Katie Krelove

Make Ontario protect old‑growth

Old-growth forests in Ontario are in need of recognition and protection  — for the climate, biodiversity and people. These rare but mighty ecosystems are carbon storehouses, habitat for wildlife and cultural touchstones. It’s time for the Ontario government to prioritize their identification and conservation.

What you can do

Tell your provincial representatives that old-growth protection matters to you. Use the points to consider to edit your comments.

Why this matters

Public action has persuaded the Ontario government to grow protected areas and conserve old-growth forests in the past, most notably the Temagami logging road blockades of the late 1980s led by the Teme-Augama Anishnabai and environmentalists. While these high-profile actions prompted an increase in protected areas, it was not enough and not completed. Once again we need to stand up for old growth protection.

Points to consider:

(Copy and paste to add to your letter)

  • I urge you to work within your power to grow protected areas in Ontario to 30 per cent by 2030, in line with federal and international targets.
  • New protected areas must prioritize the identification and protection of rare old-growth forests across the province, such as in Temagami, Algonquin Park, Rushbrook Lake and Catchacoma Forest.
  • Old-growth forest protection is essential in efforts to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity, conserve essential carbon stores to mitigate climate change, provide valuable research and recreation opportunities and safeguard Indigenous cultural touchstones.
  • New protected areas are required to ensure intact boreal stands are conserved for woodland caribou habitat.
  • Phase out logging in Algonquin Provincial Park, starting with old-growth and roadless areas that have been identified through the Algonquin Old Growth Project.
  • The Ontario government must work with First Nations communities to implement Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and uphold the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and support First Nations decision-making in forest management.
Points to consider:

(Copy and paste to add to your letter)

  • I urge you to work within your power to grow protected areas in Ontario to 30 per cent by 2030, in line with federal and international targets.
  • New protected areas must prioritize the identification and protection of rare old-growth forests across the province, such as in Temagami, Algonquin Park, Rushbrook Lake and Catchacoma Forest.
  • Old-growth forest protection is essential in efforts to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity, conserve essential carbon stores to mitigate climate change, provide valuable research and recreation opportunities and safeguard Indigenous cultural touchstones.
  • New protected areas are required to ensure intact boreal stands are conserved for woodland caribou habitat.
  • Phase out logging in Algonquin Provincial Park, starting with old-growth and roadless areas that have been identified through the Algonquin Old Growth Project.
  • The Ontario government must work with First Nations communities to implement Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and uphold the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and support First Nations decision-making in forest management.