 | Environmental Policy |
|  | LIVING WITH CHAMPLAIN’S GHOST!
The second I pushed off shore, I knew the Ottawa River was special.
In 1975, with hundreds of islands, secluded beaches and coves to explore, I pioneered this river-riddled with thundering waterfalls, untouched shoreline, and of course, classic whitewater.
From the top of McCoy Chute to the bottom of Rocher-Fendu Lake, the Ottawa was still pristine-still the way French geographer Samuel de Champlain viewed it over three centuries before.
I knew, instantly, it should be kept this way.
Being first on the river enabled Wilderness Tours to establish a resort in the most ecologically appropriate location. True to my belief of no development in the river corridor, we established our Rafters headquarters down on the lake, across from the Portage du Fort paper mill. When it came time to put down personal roots, it was-once again-away from the river’s edge.
And since that morning in 1975, every spare dollar has been placed into the WT Land Trust-protecting shoreline and habitat from development.
In short, WT pioneered the environmental movement on the Ottawa River decades ago. Although we’ve been largely successful, our mandate to protect the entire river is ongoing. To date, WT has saved over 5,000 acres of waterfront, ensuring our children’s children will experience Champlain’s river the way he did-in awe of nature’s artistry.
Your support of Wilderness Tours helps protect this unique and fabulous waterway. If it’s your first time down the mighty Ottawa, enjoy. If you’re coming back for more, you’ll be happy to know things haven’t changed a bit.
With sincere thanks,
Joe Kowalski
Founder | |
| | About Wilderness Tours |
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| |  | | | The Ottawa River is just over 1,000 km long. Of that, only 10 km remain - The "Rocher Fendu". All the rest has been flooded to harness its hydro-electric potential. Surely, we can preserve the last 10 clicks. That is our mission and obsession. We call it "LIVING WITH CHAMPLAIN’S GHOST". | |
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