Wilderness Committee - Ontario Office

10/05/2026

Join the Catchacoma Forest Stewardship Committee to test out and launch their self-guided informative hiking trails through the old growth eastern hemlock forest north of Buckhorn. Learn about the efforts to get protection status for this forest, currently leased for logging.

Bring a group and grab a map and field guide to try out the trails!

This will be just one of the cool hikes we're bringing your way for Ontario old-growth symposium! Register here:
WildernessCommittee.org/ONOGS2026

10/01/2026

The second annual Ontario Old-Growth Symposium will bring together researchers, conservationists and nature-lovers to share perspectives on identifying and protecting old-growth and intact forests for their vital contributions to biodiversity, climate resilience and human well-being.

Registration is free, but donations are welcome. Register here: WildernessCommittee.org/ONOGS2026

09/28/2026

We were honoured to express our appreciation for the Friends of Balls Bridge and Little Lakes ( ) this weekend at their "The Lights that Shone the Way" event to celebrate the significant strides they made in holding the gravel mining industry accountable to community concerns about their impact on the environment, species at risk protections and public health.

After years of raising awareness about the impacts of a proposed new gravel mine and the lack of need for it (they already have the highest number of pits per capita in the province) and a grueling and expensive Ontario Land Tribunal hearing, FOBBLL secured:
a) additional buffers for endangered wood turtle habitat (30 metres--double what the proponent wanted)
b) science-based air monitoring for carcinogenic PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter)

This is just one of many communities fighting a David & Goliath battles to protect their lands and waters from the destructive and under regulated impacts of gravel mining in Ontario. That's why we are founding partners of the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition ( ) to call for a moratorium on new approvals until the process is reformed to forefront concerns for water, species-at-risk, air, public health, safety, Indigenous rights and need.

Thanks also to who was the fearless, talented and experienced environmental lawyer who guided FOBBLL through the OLT process. Thanks to Elizabeth whose turtle vigilance snapped the elusive wood turtle photos that confirmed their presence in the area.

09/24/2026

We had a full bus of awesome folks on our Hamilton bus to Toronto yesterday for the Grassy Narrows River Run March. We were there with 9,000 others to show solidarity to Grassy Narrows First Nation community members and demand that the Ontario and Canadian governments:
-Compensate everyone in Grassy Narrows fairly for the mercury crisis that has impacted the health of the community for generations
-End the pollution by stopping the Dryden mill and ending mining and nuclear waste plans that threaten Grassy Narrows
-Support Grassy Narrows in restoring their community and way of life from the damage that mercury has done.

09/22/2026

09/18/2026

Register: WildernessCommittee.org/ONOGS2026

While the weather might be cooling down, the opportunities to learn about old-growth forests in Ontario are heating up! After last year’s roaring success, the Ontario old-growth symposium is back, bigger and bWhile the weather might be cooling down, the opportunities to learn about old-growth forests in Ontario are heating up! After last year’s roaring success, the Ontario old-growth symposium is back, bigger and b .

This year the symposium will span a weekend with presentations, guided hikes, storytelling and a film screening. Come to everything or just catch your favorites to hear from experts and revel in the old-growth-iness of forests in Ontario. Register now to save the date and watch your inbox for the chance to sign up for the weekend’s individual activities (TBA).

Old-growth forests in Ontario need protection more than ever, which means it’s never been more important to bring the people who love them together. Hope to see you there.

09/17/2026

Grassy Narrows are powerful leaders in the movement for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice. They have shown that, together, we can fight for justice against all odds.

Mercury poisoning has impacted Grassy Narrows since the 1960s, when 10 tonnes of mercury waste were dumped from Dryden Mill upstream. The federal government has done little to help clean up the river.

To this day, Grassy Narrows First Nation has not been fairly compensated for the serious impacts of the ongoing mercury crisis on their health, culture and livelihoods. To make matters worse, Ontario continues to allow Dryden Mill to discharge toxic wastewater, exacerbating and prolonging the mercury crisis. There are now proposals for new mines and a nuclear waste disposal site upstream, despite Grassy Narrows calling for a moratorium on mining in their territory.

On September 23, Grassy Narrows is calling on Ontario and Canada to:

Compensate everyone in Grassy Narrows fairly for the mercury crisis.
Shut down the Dryden mill to end the ongoing pollution.
End mining and nuclear waste plans that threaten Grassy Narrows.

Grassy Narrows is travelling 1,700 km to Toronto. Let's make sure thousands of us are there to stand with them.

RSVP: https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/news-and-events/grassy-narrows-river-run-march-and-rally

09/17/2026

09/16/2026

Good news! Thank you to the City of Burlington and Halton Region for intending to file a request for review of the Ontario Land Tribunal's quarry decision of Aug. 18.
Media release: https://www.burlington.ca/en/news/burlington-taking-further-legal-action-on-nelson-quarry-decision.aspx
https://www.halton.ca/news/media-releases/2026/halton-region-to-seek-review-of-nelson-quarry-decision