The Friends was established in 1989 and together with Nipissing Naturalists Club championed a petition with over 2000 signatures to persuade City of North Bay to accept that this land be preserved in its natural state. It is uniquely co-owned and co-managed by NBMCA and a not-for-profit group called Friends of Laurier Woods.
Honoured by North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority Board of Directors.