Esker Camp in the Ring of Fire Peter Gorrie

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A letter from our Boreal office

Help stop Wild West development from becoming an environmental disaster

Hello,

Have you ever been to Ontario’s far north? Not many people get to go there.  I wish I could show you what it is like to come face to face with a polar bear, or paddle down lakes you can still drink from, or explore the expansive James Bay Lowlands – one of the largest wetlands in the world.  As Ontario Nature’s boreal program manager, I feel privileged to live up here in Thunder Bay, the doorstep to the far north.

As you probably know, large-scale mining development is expanding in the lowlands at an alarming rate. I’m writing to ask for your help to make sure that this unique environment is safeguarded for our children and grandchildren.

Many small northern towns are eager to develop new economic opportunities - fast. But did you know that these financial pressures are pushing industrial development forward with inadequate environmental planning? This is most pronounced in the Ring of Fire, an area that some predict contains the largest source of chromite in North America. You may not know that illegal airstrips have been built, and that mineral staking – which has more than doubled over the last 3 years – has been used to lock down land so that it is used for mining without considering options for conservation. Just like in the days of the Gold Rush! Sadly this is being done with little regard for the protection of water and wildlife. 

Today, more than 30 mining and exploration companies are active in the heart of the Ring of Fire. A major U.S. mining company is developing an open-pit mine and facilities. Risks such as acid mine drainage, elevated mercury levels, displaced wildlife and damaged fisheries are looming. You can help stop this development from becoming an environmental disaster.

My colleagues at Ontario Nature are working with our provincial government so that the lowlands are protected now and during all stages of mining activity. My job is to work with northern communities in support of sustainable land use and the careful stewardship of natural resources. Together, we provide the strongest voice for nature in Ontario. But we can’t do this alone.

You are an important part of stopping the Ring of Fire from becoming an environmental disaster. A small donation of just $10.00 will help strengthen our voice and go a long way to protecting one of the world’s most ecologically important wetlands. Please make your donation today. Your voice is vital. 

Thank you for supporting a green and prosperous northern Ontario.

Yours truly,

Julee Boan Boreal Program Manager

P.S. Please forward this e-mail to others who love nature as much as you do. Ask your contacts to add their voice to ours. They can make a donation, sign up for more updates or become a member of Ontario Nature. You can help make nature’s voice stronger every day.

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