Prince Philip Applauds Huge Conservation Gains in Northern Lake Superior Region

…as well as the province’s transfer of 1 million hectares of the lakebed, unprotected islands and shoreline of western Lake Superior to the federal government. The Lake Superior transfer is a necessary step for the establishment of a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA).

Protection of the Nipigon Basin, Prince Philip wrote, “will conserve critical habitat for threatened woodland caribou and other wildlife species unique to the boreal forest of Canada and will be greatly welcomed by the whole conservation community.”

Regarding Lake Superior, His Royal Highness wrote, the “National Marine Conservation Area will create the largest freshwater reserve in the world”. Full text of the letter is attached.

Monte Hummel, President of World Wildlife Fund Canada, indicated, “This is not only a great day for peregrine falcons, bald eagles and freshwater fish, but also for the people who call the north shore of Lake Superior home. Of particular importance is the strong local support shown for protecting one of the most spectacular freshwater coasts anywhere, and what has to be the deepest, clearest, coldest freshwater in the world. Having hiked and paddled this area many times, I’m thrilled.”

At WWF-Canada’s Annual General meeting last October, Monte Hummel presented the National Marine Council Area Regional Committee – a local advisory group to the federal government – with a framed letter from Prince Philip recognizing their leadership. The committee represents local mayors, resource industries, commercial fishing interests, hunters and anglers, canoeists, First Nations, tourist outfitters and landowners.

“All of us have eagerly awaited this day, because it marks a turning point in the fate of Lake Superior,” said Hummel. “This NMCA just could not happen without the provincial decision announced by the Premier today, and WWF strongly supports it. Now the province and the federal government can move ahead quickly to formal designation.”

WWF noted that Ontario’s announcement knits together an internationally significant complex of conservation lands and waters, some already protected, some newly announced – from the large boreal Wabakimi Park farther north, which is now connected through a series of protected areas to Lake Nipigon, which in turn is connected through the now-protected Nipigon River, to the future Lake Superior NMCA. This adds up to almost 2.4 million hectares in all, an area equal to all the land announced in March, 2000, by Premier Mike Harris through the Lands for Life/Living Legacy land use planning process.