On June 5, 2025, approximately 65 forest community minded folks gathered in Sault Ste Marie to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of MNR Millennium Forest there, in the year 2000. This forest is a small representation of the Boreal and Great Lakes St Lawrence forests, now growing in an urban setting. It is located at the Roberta Bondar Building which is the corporate office for Ministry of Natural Resources Forestry staff.
The Millennium Forest project was the idea of Peter Gagnon, a longtime employee of MNR. He thought it appropriate that a portion of the original grass lawns in front of the Bondar Building be transformed into a forested area representing the Crown land forests managed by the MNR. With his background and experience in forest management he researched other work done to transform a lawn into a representation of forest landscape. With the help of many volunteers Peter’s concept put down roots and after 25 years, it thrives as mini ecosystem typical of Boreal and Great Lakes St Lawrence Forests, so important in Ontario.
Bill Thornton, former Deputy Minister of MNR and Director of the Provincial Forest Management Branch at the time, noted in his remarks the appropriateness of community members and organizations coming together here, to support the celebration on World Environment Day. He also spoke about the turn of the millennium as a time of some excitement, in celebrating such a rare milestone along with perhaps growing uncertainty about what the future might hold, especially with respect to the long-term well-being of the planet. The focus of those working in forest management and all those interested in the many values the forest brings to us all was then and continues to be, long term sustainability. Pausing for even a short time to recognize the effort that was put into establishing this landscape and the value it brings to the site today is confirmation of the commitment all of us should continue to carry forward.
The idea for an anniversary celebration was put forward by CIF and FHO member Frank Kennedy and he along with committee members from MNR, CIF NEOS and FHO, including Megan Smith, who chaired the group, Adrianna Pacitto, Eric Wainio, Bill Thornton, Peter Gagnon and Fraser Dunn, organized the event.
Many other partners joined in and supported the project work in 2000. They include Sault Ste Marie Golf and Country Club, Algoma Forest Coalition, Avery Construction, RM Moore Public School, Sault Ste Marie Airport Corporation, Clean North, Ontario Reality Corporation and Towland Hewitson. Their efforts were fundamental to the project’s success.
Today, FHO is pleased to have participated in the ceremony to recognize the SSM Millennium Forest which presents an important reminder of the prominence and importance of forest resources in Ontario and at the same time provides, pleasant and valuable urban green space for people to visit and enjoy.
