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Fraser Lake Walleye Classic nearly sold out

THUNDER BAY,  ON ---- June 8, 2010 ---The little known Fraser Lake Walleye Classic is expecting a banner year. With a few days until the June 12th event, only 7 spots remain among the 65 available boat registrations. The event is one of Northwestern Ontario’s first Walleye derbies of the season, boasting a $2,500 first prize.
Anglers from neighbouring communities as far as Marathon, Geralton, and Thunder Bay have enjoyed the derby, organized by the Nipigon Elks Fish and Game, for 7 years. All proceeds go to sponsor local hockey programs and the Nipigon Kids Fish Derby.  read more.....>

Prince Arthur’s Landing MarinaConstruction Delays Affects Boaters

THUNDER BAY, ON ----   June 7, 2010  -- – As Prince Arthur’s Landing Marina gets set to open on Saturday, June 12, the City of Thunder Bay is predicting a two-week delay in water and electrical hook-up as well as possible construction related interruptions throughout the summer. The Marina will be fully serviced by June 29.   read more.....>

Off to the Races!

THUNDER BAY, ON   ----   June 6,  2010  ----   Like Christmas, soap boxers get to race once a year. Just like Christmas the children participating in this event can get pretty excited. Then there are the young at heart the nine to ninety types who are the proud parents or grandparents of the children participating. In fact there were plenty of adults travelling up and down Thunder Bay’s Waverley street. There were plenty of volunteers running their quad runners up the hill towing the soapbox racers to the start line, and a few had the nerve to join their kids in the family car race shown above.  read more....>

 Marina Boat Launch Facilities Closed to the Public

O.F.A.H. urges MNR to help farmers 

 THUNDER BAY, ON - May 19, 2010 - The indiscriminate feeding of local elk in the Bancroft area that has continued unchecked for years, and the province's failure to introduce a comprehensive elk management plan, has placed the future of the local herd in jeopardy. Elk have been the focus of an extensive reintroduction program that has cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and involved thousands of volunteer hours. The province's failure to properly manage the herd, to use new regulations under the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act to eliminate the feeding of wildlife, and to allow farmers to harass the elk to protect their property has resulted in serious damage to local farm crops and infrastructure. This has led the Minister of Natural Resources to consider euthanizing elk in the Bancroft North Hastings area through the use of removal (kill) permits, over the objections of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.). read more...>

NEW BOARD AND EXECUTIVE AT NOSTA

THUNDER BAY, ON   -----   May 13, 2010  ----  The North of Superior Tourism Association has a new slate of Officers and a new Board it was  announced today.  
“We have assembled an incredible group of Tourism Leaders to manage the affairs of NOSTA” said   newly elected President Iain Angus. “Included on the new board are two former Presidents, at least three former Vice Presidents and a former Executive Director. And in addition the Board represents a  
broad cross section of both the membership and the industry – with representation from Outfitters, the hotel/motel sector, bed and breakfast, attractions, retail, allied and the not for profit sector.”  read more...>

Water Response Team Declares Level II Low Water Condition for Lakehead Region

THUNDER BAY, ON - May 14,2010 - The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) says drought conditions in the Region are getting worse.  The LRCA's Water Response Team (WRT) has upgraded the Level I Low Water condition, which was declared on April 19,2010, to a Level II Low Water Condition for the region which includes the City of Thunder Bay, Municipalities of Oliver Paipoonge, Neebing and Shuniah as well as the Townships of O'Connor, Conmee, Gillies and Dorion. read more...>

Drivers Urged To Watch For Moose, Elk And Deer On Highways This Spring

THUNDER BAY, ON - May 14, 2010 - The Ministry of Natural Resources is asking motorists to be extra cautious on Ontario’s roads at this time of year when more wildlife is on the move. read more...>

Anticipation builds for Nipigon Paddle-to-the-Sea Park

Nipigon, ON --   May 12, 2010  ---  Nipigon is opening the Paddle-to-the-Sea Park for its first full season this Friday, May 14th, 2010 at 12pm. Mayor Richard Harvey shares, “The Paddle-to-the-Sea Park enhances Nipigon as an essential destination for visitors to Northern Ontario, and highlights the world class fishing, boating, and outdoor adventure opportunities for tourists in Canada’s largest marine protected area.”.  Community volunteers in Nipigon have dedicated 10 years to building the interactive Paddle-to-the-Sea Park in our small town because the famous story of Paddle-to-the-Sea starts on the Nipigon River. In the story, a young Indian boy who dreams of visiting the ocean carves a wooden canoe, or ‘paddle-person’, who travels the Great Lakes and reaches the sea in his stead. The story inspired Canadian canoeist and film maker Bill Mason to create the celebrated National Film Board film of the same name. The award winning book was written in 1941 by Holling C. Holling who visited Nipigon before putting ink to the page.  read more...>

Choose Canada National Bird

THUNDER BAY, ON  -----   May 8, 2010 ---  Over 3,000 Canadians have so far submitted suggestions for a national avian to the website of the Canadian Raptor Conservancy, which set up the petition urging Ottawa to select an official bird. 

Atlantic salmon are coming home to Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters

THUNDER BAY, ON - May 7, 2010 - Today, an exciting environmental and educational initiative is happening on the Bronte Creek, thanks to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Pioneer Petroleums and many other partners. Classroom hatchery-raised Atlantic salmon will be released on Bronte Creek at 11:00 a.m. at Lowville Park, in the Village of Lowville. read more...>

Province fails to protect wildlife from threat posed by disease

THUNDER BAY, ON - May 4, 2010 - Despite knowing about the escape of exotic game farmed red deer in the Sudbury/French River area sometime over the last two years, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has failed to recapture or contain the deer, which have the potential to infect wildlife with CWD, a fatal disease of the brain which affects white-tailed deer, elk and moose (cervids). read more...>

Dorion’s Canyon Country Birding Festival

THUNDER BAY, ON - April 26, 2010 - Birds are the name of the game in Dorion these days!  For the second year, Dorion will be the home for a number of birders…novices and experts alike.  In 2006, ideas were being explored regarding new ideas in the Nipigon, Red Rock and Dorion area.  With Hurkett Cove Conservation area being a renowned birding site in Ontario, a Dorion committee took on the project. read more...>

Lakehead Conservation offers subsidized tree seedlings

THUNDER BAY, ON - April 21, 2010 - Following the overwhelming success of its pilot Private Landowners Tree Seedling Assistance Program last year, the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) is again offering conifer tree seedlings to the public at a subsidized price. read more...>

 PUKASKWA 13TH ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE

MARATHON, ONTARIO  ---  April 9, 2010 – On Sunday, April 25 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm Pukaskwa National Park will open the doors of its Administration Building to the public for a behind-thescenes look at park operations. This, the 13th Annual Open House, will offer members of the public the opportunity to meet and talk to the staff and volunteers who are working hard to make every park visit special.  read more.....>

Nipigon Golf Club gets $63,900 Grant 

NIPIGON, ON ----   April 8, 2010  ----   The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) will provide a one-year community grant of $63,900 to improve the quality of the North Shore Golf Club in Nipigon under the “Healthier Ontarians” program.  Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle made the announcement today in Nipigon, along with OTF representative Ted Hanley, President Doug Menchions and project manager Peter Elliott of the North Shore Golf Club.  read more.....>

 Neys Provincial Park Upgrade

THUNDER BAY, ON ---   March 15, 2010 ----  Michael Gravelle, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North and Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora today announced stimulus funding that will benefit local workers and the local economy in the Terrace Bay and Sioux Lookout areas and improve local infrastructure for years to come. 

Today’s investment of $700,000 in joint federal and provincial funding will bring significant upgrades to both the Neys Provincial Park near Terrace Bay and the Cedarbough Residential Ontario Ranger Camp in the Sioux Lookout area.

Immortalized on canvas by The Group of Seven, this remote and rugged peninsula promises silhouettes of rocky islands polished smooth by icy blue waters. Only the hardy survive here, including sub-Arctic plants and a rare herd of woodland caribou. Enjoy one the finest beaches on Lake Superior's north shore or view a model of a former POW camp at the Visitor Centre.   read more.....>

North Shore Steelhead Assoc. Dinner

THUNDER BAY, ON ----  March 15, 2010 ---  Frank Edgson, Co-chairman of the Dinner Auction committee for the North Shore Steelhead Assoc. holds a painting by Ray Swaluk. 

 The Painting will be auctioned off as part of their annual fund raising dinner to be held at the DaVinci Centre on the evening of March the 26th starting at 5:30 pm.  Tickets are still available, and can be purchased at DnR Sporting Goods on Memorial Avenue.  read more.....>

Outdoors enthusiasts gather for fish & wildlife conference

THUNDER BAY, ON - March 15, 2010 - The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) will host its 82nd annual Fish & Wildlife Conference in Mississauga later this week. Candice Hoeppner, Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar, Manitoba and sponsor of the bill to repeal the long gun registry, will deliver the keynote address. read more...>

PUKASKWA COASTAL TRAIL CLOSED TO ALLOW UPGRADES 

HERON BAY, ONTARIO, March 8, 2010 – Large-scale investments are being made in Pukaskwa National Park to replace two suspension bridges and upgrade backcountry visitor facilities along the Coastal Hiking Trail. These investments will enhance visitor experiences in the backcountry of Pukaskwa National Park for years to come.

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of visitors, Parks Canada is closing a 17.5 kilometre stretch of the Coastal Hiking Trail and the portion of the White River Paddling Route through Pukaskwa National Park to public access while bridge construction and site upgrades are being undertaken. The Coastal Hiking Trail
and both bridges are expected to re-open in the spring of 2011.  read more...... >

Government of Canada invests in Pukaskwa National Park

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, March 2, 2010 – On behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice,
Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, today announced investments of up to $2.3 million, including from Canada’s Economic Action Plan, that will support visitor experience, infrastructure and ecological integrity projects at Pukaskwa National Park. read more...> 

Canada’s Economic Action Plan at work in Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario - March 2, 2010 – Mr. Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont – Dundas – South Glengarry, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced major investments at Sault Ste. Marie Canal and Fort St. Joseph National Historic Sites. Also, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Mr. Lauzon, announced funding for the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site revitalization. These projects are part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. read more...>

Plenty of Seasonal Fun at Fort’s Voyageur Winter Carnival

THUNDER BAY, ON - February 9, 2009 - There is plenty of fun for everyone during the Voyageur Winter Carnival hosted by Fort William Historical Park February 13th to 15th.  Enjoyable outdoor recreational activities, contests, main stage entertainment, and fireworks highlight this exciting celebration of winter. read more...>

Vandalism A Concern To Conservation Authority

THUNDER BAY, ON - January 13, 2010 - The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) is concerned that some visitors to its Conservation Areas aren't there to enjoy nature.

Several Conservation Areas have been hit by malicious acts of vandalism most notably the destruction of several interpretive displays in a bonfire at Cascades last May. More recently, a garbage can at the popular recreation area was set ablaze with gasoline. read more...>

 Tightened security Canadian flights

THUNDER BAY, ON ----   December 26, 2009 -------  The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has advised that all passengers on flights bound to the United States will be subject to a secondary search.

Westjet state that every guest on flights to the United States will be required to submit to a physical pat-down search at the departure gate. Carry-on luggage is now limited to one bag per guest, which will also be searched by hand.  read more....>

 NOSTA gone under new Tourism regions

THUNDER BAY, ON  ---- December 20, 2009 ----- Ontario is forming 13 new tourism regions, and new Regional Tourism Organizations.

The Northern Region 13 will go from the Manitoba Border in the west, to Parry Sound in the southeast. The Northern Region is comprised of three sub-regions, 13a, 13b, and 13c.
 
Discovering Ontario A Report on the Future of Tourism prepared by The Ontario Tourism competitiveness Study, Greg Sorbara, Chair, February 2009  recommended 11 regions. See Appendix II: Proposed Regions of the report
 
In Northwestern Ontario, there are currently four separate regions servicing communities from Sunset Country in the Kenora area to Nosta in the east from Thunder Bay to Wawa.
 
Regional Tourism Organizations will be established in regions across Ontario in early 2010. These organizations will be responsible for working with tourism partners to enhance and grow that region’s tourism products and marketing activities   read more......>

Counting for conservation!

TORONTO, ON - December 15, 2009 - Citizen scientists are grabbing their binoculars and heading outside for the annual Christmas Bird Count, the largest single volunteer conservation movement on behalf of wildlife.  The count begins this week and continues until January 5, 2010. read more...>

Give The Gift of Nature for Christmas

THUNDER BAY, ON - December 10, 2009 - The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) has just the thing for last minute Christmas shoppers.

The 2010 Explorer Card is an annual pass which provides unlimited seasonal access to the Authority's Conservation Areas. Without the pass, there is a $2/vehicle fee for each visit. An Explorer Card provides the recipient with many benefits including the opportunity to view nature, improve personal health through physical activity and access to some spectacular scenery!  read more...>

It's Still Warm Enough To Play In Our Backyard

THUNDER BAY, ON - November 19,2009 - Mother Nature has taken pity on Thunder Bay, after a cool summer, and is providing residents with pleasant fall days. Temperatures so far in November have been a few degrees above normal and the extended forecast calls for more of the same until the end of the month.  read more...>

Gun registry shotdown? 

OTTAWA – November 4, 2009 ----  Both Local NDP MP support Bill C-391, a private member’s bill that would end registration requirements for non-restricted firearms such as hunting rifles and shotguns, passed its crucial first House of Commons vote Wednesday evening.
Thunder Bay–Superior North MP Bruce Hyer, who has long campaigned to end the registry of non-restricted long guns, said “I have always been strong in my conviction to end the wasteful long gun registry. I also voted in favour of C-391 because it’s what my constituents clearly want. Now, after years of campaigning we are in a position to finally end this boondoggle that has wasted millions of taxpayer dollars and made law-abiding hunters and farmers feel like criminals.” John Rafferty (Thunder Bay – Rainy River)  cast a vote to abolish the Long Gun Registry Wednesday by supporting Bill C-391 on second reading in the House of Commons.   read more.....>

Great Outdoor Photography

THUNDER BAY, ON - October 31, 2009 - Friday night Thunder Bay photo buffs had an opportunity to rub elbows with Garry and Joanie McGuffin. The couple have built a career out of exploring and photographing the Canadian wilderness experience.

Ray Boudreau Site Manager NMCA

NIPIGON, ONTARIO, October 18, 2009 – Parks Canada is pleased to announce that Mr. Ray Boudreau will be joining their Northern Ontario team in early November as the Site Manager for the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.

Ray holds a diploma in forestry from Sir Sandford Fleming College and has enjoyed lifelong involvement in tourism and customer service. For the past eight years, he has managed the operations of the Pic River Development Corporation, leading a number of initiatives to ensure the corporation’s business effectiveness.   read more....>

Those who attended the seminar held at Lake Superior Art Gallery had to opportunity to view photos from their most recent publication “Quetico Into the Wild”, which was commissioned to celebrate the 100 years of Quetico Provincial Park. The photos in this book were compiled over a period of three years, and book depicts the story of a family’s experience in the park through different seasons of the year. read more...>

Seven Days With the Giant

THUNDER BAY, ON ----   February 16, 2010  ----   Tourism Thunder Bay, in partnership with over 15 tourism industry partners, is once again offering one winner and three guests the opportunity to win the ultimate week long outdoor adventure in Thunder Bay this summer.

Now in its third year, ”Seven Days With the Giant” capitalizes upon our connection to the iconic geography of the Sleeping Giant, our intimate connection to Lake Superior and the unique cultural and culinary experiences in and around the city.  This year’s grand prize, an all expanses paid vacation valued at over $12 000, generates significant interest through the North American avid outdoor community, positioning Thunder Bay as one of North America’s best outdoor cities.   read more.....>

GRAND OPENING OF THE PADDLE-TO-THE-SEA PARK 2010

THUNDER BAY, ON - March 19, 2010 - The first full year for the Paddle to the Sea Park is finally here! We welcome you to enjoy new activities and events that share the story of the award winning book, Paddle-to-the-Sea and the unique stories of our community and the Great Lakes Waterways. read more...>

Call Conservation Authority Before Starting Work Around Water

THUNDER BAY, ON - March 18, 2010 - The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) is reminding propeliy owners and contractors to give them a call before starting to work around water.

Provincial regulations (Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses O. Reg. 180/06) may affect you if your property is located within the Authority's area ofjurisdiction and is located within the regulated area. read more...>

Canadian Raptor Conservancy came to realize that our beautiful country does not have an official representative national bird. We are obviously well represented by the maple leaf and also have many other representative symbols. We have national products like maple syrup, we have national sports like ice hockey and lacrosse, we have animals such as the beaver, the moose, the caribou, the polar bear, the grizzly bear, the Canada goose, and the Canada lynx, but we do not have a national bird. Why? Meanwhile, bird watching is the number one hobby in the world, not to mention falconry being one of the oldest sports practiced in the world. We think it is time for us to put forward a petition to our Federal government suggesting the nomination of an official bird to represent our country.   read more....>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

O.F.A.H. urges MNR to help farmers

 

THUNDER BAY, ON - May 18, 2010 - The indiscriminate feeding of local elk in the Bancroft area that has continued unchecked for years, and the province's failure to introduce a comprehensive elk management plan, has placed the future of the local herd in jeopardy. Elk have been the focus of an extensive reintroduction program that has cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and involved thousands of volunteer hours. The province's failure to properly manage the herd, to use new regulations under the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act to eliminate the feeding of wildlife, and to allow farmers to harass the elk to protect their property has resulted in serious damage to local farm crops and infrastructure. This has led the Minister of Natural Resources to consider euthanizing elk in the Bancroft North Hastings area through the use of removal (kill) permits, over the objections of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.).  read more...>

 

Natures Cathedral Rainbow Falls Provincial Park