Our Path Forward: Recovery & Renewal

Documenting the impact, honouring our community, and sharing each step as we heal, rebuild, and grow.

A Message from the Canadian Ecology Centre

On the night of June 21—Summer Solstice—the Canadian Ecology Centre and Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park were struck by a devastating EF2 downburst, with winds reaching 200 km/h. Tornado-strength gusts tore through our landscape, leveling trees, damaging cabins and infrastructure, and forcing us to close. For the first time in our 27-year history, our trails are quiet and our classrooms empty.

Recovery and Reopening

We are making progress. Fallen trees and debris have been removed from the main site, repairs on the cabins are nearing completion, and hydro has been restored. The park will remain closed to the public, as restoration work throughout the park continues during the winter months. Ontario Parks looks forward to welcoming visitors back when it is safe to do so. A phased reopening is being considered with an anticipated implementation of Spring 2026. The CEC will work with the Park  towards a reopening then.

A Critical Moment

The Canadian Ecology Centre is an independent non-profit organization. We are not a government agency and receive no operational funding. Our operations are sustained entirely through program fees, facility rentals, and events. Since our forced closure, we have not been able to generate any revenue, creating a serious financial gap. We are in survival mode as we work to bridge the gap until reopening.

Your Support Matters

Your donation today will help us:
🌲 Sustain operations through this critical period.
📚 Ensure our education programs return strong in 2026.
💚 Keep the CEC alive and thriving for future generations.

The Canadian Ecology Centre is more than a place—it’s a purpose. It’s where thousands of students discover the outdoors, where families create lasting memories, and where our community connects with the forest.

This is a pivotal moment. With your support, we can bridge the gap, rebuild stronger, and continue to inspire future generations.

Please click the donate button below to help us through this critical period.

With heartfelt thanks,
The Team at the Canadian Ecology Centre

MAKE A DONATION

It is not what the Park and the CEC was… it is now what the Park and the CEC will become…

A message from our General Manager, Back Road Bill Steer

Sasquatch Sam made it through and so will we, because the “will” is there. For your memories and the future.

“It is not what the Park and the CEC was…it is now what the Park and the CEC will become…”  A new mantra for us…embrace it and SHARE.

And as an update. “The Park is closed, the CEC is closed.  It is an unsafe environment that has to be mitigated.  Thanks to all that have sent messages and want to help.  The Park and the CEC has to become safe-er. Keep abreast of everything on social media posts and the CEC website.”

There’s no denial.  The Park was flattened, the CEC damaged.

Yes, grieving.

“We endeavour to persevere,” a wise person reminded me.

It will be like starting over…there will be a transitional ecosystem.

Thanks to the hundreds and hundreds of well-wishers…am responding as I can and will.

Lots of details with insurance and adjusters etc..short term planning.  Reach out to Laura and Coral…via text or email.  We have not been answering or checking the phone messages.

Yes we will have a fund raising project and yes volunteers will be welcomed, eventually, to help as you have asked.

Onward.  See again the first paragraph.

Back Roads Bill

The Cleanup...

Photos of the clean up efforts from the CEC and park 

Lower fire pit

Between cabins 19/20 and 21/22

Clean up behind cabins 1-12

The new view from cabin 5/6

Log pile along CEC road

Just over the bailey bridge, the FRP was on the right

The CEC cabins from the park road

The CEC cabins from the park road

The FRP trail

Bill Steer surveying the progress

Altered landscape

Log pile on main road with Babawasse behind

Walking up to the CEC from Campion

Main park road on the way to the bridge

Cabins 21/22

Cabin 11/12

Behind cabin 1/2 and 3/4

Behind cabins 1/2 and 3/4

looking over to cabins 31/32 from 29/30

Looking to cabins 29/30 from 31/32

Damage to cabin 23/24

Cabin 29/30

Dining cabin

Stories from Back Roads Bill

The Forest of Tomorrow: Storm reshapes Ontario park as experts predict forest’s future

The clean-up has begun… 

Read full story

The Sculpture and the Storm… Nature reclaims Nbiising as storm follows emotional farewell

‘In an emotional gathering marked by rain and reverence, community members bid farewell to the controversial yet historic Nbiising statue. Days later, fallen trees covered its resting place‘ 

Read full story

The Storm… Storm flattens forest, crushes vehicles at Canadian Ecology Centre

‘It was 9:12 p.m., June 21, 2025, when I found myself on my knees down on the hardwood floors of Cabin #35, with my hands cupped over my head,’ 

Read full story

Photos from the CEC and surrounding area

A 15 minute walking tour with our Programs Manager, Coral Bissett, along the cabin road on the evening of June 23, 2025.

“Cleanup begins at downburst-hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park” – Link to June 27, 2025 CBC News story and video.

Our drive from the turn off from the main park road heading towards the CEC and Long Lake on the evening of June 23, 2025.

The new view from cabin 5/6

Aerial footage from Jing Campground

Time lapse of satellite imagery of Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park & CEC June 6, 2024 – September 19, 2025