Echo River © Tharanya Ravikumaran
Bawating (Sault Ste. Marie), November 19, 2025 – Ontario Nature, Garden River First Nation, Algoma Highlands Conservancy and the City of Sault Ste. Marie are pleased to announce the completion of the first stage in the Sault Ste. Marie/Garden River Ecological Corridors Project. This collaborative initiative seeks to identify and strengthen the ecological linkages across the landscape, supporting biodiversity and the long-term stewardship of key natural areas.
Bringing together Indigenous, municipal, conservation, community, academic and industry partners, the project maps important ecological areas to maintain habitat connectivity and identifies potential governance and management approaches to protect and manage identified areas. Ecological corridors are networks of connected lands and waters that enable the movement of wildlife and the flow of natural processes across the landscape, supporting biodiversity and climate resilience.
“For Garden River First Nation, this project is part of our ongoing responsibility to care for the land. These corridors aren’t new to us – they’re the same paths that wildlife, water and our people have relied on for generations. Working together ensures that Anishinaabe Knowledge is a part of the decisions that shape this work, so the land can continue supporting our community long into the future.” – Aaron Jones, Team Lead, Guardians Unit – Garden River First Nation
Over the past year, partners collaborated and gathered for three regional forums to ensure that local priorities and knowledge guided the project. The final forum of the year, held on November 18, brought participants together to review potential governance and management approaches for the corridor area and discuss next steps for continued collaboration.
“The Algoma Highlands Conservancy is excited to be part of the Ecological Corridors Project. It gives us an unprecedented opportunity to work together with other stakeholders and apply our conservation experience and expertise to a region-wide conservation initiative.” – Kees van Frankenhuyzen, President – Algoma Highlands Conservancy
Mapping and spatial analysis conducted through the project helped identify key linkages and habitats that are vital to maintaining wildlife movement in a changing and developing area. These findings informed fieldwork carried out over the summer, which brought community members together for hands-on training in species identification, vegetation sampling and ecosystem classification. The field activities are intended to build the foundation for long-term data collection in the key areas identified through the preliminary connectivity mapping.
“Through this partnership, we’re taking meaningful steps to ensure that the natural systems connecting our communities can remain healthy and resilient for generations to come. By planning ecological corridors collaboratively, we are not only protecting biodiversity but also fostering relationships that strengthen our region’s collective stewardship of the land.” – Emily Cormier, Sustainability Coordinator – City of Sault Ste. Marie
Partners have produced two short videos to showcase the project and highlight the importance of ecological connectivity available on Ontario Nature’s YouTube channel.
“Ontario Nature is proud to support the Sault Ste. Marie/Garden River Ecological Corridors Project. This first year has set a strong foundation for future collaboration and action to maintain and enhance connectivity across the region.” – Jenna Kip, Protected Places Coordinator – Ontario Nature
Looking ahead, the partners will continue working together, pending funding, to implement the recommendations outlined in the draft governance and management framework developed through this first stage.
For media inquiries please contact:
Melina Damián (melinad@ontarionature.org, 416-444-8419 ext. 236)
Communications Manager
Ontario Nature
Michaella McIntosh (info@algomahighlandsconservancy.org)
Administrator
Algoma Highlands Conservancy
Tessa Vecchio (t.vecchio@cityssm.on.ca, 705-759-2500)
Communications Manager
City of Sault Ste. Marie
Dustin Hollings (dhollings@gardenriver.org, (705 946 6300 Ext 250)
Communications Specialist
Garden River First Nation
Background
Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. Ontario Nature is a charitable organization representing 9,500 members, 130,000 supporters and 150 member groups from across Ontario.
The Algoma Highlands Conservancy is a not-for-profit organization created to protect the beauty and ecological integrity of King Mountain and Robertson Cliffs. Our lands offer an extensive network of trails that are open year-round for non-motorized recreational use.
Sault Ste. Marie was incorporated as a city in 1912, though its roots stretch back to the 1600s. Its rich heritage is reflected throughout the community in its architecture, historic streetscapes, cultural landmarks, museums, and parks. Since its establishment, Sault Ste. Marie has been home to notable leaders in business, science, sport, and the arts. The city’s natural beauty is showcased in the breathtaking landscapes that surround it, while its vibrant culture offers something for every resident and visitor to enjoy. Strategically located at the heart of the Great Lakes on the shores of the St. Mary’s River, Sault Ste. Marie serves as an international port of entry to the United States. Known as the “Friendliest City in Algoma,” Sault Ste. Marie continues to charm with its welcoming spirit and strong sense of community. For more information, visit saultstemarie.ca.
Garden River First Nation is a vibrant Anishinaabe community dedicated to the protection of its lands, waters and cultural heritage. The Nation upholds its responsibilities to steward the territory through community leadership, environmental initiatives and the guidance of traditional knowledge.
This project was generously funded by Parks Canada as part of its national initiative to advance ecological corridors across Canada.