Historic Partnership Establishes Region's First Indigenous Protected Area at Echo Lake
Garden River First Nation (GRFN) and the Central Algoma Land Trust (CALT) have announced a historic partnership, with support from Ontario Nature, to acquire and permanently protect 392 hectares (969 acres) of culturally and ecologically significant land at the northeast end of Echo Lake in Kehoe Township. This landmark initiative stands as a transformative model for Indigenous-led conservation, establishing the region's first Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA). The property will be known as the Paswe Protected Area. Paswe is the Anishinaabemowin name for echo, pronounced “puh-sway”.
In addition to landscape-level environmental protection, this initiative represents a meaningful, tangible step toward reclaiming history and restoring territory. The property was historically part of the GRFN reserve before colonial-era government reductions shrunk its original boundaries. Under the joint stewardship framework, GRFN’s Guardian Unit will lead on-the-ground management, including ecological monitoring, species at risk surveys, trail maintenance, and facilitating community-led ceremonies. A partnership agreement has been reached whereby CALT will hold legal title for an initial period of five years, after which the parties intend to transfer administrative ownership permanently to Garden River First Nation.
“The Garden River First Nation community holds a deep and enduring connection to the Echo Lake Wilderness Property. This land was once part of the GRFN reserve, a place where our people gathered, held ceremony, and practiced harvesting traditions for many generations. This project, in partnership with the Central Algoma Land Trust, offers an opportunity for cultural revitalization and environmental reconciliation, benefiting both the GRFN community and the broader Algoma region through the creation of a publicly accessible Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area that showcases Anishinaabe Aki (land) stewardship.”
The property falls within a priority cultural and ecological corridor collaboratively identified by GRFN, Ontario Nature, the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma Highlands Conservancy and other regional partners – including Central Algoma Land Trust, known as the Bawating and Ketegaunseebee Ecocultural Corridor. The property borders the existing GRFN reserve and Crown land, directly connecting to more than 20,000 hectares of primarily natural lands within the GRFN reserve. This establishes a vast, contiguous wilderness corridor that serves as a critical terrestrial "pinch point" for wildlife movement across the landscape.
For the Central Algoma Land Trust, this project represents significant growth. The amount of land protected by the land trust has increased by 80% to a total of 883 hectares (2,182 acres).
The Paswe Protected Area boasts mature forested habitat, dramatic tall cliffs, and multiple biologically rich wetlands. It features a significant portion of the Upper Echo River, a waterway of deep cultural significance to GRFN, alongside pristine shorelines along Echo Lake and the majority of Fairy Lake. To enhance the aquatic environment, GRFN is leading a large-scale aquatic restoration project with governmental support to improve habitat connectivity, restore native fisheries, and manage invasive species within the Upper Echo River basin.
Ecologically, the property provides confirmed or potential habitat for many species at risk. Documented at-risk fauna include lake sturgeon, peregrine falcon, Canada warbler, and wood thrush. The land also protects black ash stands, a cultural keystone tree species. Even prior to a formal comprehensive inventory, over 400 diverse species of wildlife have already been documented on site.
“This property is a hidden gem. Offering everything from stunning scenic views and recreational opportunities to vital habitat for ecologically and culturally significant species, it truly has something for everyone. Our partnership with Garden River First Nation to protect this land represents an exciting and innovative new chapter for the Central Algoma Land Trust. I am optimistic that the success of this project will serve as a catalyst for future Indigenous-led conservation efforts throughout the region.”
Ensuring the property remains a shared natural asset, the partners have confirmed that sustainable public access will be maintained under the new stewardship model. Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to continue responsibly enjoying the land for low-impact recreation, including hiking along the prominent Voyageur Trail that traverses the property. To balance ecological integrity, cultural protection, and public enjoyment, a detailed management plan will be collaboratively developed in the coming months to establish long-term guidelines for safe usage, trail maintenance, and ongoing oversight of the area.
This landmark acquisition was made possible through funding from Garden River First Nation, the Central Algoma Land Trust, Ontario Nature, the Friends of Central Algoma Land Trust, and the Ontario Conservation Accelerator. While these critical collaborations successfully enabled the purchase, a public fundraising campaign is now underway to raise additional necessary funds. To maximize the impact of community support, the Ontario Conservation Accelerator has launched a matching gift initiative, pledging to match all public donations dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000. Funds donated during this campaign will go directly toward ensuring the long-term protection of the property's vital wildlife habitats and supporting and improving public access. Learn more and donate here.
“We are grateful for the trust and unique opportunity to support the Central Algoma Land Trust in the securement of Paswe Protected Area with the goal of transferring it to Garden River First Nation for permanent stewardship. Securing this property represents an outstanding opportunity to safeguard critical habitat for species at risk, enhance landscape connectivity in the Sault Ste. Marie and Garden River Ecological Corridor, and contribute meaningfully to the long-term conservation of biodiversity in the region.”
We invite community members, local businesses, and conservation supporters to become part of this historic initiative. With the matching gift in place, every dollar contributed right now goes twice as far in securing the future of the Echo Lake Wilderness Property. To make a donation and double your impact today, please visit our official fundraising page here.
