Twenty years ago, Frank Dottori, then President and CEO of Tembec believed in the creation of the Canadian Ecology Centre, an environmental education facility where people could go and learn about the environment in a natural setting.
“Initially I was a believer in this because I’m a strong supporter of the environment and forestry, so this was a way for us to provide better education, to educate people about the environment, about forestry. So, it came as part of our business and philosophy to do this,” explained Dottori.
The CEC celebrated its 20th anniversary with a celebration at the Mattawa ecology centre, with local dignitaries and friends who helped make the dream a reality.
Dottori was recognized for Tembec’s $1 million contribution toward the creation of the CEC, which was in addition to funding made available through the federal and provincial governments, represented at that time by MP Bob Wood and Ontario Premier Mike Harris.
Harris, who was unable to attend the 20th anniversary celebration of the CEC Friday, sent a congratulatory letter thanking all those involved in the project from the ground up.
Two decades later, the CEC continues to flourish hosting students and teachers from across the province, predominately from southern Ontario.
“This is beyond our expectations originally. We looked at it more at the time as a training centre, a school for environmental teaching, showing people the real value of forests and sustainability. I’m really delighted to see it evolve today,” said Dotorri.
In recognition for his contributions, the building formerly known as Birch, has been renamed “Frank’s” in Dottori’s honour.
“It came as a bit of a surprise, but obviously it is a feel-good event and I think a lot of people did more than I did,” said Dottori who chose the name from three options.
“It is just more anonymous in a way. It is more of a subject of conversation. I didn’t particularly like my full name on there. I thought this was more unique and probably more interesting because regardless of whether people know who it is or not, it is subject of conversation,” he grinned.
Bill Steer who is the general manager and headmaster of the Canadian Ecology Centre is credited with coming up with the concept of an ecology centre in Mattawa.
His inspiration came during a ride to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park in Mattawa back in 1995.
“I rode in on my steel frame mountain bike and taught an environmental science credit for the Near North District School Board, and the idea came to me,” said Steer.
“I went to the Mattawa and Area Forestry Committee for Economic Development and brought forth the concept and a lot of good people came along like Frank Dottori.”
Over the next few years, the focus was on securing government and private sector funding, about $7 million.
“It is all right to have a good idea, but you need people of action around you. Frank Dottori brought forward cash and product as in wood fibre, as in wood and these beautiful parallel beams that are all around us,” said Steer.
“He really complimented that money from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and FedNor. He has been described as a catalyst many times in Northern Ontario as a forestry icon, but certainly here at the Canadian Ecology Centre he believed in the learning centre concept for sustainable forestry.”
John Pineau, a member of the CEC board of directors thanked Dottori for his support through the years, especially during the lean times.
“It was Frank that put that money on the table along with all the other organizations public and private that really got this place built and established,” said Pineau.
“There were some times in the early stages where we really struggled and it was tough to make payroll or pay the gas bills and Frank was there and bailed us out and kept us going. And now we’re sustainable and we’re doing great things and there are lots and lots of people here, lots of kids. There’s nothing I enjoy more than the deafening sound of kids running around experiencing nature.”
The CEC has physically branched out of the past two decades to better accommodate its year-round programs and events.
“We started the 38 cabins, and the building we named after Frank, then the main building, the observatory, another building AANIIN and on it goes,” said Steer.
“As an environmental education learning centre, we’ve really reached out to schools, colleges, and universities from near and far. We bring people into Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. Participant students are here with nature. They’re getting a good dose of vitamin ‘N’ for nature,” said Steer who noted there is still more work to be done in environmental education.
“As a society, we do have to embrace the environment. We have to reduce our consumptive lifestyle. We have a premise here at the Canadian Ecology Centre called ‘MADE’ Make A Difference Environmentally. At the end of the day can we all say we’ve made a difference environmentally? “
