The Case Against Nails
Aug. 30/08 ... view of B. Bridgeford
Anyone who's gone on a few backcountry trips has come across nails sticking out of trees around campsites' firepits and tent sites. Ranging from small rusty nails from years gone by to giant galvanized spiral nails, they serve as hangers for pots and pans, as tie-downs for tarp ropes and as a means to secure "camp furniture" to trees. However, nails have no place in campsite trees. ... read more!
Alternative To Nails
Aug. 30/08 ... view of B. Bridgeford
When at a backcountry campsite, it's definitely convenient to have hooks on the trees, from which to hang towels, coats, pots and pans. However, achieving these hooks by driving nails into the trees is both damaging and dangerous. What I'm proposing is an alternative to the use of nails. ... read more!
New Park Comment System
July 30/08 ... news item
Despite the increase in abuse of backcountry campsites, there's an increasing number of backcountry recreationalists who want to help park staff by reporting maintenance needs and related incidents. At the same time, park staff requires more detailed feedback from park users for planning and management purposes. ... read more!
"The Otter"
ABR Summer Newsletter
May 2/08 ... news item
The ABR Steering Committee has released a compact one-page black-and-white newsletter in downloadable PDF format, for online distribution. John Winters (Park Superintendent) has indicated that hardcopy versions can be distributed in the park's West and East Gates' pamphlet racks. ... read more!
News & Views
Welcome to the ABR website. The front page provides quick access to "news" and "views". The two side-bars allow you to sample recent updates and contain links to the corresponding full articles.
Those of us who are increasingly concerned for the state of Algonquin Park's backcountry are encouraged to help the ABR increase users' awareness of low-impact practices, of protective park regulations and of negative pressures affecting the wilderness-like qualities of the backcountry.
Many recreational users are strong supporters of the recent "Recommendations of the Ontario Parks Board - Lightening The Ecological Footprint of Logging in Algonquin Provincial Park". At the outset, there was a frustration that while organized logging interests made strong objections to the recommendations, there was no opportunity for backcountry recreational users to show their organized support of the recommendations.
Another concern involves inadequate government funding being provided for the adequate maintenance and improvement of backcountry features such as campsites and portages.
With increasing use and abuse of Algonquin Park's backcountry, and with increasing organized pressure from conflicting interests, it is only prudent that backcountry recreational users group together to represent their interests.
If you are an "Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalist", you are invited to join the ABR and help us achieve our objectives.
Together we can all make a difference!
Check out the News & Views Archives