Lake Michigan-Huron is now 8 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 2, 4, 6, 4 & 6 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 7, 8, 3, 2 & 2 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes St Clair & Erie are 6 and 7 inches, respectively, above their long-term November averages, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron & Ontario are 8, 4 & 5 inches below, respectively. All the lakes remain well below their November record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are expected to fall by 2, 

GBA has an opening for a Project Coordinator to support our Vision 2050 project. We are offering a six-month, part-time contract position that requires a commitment of 15-20 hours per week. This is a vital role that offers the opportunity to actively participate in a major, forward-looking initiative that aims to protect Georgian Bay’s eastern and northern coasts for generations to come. The project coordinator will be working with the Vision 2050 Steering Committee, comprised of a senior team of experts and seasoned GBA volunteers. You will also liaise with other Georgian Bay partner organizations and stakeholders. Responsibilities include supporting the project's management and organization, participating in and organizing project meetings, developing communications material

A retired nurse and her husband have come forward alleging they are out $168,000 after paying LOTB (Live On The Bay), a Port Severn company, for a floating home that was never delivered. The couple claim they entered into a contract with LOTB in 2022 and that despite repeated promises, their float home was never built, and they have yet to receive a refund. LOTB's website showcases various float home models and claims its homes comply with all municipal, provincial, and federal laws. However recent regulatory changes have restricted mooring on public lands, lake beds, and Parks Canada managed waterways. GBA and the Floating Homes not Vessels Coalition have been actively advocating for the need for proper regulation of floating homes to address the safety and e

Lake Michigan-Huron is now 8 inches below its level at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 4, 7, 11, 6 & 9 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 7, 8, 7, 4 & 4 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes St Clair & Erie are 5 and 8 inches, respectively, above their long-term November averages, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron & Ontario are 6, 2 & 2 inches below, respectively. All the lakes remain well below their November record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are expected to fall�

There's nothing is cozier than a crackling fire on a chilly night. Wood stoves are a great source of supplemental heat and are generally more efficient at producing heat than a fireplace. But warm and cozy can turn dangerous if your wood-burning unit is not properly installed or regularly maintained. Do Keep children and pets away when you are burning and keep anything combustible at least 3 feet away from the stove. Test to be sure your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are in working condition. Both types of alarm should be located outside each sleeping area and on every level. Also keep a working fire extinguisher in an accessible location. Before lighting, open the damper to allow for good airflow and keep the damper open until the fire is out and the ashes are cool

Lake Michigan-Huron is now 7 inches below its level at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario & are down 4, 7, 7, 5 & 9 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 8, 7, 4, 3 & 3 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes St Clair & Erie are 4 and 7 inches, respectively, above their long-term October averages, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron and Ontario are 8, 4 & 4 inches below, respectively. All the lakes remain well below their October record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are expected to fall

With winter coming we all want to protect our properties as best we can. If you use or are considering installing a bubbler to prevent ice damage, there are some important issues to consider. Bubblers are a type of de-icing system that prevents ice from forming around waterfront structures by creating zones of agitated and warmer water. Without careful planning, management, and consideration of the nature of your waterfront area, your bubbler can de-ice a significantly larger portion of the water than is necessary to protect your property creating large areas of open water. Legal Implications There is no law against using a bubbler, but Section 263 (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada (Duty to safeguard opening in ice) is very clear that those who make or cause to be made an o

 The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Central Region reported a staggering 6,066 wildlife-related collisions between 2021 and 2023, most of which occurred from October to December. Deer account for 85.5% of these incidents, primarily due to mating season and food searches. To mitigate risks, drivers are urged to: Reduce speed, especially at dawn and dusk Watch for signs indicating high animal populations Use high beams wisely on empty roads Look for reflections from headlights Brake firmly, avoiding swerving Stay sober, alert, undistracted, and seat-belted If you spot wildlife near the road, slow down, honk your horn to alert the animal and other drivers. OPP Statistics: 2021: 1,820 in

Boating from October through June offers a very different experience steeped in solitude and excellent fishing. It is a beautiful time to be on the water. But boating during this season also requires extra attention to detail and the ability to be self-sufficient given that there are fewer boaters around should you require assistance. Here are some helpful tips from the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters to make off-season boating safer for you. Check the weather forecast. The weather can change quickly and storms can be more violent. Fog is also more common. Ensure that your boat and engine are in good working order. Ethanol-based fuel can allow water contamination in the tank. The use of a fuel additive prevents water in the f

As nominated by Heather Sargeant  My Phragbuster Hero About 5 or 6 years ago, at an event jointly put on by the Georgian Bay Association, Georgian Bay Forever, and featuring Dr. Gilbert, an ecologist with Phragmites expertise , I first learned about invasive Phragmites and the harm it can have on wetlands. I decided to investigate if Phragmites was a threat in Woods Bay (my favourite area of Georgian Bay), and that’s when my journey tackling this plant began.  I wasn’t sure if a plant across from the family cottage was indeed the invasive type, and so I was nervous and queasy about leading people to help me cut it.  What if it was the native plant, and I’d taken all these people out to cut down something benign? One of my neighbors told me there was a hero on Georgian

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is asking motorists to look out for vulnerable turtles on our roadways. Road surfaces provide an attractive source of warmth for these cold-blooded reptiles, particularly in the spring and early summer. During this time, turtles are mating and nesting; in late summer and early fall, newly hatched turtles are travelling from their nests to nearby wetlands. The Nature Conservatory of Canada has an informative video and tips for safely moving turtles. Watch the video and read the tips here.

Here are some things to think about around Fire Safety at the cottage: Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are present and working. Have a list of local emergency numbers posted for all to see. Include all pertinent cottage location information.   Have the right fire extinguishers in the right places. Have an individual fire plan for evacuation. Make sure your plan has two escape routes. Respect local fire ratings. Have a fire pump and use it regularly to ensure it is in good working order. At the very least have a list of neighbours to call for assistance. Follow your association’s emergency plan if it exists. Make sure you have insurance. Make sure you understand what it covers and that it is adequate to rebuild and covers contents AND fire de

The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario has just released a useful guide on how to how we can all reduce our environmental footprints. Being a Guardian of the Bay also means doing what we can to reduce our individual consumption of carbon based fuels. - Here is a very good fact sheet and here is a full presentation on this topic. -

What’s your name and what’s your connection to Georgian Bay? Cory Kozmik, Anthony Laforge, Samantha Noganosh, Chevaun Toulouse. We are the Lands and Resource Department for Magnetawan First Nation, in Britt, Ontario. - Source: Magnetawan First Nation Our connection to the Bay is the dense biodiversity that it hosts and the role its ecology plays in our lives, including the environment. It is also where ancestors of the Anishinabek Nation walked and practiced each day what it means to live with the land in reciprocity. The connection to the land and water is sacred to the Anishinaabe culture, and held very close to the communities that inhabit the area. - Why is being a Guardian of the Bay important to you? We take great pride in being “Guardians” because it is our