http://algomahighlandsconservancy.org/ The Algoma Highlands Conservancy (AHC) is a group of like-minded individuals who voluntarily contribute their time, energy and skills to a variety of projects related to our four fundamental principals – conservation, environmental education, silent sport recreation, and sustainable forestry. As a bi-national, not-for-profit group, with charitable organization status in both Canada and the USA, we work with many partners and focus our efforts on the Algoma Highlands area in northern Ontario. http://www.algomahighlandsconservancy.org/index.cgi?page=whatsnew Earlier this spring, conservancy assistant Jennifer Allemang who holds a degree in wildlife biology from Lake Superior State University, spotted a black wolf on King Mountain. Wolf sightings are rather uncommon and having one pose for pictures is even less so. Given that this particular individual seemed reluctant to leave the vicinity and that there were several wolf sightings in the vicinity through the winter, we might speculate that there is a den somewhere nearby. The presence of top predator on our conservation forest may also be a good indicator that we doing things right on the mountain. http://www.algomahighlandsconservancy.org/index.cgi?page=whatsnew Thanks largely to the efforts of conservancy assistant Jennifer Allemang and our partnership with the Sault Cycling Club as facilitated by board member Lisa Venier, the AHC proposal to the Mountain Equipment Co-op was successful! Through the MEC "Access and Activity" grant fund we have garnered $15,000 which is being used to hire two summer students Karlen Lowes and Isaac Rodgers and to purchase basic equipment that we required to create a new single track mountain bike trail on our King Mountain property. Following the trail designed and laid out by Lisa who is an avid mountain biker, the work team directly supervised by our new NOHFC intern Anna Rodgers, has made already made a tremendous amount of progress and the trail looks awesome!! While the ascent is certainly going to present a serious challenge to any rider, the upper traverse and loops appear to be relatively easy and then of course you get the thrilling run down!! Both sections cris-cross essentially the entire north face of King Mountain passing through some of our most pristine and beautiful hardwood forests. Many of those who are already in the know, can't wait to try it and claim "bragging rights". We fully anticipate that this single track trail will become a destination ride for hard core mountain bike enthusiasts from far and wide. At the same time, we expect it will also draw the attention of cyclists of all ages and competency levels who will most certainly enjoy the spectrum of other select trails on more leisurely pedaling tours and family outings through this area of incredible natural beauty. Watch our website for the official launch of the new mountain bike trail at an event we hope to schedule for late August this year. http://www.algomahighlandsconservancy.org/index.cgi?page=whatsnew The AHC is now offering memberships through which we hope to solidify our deep bonds with the local and regional community and which will provide a more secure, sustainable basis from which we can operate. Please click on the membership hyperlink text on the main page of our website for detailed information. http://www.algomahighlandsconservancy.org/index.cgi?page=whatsnew Thanks again to Jennifer Allemang for her initiative in re-designing our newsletter format. While it contains the same high quality and detailed information that our friends and partners have come to expect, we think you will find the layout including colour photos to accentuate key points will make it much more attractive and fun to read. http://www.algomahighlandsconservancy.org/index.cgi?page=whatsnew Our new NOHFC intern Anna Rodgers together with Jennifer Allemang form an excellent team that have already taken significant new steps in coordinating and re-establishing our environmental education program. The first step actually was the direct request of a request from Central Algoma Seconday School (CASS) teacher to host their outdoor education class at Stokely Creek and introduce their students to the natural environment at King Mountain. Anna also worked with conservancy board member Mark Harvey to formalize our longstanding partnership with Sault College through a new memorandum of understanding with their Natural Resources Department. As such we anticipate many more visits from students enrolled at both Sault College and from "across the river" at LSSU who have also benefitted for many years from learning experiences in the "natural classroom" which our conservation forest provides.