and lakes.

Program 2.1 - Educate backcountry recreationalists about Leave No Trace (Outdoor Ethics) and reducing their impact on the environment.

  Project 2.1.1 - Maintain backcountry-impact-awareness environmental content on our website.

  Project 2.1.2 - Produce and distribute backcountry-impact-awareness environmental material to backcountry recreationalists.

Objective 3 - Convince society at large to protect and improve wilderness-like recreational opportunities in Algonquin Park.

Program 3.1 - Promote the "OPB/AFA's Joint Recommendations" for "Lightening the Ecological Footprint of Logging".

  Project 3.1.1 - Persistent communication to provincial politicians indicating support for the OPB/AFA's Joint Recommendations.

  Project 3.1.2 - Express support for the OPB/AFA's Joint Recommendations by "letters to the editor" and by letters directly to reporters.

  Project 3.1.3 - Solicit similar communications of support for the OPB/AFA's Joint Recommendations from acquaintances and the general public.

Objective 4 - React against influences which may negatively impact wilderness-like recreational experiences in Algonquin Park.

Program 4.1 - Advise membership and public of potential and developing influences and issues that may impact on backcountry recreational activities.

  Project 4.1.1 - Maintain a website "News" section, featuring Algonquin news developments.

  Project 4.1.2 - Advise membership by a website "Watchdog" section with commentaries and reports.

Program 4.2 - Lobby against influences which can impact negatively on backcountry of Algonquin Park.

  Project 4.2.1 - Issue media releases and organize letter-writing campaigns.

Please note: The ABR does not take a position on logging in general, given our mission statement and goals. Our support for the "OPB/AFA's Joint Recommendations" for "Lightening The Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Provincial Park" is based on its recommendations to increase wilderness-like recreational areas around the park's waterways and trails. We have no intention to take on an environmental-activist role.