Conservation-Historical Sign
The Dryden District Conservation Club partnered with the Eagle Lake Farabout Peninsula
Coalition to erect a two-sided sign of historical and natural science significance on the portage
path on Eagle Lake between Littleneck Bay and Outlet Bay, close to the mouth of the Eagle
River. The project received funding for supply costs for the twelve by eight foot sign from Zone
A-Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
Close to forty people travelled by water to attend a ceremony and launch of the sign by Eagle
Lake First Nation Chief Arnold Gardner, and Elders Robert Kelly and Leonard Sky on August 25,
2021.
The purpose of the sign is to highlight the historical significance, as well as natural science studies and its documentation, that were carried out over the past thirteen years. The Coalition has been assisted by Eagle Lake First Nation, Thunder Bay Naturalists, and Ontario Nature regarding our ongoing work to protect Farabout Peninsula.
The Farabout sign contains four posters with artwork and photos designed by the Coalition. It was constructed and erected by the Dryden District Conservation Club.
Two of the posters, on one side of the sign, are of Aboriginal importance. The first highlights the historical connection between Farabout Peninsula and Eagle Lake First Nation:
The second poster illustrates some of the 2,000 year old artifacts that were found in the area during an archeological dig (2018 to 2020) conducted by Coalition members while supervised by licensed archaeologist A. H. Gliddon.
The two posters on the other side of the sign highlight the unique ecology of the Peninsula. A total of 334 vascular plants and almost 100 species of birds have been identified by Thunder Bay and local Coalition Naturalists on Farabout.
Farabout Peninsula is of important spiritual and historical significance to Eagle Lake First Nation. The Coalition’s partnership with this First Nation, in addition to support from the Dryden District Conservation Club and Zone A of Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, have resulted in this special sign.
This sign will serve to educate the public about the need to conserve and protect, in the long-term, the remarkable forest of Farabout Peninsula.
We have been given a 10 year moratorium (up to 2031) on any clear-cut logging on the peninsula by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Our efforts will continue until we have permanent protection secured.