Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in southeastern Ontario, Canada

Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve is a protected area spanning forests, wetlands, and lakes that connects two major mountain regions and natural areas. The landscape contains multiple forest types interspersed with water bodies, creating varied habitats across the terrain.

Archaeological evidence shows that people inhabited this region around 7000 years ago, using it as hunting grounds for survival and sustenance. Early cultures left behind traces that reveal how communities adapted to these landscapes over millennia.

First Nations call the granite ridge the "backbone of the mother". The reserve is run by the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network, a not-for-profit with over 100 regional partners. Its core area covers 5,073 hectares within a buffer of 15,900 hectares and a transition zone of 200,000 hectares.

The area features multiple trails and water activities available throughout the year for different skill levels. An interactive map helps you navigate the landscape and locate nearby sustainable businesses and services.

The Frontenac Arch is an ancient granite ridge running from Algonquin Park to the Adirondacks, crossing the St. Lawrence at the Thousand Islands. First Nations call it the "backbone of the mother". Its rocky promontories in the river form the Thousand Islands, and the ridge acts as a land bridge linking northern and southern habitats.