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Curve Lake First Nation Supports Protection for Catchacoma Forest
The CFSC is grateful to have the support of Curve Lake First Nation Chief and Council in our efforts to secure protected status for Catchacoma Forest, located within Treaty 20 territory and the traditional homelands of the Michi Saagig Anishnaabeg.
In December 2024 Chief Keith Knott sent a letter to provincial authorities expressing support for the CFSC proposal to designate Catchacoma Forest as a protected area under the Protected Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPCRA). Chief Knott also asserted that consultation with First Nations must be a priority in the selection of new protected areas.
The CFSC looks forward to working in relationship with the community of Curve Lake to advance protection as well as opportunities for land-based learning.
Catchacoma Forest Trail Enhancement Project
With generous funding from the Rotary Club of Peterborough and the Peterborough Foundation we are embarking on a project to enhance hiking trails in Catchacoma Forest. This will include marking trails, clearing debris, and creating maps and signage with engaging information to highlight old growth features and values.
We hope that these enhanced opportunities for low-impact recreation and health benefits will increase local appreciation for the forest and spur support for protection for Catchacoma Forest.
Conserving Catchacoma Documentary
What does it take to protect a rare Old Growth forest in Ontario?
In 2021, filmmaker Mitch Bowmile came with us to the Catchacoma Forest to tell the story of our efforts to get protection in a short documentary. "Conserving Catchacoma" was featured in the 2022 ReFrame Film Festival in Peterborough, Ontario and is available on youtube.
Media Coverage
The CFSC’s efforts to stop logging and get protected status for the ancient Catchacoma Forest have garnered local media attention, both for and against:
MECP Minister rejects protection for Catchacoma forest, Peterborough Examiner (2022)
Peterborough letter: Protect Ontario turtles where they live, Peterborough Examiner (2022)
Connecting with the environment and community at the 2022 ReFrame Film Festival, kawarthaNOW.com (2022)
Peterborough letter: Piccini could prove himself via Catchacoma Forest, Peterborough Examiner (2021)
Fundraiser underway for documentary film about efforts to protect old-growth trees in Peterborough County’s Catchacoma Forest, kawarthaNOW.com (2021)
Time is Running Out for Catchacoma, Peterborough Examiner (2021)
We Need to Protect Rare Ecosystems: A Response to 'Support Loggers', National Post (2021)
Opinion: Support loggers, don't vandalize them. They're environmental heroes, National Post (2021)
Catchacoma Forest Logger Deserves Conservationists’ Respect, Peterborough Examiner (2020)
A Catastrophe at the Catchacoma Forest, Peterborough Examiner (2020)
Guardians of Peterborough County’s Hemlock Forest, Peterborough Examiner (2020)
Green Giants, Ontario Nature (2020)
Exploring the Forest, Deep in the Land Between, Peterborough Examiner (2020)
The Catchacoma Forest and Climate Change, mykawartha.com (2020)
Catchacoma Forest Isn't Endangered Old Growth, Peterborough Examiner (2020)
Where Trees have Stood for Centuries in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, Peterborough Examiner (2020)
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