Paddle In The Park Contest: Coming June 28th To A Portage Near You

We haven't done a contest in a while, but this year we have partnered up with some of the best leaders in the paddle sports industry to get more people "Out There". We have also compiled 9+1 rewards and reasons to spend everyday in the wilderness this summer. Visit the Paddle In The Park Contest website for more information and how to enter to win some great prizes including paddles, repair kit(s), yoke pad(s), map case(s), Hap Wilson print(s) and more!

http://paddleintheparkcontest.ca/

"There has never been a greater need for society to unplug and reconnect all at the same time. The PaddleInThePark contest was created to remind people of the many rewards of getting outside, from our health and well being, to supporting our parks and wild places. What better way to do this than with a chance to find a handcrafted (Badger®) paddle, hidden somewhere in parks across Ontario? Hopefully this will encourage more people to get Out There. The contest runs until September 15th or until all the paddles are found – which ever comes first."

Starting on Friday, June 28th, 2013 there are 6 (six) Badger® Canoe Paddles (hidden by Hap Wilson, Kevin Callan, and Preston Ciere) along undisclosed portage trails in Algonquin, Temagami and Killarney

• Clues to their specific location will be offered throughout the summer, becoming increasingly specific
To follow along for the latest hints and clues to paddle locations, visit the Paddle In The Park website or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

• The contest will also include draws to take place each time a paddle is found for those following along at home.

• Once you find a paddle, contact us and we’ll send you the rest of the prize package and pick another lucky winner for our corresponding draw.

• Prizes, besides the hidden paddles, include signed books by authors Kevin Callan, Hap Wilson, and Laurie Ann March along with prizes provided by Portageur.ca, Jeff’s Map, North Water, Swift Canoe, Algonquin Outfitters, Keyak, Hooligan Gear and more!

Paddle In The Park Contest Website: http://paddleintheparkcontest.ca/
Paddle In The Park on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaddleInTheParkContest
Paddle In The Park Contest on Twitter: http://twitter.com/PaddleInThePark

THE REWARDS ARE "OUT THERE"!

The Stern Fathers

In today's modern world, a child still looks upon nature as a great mystery but with an immense disconnect. Good fathers put a child in the bow of their canoe and steer the investigation to ensure that immutable link to our natural world is established and understood. These are the "Stern Fathers".

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"Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the stars and the mountains above. Let them look at the waters and the trees and flowers on Earth. Then they will begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education." ~ David Polis

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Daddy-Daughter Canoe Session with Fat Paddler from Fat Paddler on Vimeo.
Awaking in the dark, daddy and his nearly 7 year old daughter head off for a canoe adventure in the nearby Ku-ring-gai National Park. An adventure of discovery, bonding, and of course a hot breakfast out in the bush!

Proudly brought to you by FatPaddler.com and BADGER® Paddles.

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Your deepest roots are in nature.  No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation." ~ Charles Cook

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So paddles up in gratitude to all the Fathers (like Poppa Badger!) who took their place at the stern and escorted us to those wild places, and who taught us that Nature is our teacher. A special thanks, also, to Sean Smith (a.k.a. The Fat Paddler) and his adorable daughter Gracie for sharing one of their very special and inspirational adventures, all the way from Australia, in honour of Father's Day. Plus an extra special thanks to our Mike for being Makobe's special friend, his protector, and his teacher - you are an exceptionally kind and loving Father to a boy with many exceptionalities. You, Mike, are truly a hero to me... and to your son.

Written by Fiona Westner-Ramsay

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day Poppa!

210 NEW REASONS TO SAVE WOLF LAKE

RELEASE                                          June 12, 2013 

Scientists find 210 species at Wolf Lake

recommend moratorium on further industrial disturbance

Sudbury - A team of scientists released a new report today on the findings of an intensive species count conducted last year at Wolf Lake.  210 species were identified including two bird species “At Risk” (special concern) the Canada Warbler and Common Nighthawk.  The report finds that the Wolf Lake old-growth forest is a unique and rich natural laboratory with the potential to provide the answers to many scientific questions relating to the ecology and conservation of endangered forested landscapes.  It warns that planned industrial activity puts this value at risk.

Download the report here: WOLF LAKE - SPECIES REPORT

“We strongly urge that no further industrial disturbance be permitted to this ecosystem. The forest’s sustainable values as a natural classroom, outdoor laboratory and recreation area should not be compromised for short-sighted and speculative mineral exploration” said lead author and old growth expert Peter Quinby.  “Any further industrial disturbance risks degrading the scientific value of this irreplaceable ecosystem before we have uncovered its storehouse of ecological information.”

The report documents initial efforts to create a comprehensive species list at Wolf Lake.  The first season of study has identified 210 species including an abundance of lichens (47), plants (84), aquatic invertebrates (6), reptiles and amphibians (10), breeding birds (60), and incidental observations of mammals (3 species).

Some of the more notable findings of this study include the following:
a high diversity of lichens,
an unusually high abundance of Red Pine regeneration,
observations at the northern range limits of several species of reptiles and amphibians that have helped fill knowledge gaps of species' distributions,
observations of two bird species “At Risk” (special concern) the Canada Warbler and Common Nighthawk.  A high number of mature forest dependent bird species like pine warbler and a high diversity of species/habitats within a small area.

The report makes recommendations for further study and identifies a need to determine the true extent of the Wolf Lake old-growth Red Pine forest, which extends beyond the 1,600 ha suggested by the MNR, and outside of the area protected from logging.

The Wolf Lake ancient forest is the largest remaining ancient red pine forest, an endangered ecosystem that remains on only 1.2% of its former extent.

CONTACT: Peter Quinby:  705-476-2165, Ramsey Hart: 705-476-2165.

Download the report at:  savewolflake.org