Lake Michigan-Huron is 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 up 7, 4, 2, 4 & 7 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 2, 8, 6, 6 & 1 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron & Ontario are 4, 6 & 4 inches below their long-term May averages. Lakes St. Clair and Erie are 4 & 5 inches above their long-term May averages, respectively. All the lakes remain well below their May record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are expected to rise by 4 & 3 inches, respectively. Lakes St. Clair and Ontario are expected to fall by 1 i

Premier Ford recently dismissed environmental permitting as “red tape,” which would be troubling on its own. But it’s not just rhetoric. Internal draft documents obtained by CBC News reveal plans to eliminate or radically overhaul all provincial and municipal permitting processes by the end of 2025. This isn’t an isolated move. It’s part of a larger pattern, and it threatens to unravel decades of environmental safeguards. If it proceeds, critical natural areas could be left open to unsustainable development. Permitting isn’t a barrier to growth; it’s the foundation of ecological, economic, and community resilience. It’s essential infrastructure for smart, sustainable development. The government should balance it

In a significant move to address environmental and health concerns, the Canadian government has designated most perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).  This classification gives the government the authority to regulate and potentially ban the use of these “forever chemicals” in various products. PFAS, or “forever chemicals”, are a class of approximately 15,000 synthetic chemicals used to make products that resist water, oil, grease and heat, including makeup, stain-proof furniture, outdoor gear, and firefighting foam. These compounds do not break down in the environment and have been linked to various health issues, including kidney and liver damage, thyroid dise

GBA has joined CELA and over two dozen organizations in signing a letter urging the Ontario Government to take action to protect drinking water in the province. The letter responds to the recent Auditor General's report highlighting significant weaknesses in the provincial government's ability to protect the health of Ontarians who rely on non-municipal drinking water systems.   The report revealed alarming gaps in drinking water protection, including inadequate inspection frequency, non-compliance with testing requirements, and lack of supports for private well owners. The letter calls on the Ontario government to publicly develop and commit to an action plan by the end of 2025, outlining specific timelines and processes for implementing the Auditor General's 17

Emergency Preparedness Week runs from May 4 to 10, 2025, and it's a crucial reminder that emergencies can strike anywhere, anytime. This year's theme "Plan for every season", highlights the importance of preparing for emergencies throughout the year, not just during extreme weather events. From infectious diseases to extreme weather events like flooding and forest fires, being prepared is key to keeping you and your loved ones safe. Three simple steps to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies Know the risks - understand potential emergencies that could affect your area Make a plan - develop a household emergency plan that includes contact information, escape routes, and a meeting point Have an emergency kit - stock up on essentials like food, wa

Lake Michigan-Huron remains 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 up 6, 4, 4, 5 & 6 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 3, 7, 9, 9 & 4 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron & Ontario are 6, 7 & 7 inches below their long-term May averages. Lakes St. Clair and Erie are 0 & 2 inches above their long-term May averages, respectively. All the lakes remain well below their May record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are expected to rise by 4, 3, 2, 1 & 5 inches, respectively. &nbs

2024 Ontario Wildfire Statistics: We were fortunate. In 2024, the wildfire season started lowly with a wet spring and summer. Ontario saw a total of 480 wildland fires affecting 89,841 hectares across the province, which was well below the previous year and the ten-year average. In comparison, 2023 saw 741 wildland fires that affected 441,474 hectares across the province. The ten-year average is 694 wildland fires and 201,781 hectares affected.  Regional breakdown: Statistical differences between the Northeast Region and Northwest Region in 2024:  Total number of wildland fires by region Northwest Region - 218 fires,  Northeast Region - 261 fires Total hectares burned by region Northwest Region – 69,938 hectares Northeast Region – 19

Residents of Midland, Parry Sound, Britt, and surrounding Georgian Bay communities can expect increased activity involving Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) helicopters and watercraft over the next few weeks. The CCG will be conducting essential search and rescue training exercises across the bay between April 25th and May 12th, 2025. - This training is part of the CCG's Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) program, which prepares post-secondary students to respond to marine emergencies during the busy summer boating season. The exercises will involve up to ten CCG Zodiac Fast Rescue Crafts and helicopters operating during both day and night hours. - The Coast Guard has assured the public that there is no real emergency or danger. This training is crucial for certifying and preparing students to effe

What are sea lampreys and why are they problematic? Sea lampreys are an ancient form of a jawless fish with a toothed, funnel like mouth, that suck blood out of fish. They entered the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway. During the 50’s, Lake Huron’s commercial fishing industry was verging on collapse. In particular, one of the most valued species, Lake Trout, a favorite sea lamprey meal, was nearing extinction. The good news is Lake Huron’s sea lamprey population (once the largest in the Great Lakes with over 700,000 in the 1940’s and 1950’s) has been declining. For example, in 2015 the population fell to 70,000, well below the target of 90,000 set by the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission (GLFC), established in 1954 to oversee a Great Lakes sea lamprey control

The message from traditional Indigenous teachings is that catch and release is disrespectful to the fish (it can also harm their ability to eat properly after they are released) and one should only fish respectfully, which includes eating the fish we catch. Now it seems there is another reason to question this practice. Some bass are smarter than we might think, learn to avoid lures and can pass that knowledge down through the generations! Who knew! - Read more here. -

What’s your name and what’s your connection to Georgian Bay? Sheila Williams and I (Celesta Bjornson) are the co-presidents of the Bay of Islands Association (BICA) and have been enjoying our summers in the Bay of Islands since we were toddlers. My family is from Pittsburgh and we originally found the Bay of Islands in the 1950s by vacationing at a fishing lodge called Moredolpton Lodge. Sheila's family is one of the founding families of the Bay of Islands. Her grandfather discovered the Bay of Islands in early 1900s while working on the lakers, travelling from southern Georgian Bay to the North Channel, transporting lumber back south. He fell in love with the area and purchased an island around 1924 and began building a cottage. Why is being a Guardian of the Bay important to yo

Luc Voorn is a cottager in the South Channel and a passionate advocate for Georgian Bay. He currently serves as the Membership Chairperson for the South Channel Association (SCA), Editor of the SCA “On the Waterfront” newsletter, and as Director, Friends of the Massasauga Park. This past summer (2019), he was nominated as a Guardian of Georgian Bay for his ongoing enthusiasm and efforts to protect and preserve the Bay. Note from Jamie Drayton, GBA Chair of Guardians of Georgian Bay Committee My Dad used to take us camping. His lure to get us to bathe was to promise us ice cream if we ran into the water first thing in the morning for a swim. I recall the water being absolutely freezing at 7 o’clock in the morning… I don’t recall ever getting any ice cream. A few years l

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