After one year serving as President to Friends of Temagami (FOT), I am much more versed in the ins and outs and the complexity of what makes Temagami such a special place to so many people.  This first year of tenure has made me realize that no longer is Temagami just a place I love to explore by canoe but a region that requires a well-grounded voice of opposition to a bureaucracy that is narrowly focused on monetary return.

During the last year, I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with such a varied group of people, all interested in some form of protection or promotion of Temagami. There are of course people interested in the canoeing and hiking opportunities that the area is famous for.  Secondly, there is the group of people interested in saving the trees and the Old Growth Forests that make the Temagami region unique.  The third group are people with a vested interest in both the aforementioned that support their local tourism based businesses and investments.  These are the people that make up the FOT membership and readership.  It is all these people and their interests that combine to form and direct FOT, and the common bond, that is a love for Temagami, is what makes this advocacy group so strong.

The Annual General Meeting held this Nov. 15th at Smoothwater Lodge, Temagami, was well attended by many friends representing these interests. It was a great opportunity for members and the public to hear the activities and get caught up with the many aspects that FOT has been involved with over the past year.  The meeting also gave a charge of renewed energy for the reasons that our membership joined FOT.

Unfortunately it became clear at the meeting that not all is well with the Temagami forests.  Much of the meeting was taken up by discussion of the recent Forest Management Plan for Temagami.  Although the plan is said to be based on the latest, best forest management practices, it lacks in respect and adequate consideration for the canoe routes, hiking routes and spiritual sites. It is this weak point of the plan that fails to properly protect and enhance this valuable resource.  FOT's review of this plan revealed that it is wrought with policy that does not support these cultural and natural values that the area is known for and will eventually put a heavy strain on the recreational opportunities that the Temagami region relies on.

However bleak this may sound, I feel there is hope.  Our dedicated members attend and comment on the forest management where opportunity allows and participate in the public input stage by serving on the Local Citizens Committees.  It is hoped that the individuals placed into positions of decision making take heed of the expert advice that FOT has to offer.  FOT has entered Issue Resolution with the plan, along with seven other groups and individuals.  This was noted as unprecedented in this Crown Land Management Area and that speaks volumes about the shortcomings of this proposed 10 year plan.  FOT plans to stand on our issues to see a change for a plan that has greater respect for the opportunities outside of resource extraction and put recreation and natural landscapes on an even playing field with forest management.

As I move into my second year heading this dedicated group, I want to make mention of the good work of our conservationist and recreationists volunteers.  This is the key asset that keeps FOT pressing the promotion of Temagami as a world class canoeing destination and moving forward on preservation of the unique ecologies and the culturally historical sites that make Temagami famous.  I encourage anyone interested in the well being of Temagami to contact Friends of Temagami to see how you may help.

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Alex Broadbent - President, Friends of Temagami