Home / Environment / Indigenous Land Returns: Echo Lake Forest Now Protected
Indigenous Land Returns: Echo Lake Forest Now Protected
30 Sep
Summary
- Nearly 1,000 acres at Echo Lake designated as Paswe Protected Area.
- Indigenous stewardship is central to the conservation of this land.
- The area supports diverse wildlife and includes important cultural sites.
Nearly 1,000 acres of forest, wetlands, and cliffs at Echo Lake in northern Ontario have been designated as the Paswe Protected Area. This conservation effort is a collaborative initiative involving Garden River First Nation, the Central Algoma Land Trust, and Ontario Nature, aiming to restore Indigenous stewardship over culturally significant lands.
The Paswe Protected Area, named after the Anishinaabemowin word for echo, holds historical importance for Garden River First Nation. Originally part of their reserve, colonial-era reductions altered its boundaries. Under the new agreement, the Central Algoma Land Trust will initially hold legal title for five years before transferring permanent administrative ownership to the First Nation.
Garden River First Nation's Guardian Unit will manage the land during the transition, overseeing ecological monitoring, species-at-risk surveys, and supporting traditional practices. The area is part of the Bawating and Ketegaunseebee Ecocultural Corridor, connecting to over 20,000 hectares of natural territory within the reserve, creating a substantial wildlife corridor.
The landscape features mature forests, cliffs, wetlands, and a significant section of the Upper Echo River, which is culturally important. Over 400 wildlife species have been documented, including several at-risk species. Efforts are also underway to protect the Upper Echo River basin through an aquatic restoration project.
Public access will be maintained through low-impact activities, such as hiking the Voyageur Trail. A detailed management plan will guide recreation, ecological monitoring, and cultural protection, establishing a model for conservation that links biodiversity with Indigenous land stewardship for future generations.
