Educational Workshops

Swiftwater rescue, river safety and Drowning prevention with Jim Coffey

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85845680206?pwd=MqKmXL3rme3fxab089G9cWafLmfpbM.1

Meeting ID: 858 4568 0206
Passcode: 416372
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Erik Thomsen will present the he Hidden Secrets of the Agawa River presentation. The trip took place in early summer of 2025 with 8 WCA  members.  We started at the head waters of the river and ended in Lake Superior.

His presentation will complement Jeff McColl's presentations on The Group of Seven, who painted in the area.  The presentation will discuss; our route and logistics, indigenous and some logging history, The Group of Seven spots on the route, natural wonders, and the modern train service.

Suggest you read the Nastawgan Spring 2026 article, "The Hidden Secrets of the Agawa River" by Erik Thomsen,  pages 11-21.

https://wildernesscanoe.ca/sites/default/files/storage/Nastawgan/2026-1.pdf

We also post some YouTube videos of the trip.   Check them out too.

Jeff McColl, long time WCA member has explored the Agawa River for many years in summer and winter conditions.   He will present a review of the Group of Seven paintings that were inspired by the river and its canyons.

Jeff's Bio:

• Started to paddle white water in 1968 at 12 years old.
• Met some of the early WCA people at the Ontario Voyagers kayak club before WCA formed in the early 70s
• Competed internationally in WW Kayak in 73 to 82, from 80 to 82 and also competed in C1 and in the mid 80s competed in C2.
• Provincial WW coach from 84 to 95.
• First paddled the Agawa in 85 and fell in love with the river and area.
• I have paddled numerous times in all seasons but prefer the fall.
• Joined WCA in 2008 during the Navigable waters act crisis and became the WCA Conservation Committee Lead 2008 to 2021

Suggest you read the Nastawgan Spring 2026 article, "The Hidden Secrets of the Agawa River" by Erik Thomsen,  pages 11-21.

https://wildernesscanoe.ca/sites/default/files/storage/Nastawgan/2026-1.pdf

Click this Zoom link at 7 pm on March 18, 2026.

Robert James, Lutz Morgenstern, Jean-Claude Lessnick and Cathie Lappan will present the WCA Hood River trip they completed in the summer of 2025.   

Read about it in the Nastawgan 2025 Fall/Winter issue.

https://wildernesscanoe.ca/sites/default/files/storage/Nastawgan/2025-3.pdf

Jeff McColl, long time WCA member has explored the Agawa River for many years in summer and winter conditions.   He will present a review of the Group of Seven paintings that were inspired by the river and its canyons.

Suggest you read the Nastawgan Spring 2026 article, "The Hidden Secrets of the Agawa River" by Erik Thomsen,  pages 11-21.

Jeff McColl, long time WCA member has explored the Agawa River for many years in summer and winter conditions.   He will present a review of the Group of Seven paintings that were inspired by the river and its canyons.

Jeff's Bio:

• Started to paddle white water in 1968 at 12 years old.
• Met some of the early WCA people at the Ontario Voyagers kayak club before WCA formed in the early 70s
• Competed internationally in WW Kayak in 73 to 82, from 80 to 82 and also competed in C1 and in the mid 80s competed in C2.
• Provincial WW coach from 84 to 95.
• First paddled the Agawa in 85 and fell in love with the river and area.
• I have paddled numerous times in all seasons but prefer the fall.
• Joined WCA in 2008 during the Navigable waters act crisis and became the WCA Conservation Committee Lead 2008 to 2021

Suggest you read the Nastawgan Spring 2026 article, "The Hidden Secrets of the Agawa River" by Erik Thomsen,  pages 11-21.

https://wildernesscanoe.ca/sites/default/files/storage/Nastawgan/2026-1.pdf

Canada is a signatory to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, which commits us to the protection of 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030.  These effort is critical to the protection of biodiversity, and as a response to pressures from climate change. With only 11 percent of its lands and waters protected, Ontario is falling well short of the national goal.  Wilderness travelers are particularly aware of the pressures on regional ecosystems and habitats, and on their enduring value.

Join us as we hear from Brittney Vezina, Ontario Nature's Protected Places Coordinator, who has been working to advance protected areas opportunities in Forest Stewardship Council certified forests in collaboration with Indigenous communities, grassroots organizations and industry since 2023. During the webinar, Brittney will share more about her work in northern Ontario, as well as other protected areas opportunities Ontario Nature is working on across the province. You will learn about the current status of protected areas efforts in Ontario, challenges to expanding protected areas in the province, and how we can all work together to urge the provincial government to do more.

Brittney holds an M.Sc. in Conservation Biology from the University of Kent and a B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Guelph. 

Ontario Nature is a charitable organization that has been working to protect wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement since 1931. We represent 9,500 members, 130,000 supporters and 150 member groups from across Ontario. Our vision is to create an Ontario where nature inspires and sustains us for generations to come.

WCA Outing to Minesing Wetlands -- One of Ontario's Protected Places.

Dear WCA Members

Picos da Europa is one of the most pristine national parks located in the north of Spain. With its impressive mountain valleys, it provides a spectacular landscape for mountain lovers.

I have been climbing and hiking in Picos all my life, and it feels like there is so much to explore. 

Laura is a Spanish mountain guide and an incredible person. I was very lucky to connect with her and learn more about the region.

Laura is bringing a new energy to the valley, embracing new backpacking routes and sharing her knowledge with her clients. 

I highly recommend looking into her company website: https://turnatur.es/en/home or instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnatur_trekking/

I was able to invite Laura as a speaker tonight. She is sharing her knowledge about the Picos de Europa hiking trails and traditions.

Event, Thursday 12, 2026. 7pm EST Online Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74501188502?pwd=mAhWb8beWkK4peyNOQQpJxjF1aF61P.1

Welcome Laura to Wilderness Canoe Association & 5 Winds Club

This zoom session will provide an overview of two of Canada’s most recently created national parks, located in the Northwest Territories:  

•    Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve (est. 2012)
•    Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve (est. 2019)

The session will also look at what is involved in extending the scope and number of protected areas, as well as how shared management of protected areas with Indigenous governments has supported effective stewardship of these lands.

The presenter for this session will be Laani Uunila, who is currently the Superintendent of Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve. Laani has worked for Parks Canada for 23 years. She was the first Superintendent for both Nááts’įhch’oh National Park Reserve (2014) and Thaıdene Nëné National Park Reserve (2019). She spent much of her early years sea kayaking, canoeing, and whitewater kayaking in BC, northwestern Ontario, and New Zealand. Laani has paddled all three whitewater rivers in Nááts’įhch’oh, as well as the South Nahanni River in Nahanni National Park Reserve. She currently lives in Yellowknife, NT.

This zoom call will start  at 7pm ET on February 10th, and will run for about an hour.