Protecting Our Forest: Exercising Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Consultancy

As we’ve been preparing to open our first three cabins, treading carefully on the land has been a top priority for us. As a Haudenosaunee woman, my people have always traditionally been stewards of this land and I am passionate to share these teachings.  Additionally, through Fanshawe Colleges’ Adventure Expeditions and Interpretive Leadership program that Phil and I attended together, we studied environmental sustainability, among other components of the program. So, along with the importance of sharing Indigenous culture and knowledge, advocating for the preservation of the landscape has been top of mind for us. Recognizing how careful we had to be, we sought out the guidance of environmental consultant, Chris Gilmour, who shared our passion of preserving the lands delicate balance. 

One of the first steps in our collaborative endeavor was to conduct a thorough assessment of our property and its flora and fauna. Through this analysis Chris helped us to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate web of life on our property. Chris identified a wintering deer bed, vernal pools important for supporting amphibian breeding, wildlife food sources and an assessment of our trees.

Armed with this information and ready to pair it up with Indigenous knowledge, we have created a plan for our forest: 

• Creating a low impact trail system that minimizes soil erosion 

• Planting shrubbery to prevent erosion of our properties ridge 

• A small amount of thinning to support forest diversity 

• Bringing in more native plants 

• Supporting wildlife with more food sources 

• Restricting firewood harvesting during breeding bird season (May 15- July 30)

• No firewood harvesting around edges of vernal pools 

We have committed ourselves to this forest maintenance plan and have been making all choices about our forest very intentionally. We have brought in clover to support the deer, highbush cranberry and elderberry for the birds, as well as white cedar which is a favorite winter  food source of the deer and holds great significance to the Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous groups. We are excited to learn and do more as the years go on in order to support our forest’ regeneration back into a healthy mixed woods forest. 

In the end our collaboration with Chris has served us with the right tools to transform our forest and in turn build a better retreat to share with you. We hope that in a world in environmental crisis White Pine Lodge Algonquin stands as a beacon of hope-that environmental consciousness and the amazing resiliency of the natural world will prevail. With each passing day that we enjoy the beauty of our slice of the Muskoka landscape we are reminded of our duty to preserve this delicate planet we all call home. 

https://www.chrisoutdoors.ca

Emily Porter