Obabika Old-Growth Forest
Encyclopedia
Obabika old-growth forest is an Eastern White Pine
and Red Pine
dominated old-growth forest at the north end of Obabika Lake
, just west of the Temagami region of Ontario
, Canada. At 2400 hectares (5,930.5 acre) in size, is commonly considered to be the largest remaining white pine dominated old-growth forest in the world. It is also sometimes called Chee-Skon Lake old-growth forest, or Wakimika Triangle old-growth forest. This area was slated for logging in 1989 and was protected largely as a result of a blockade on Red Squirrel Road
in which 344 protestors were arrested, including future Ontario premier Bob Rae
. The oldest trees in the Obabika old-growth forest are confirmed to be at least 375 years old, but a diversity of age classes occur in this forest. Another important feature of the area is the spirit rock, a column of rock on the shore of Chee-Skon Lake that is of spiritual significance to the Teme-Augama Anishnabai
people.
The Obabika old-growth forest is protected within the Obabika River Provincial Park.
The forest is accessed by more than 6 km of trails, but the trail-head can only be reached by canoe.
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus, commonly known as the eastern white pine, is a large pine native to eastern North America, occurring from Newfoundland west to Minnesota and southeastern Manitoba, and south along the Appalachian Mountains to the northern edge of Georgia.It is occasionally known as simply white pine,...
and Red Pine
Red Pine
Pinus resinosa, commonly known as the red pine or Norway pine, is pine native to North America. The Red Pine occurs from Newfoundland west to Manitoba, and south to Pennsylvania, with several smaller, disjunct populations occurring in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and West Virginia, as well...
dominated old-growth forest at the north end of Obabika Lake
Obabika Lake
Obabika Lake is a lake in Northeastern Ontario, Canada, located west of Lake Temagami in the Temagami region. It straddles the Sudbury-Nipissing District boundary....
, just west of the Temagami region of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada. At 2400 hectares (5,930.5 acre) in size, is commonly considered to be the largest remaining white pine dominated old-growth forest in the world. It is also sometimes called Chee-Skon Lake old-growth forest, or Wakimika Triangle old-growth forest. This area was slated for logging in 1989 and was protected largely as a result of a blockade on Red Squirrel Road
Red Squirrel Road
Red Squirrel Road, also called the Red Squirrel logging road and formerly called the Johns-Manville Road, is a logging road located within the Municipality of Temagami, in the Nipissing District, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
in which 344 protestors were arrested, including future Ontario premier Bob Rae
Bob Rae
Robert Keith "Bob" Rae, PC, OC, OOnt, QC, MP is a Canadian politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre and interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
. The oldest trees in the Obabika old-growth forest are confirmed to be at least 375 years old, but a diversity of age classes occur in this forest. Another important feature of the area is the spirit rock, a column of rock on the shore of Chee-Skon Lake that is of spiritual significance to the Teme-Augama Anishnabai
Teme-Augama Anishnabai
The Teme-Augama Anishnabai is the Aboriginal community of the Temagami First Nation. The TAA have trapped and hunted animals in the Temagami region of Canada for over 5,000 years...
people.
The Obabika old-growth forest is protected within the Obabika River Provincial Park.
The forest is accessed by more than 6 km of trails, but the trail-head can only be reached by canoe.