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

Lake Michigan-Huron is now 6 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 5, 6, 5, 4 & 8 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 8, 6, 3, 2 & 3 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes St Clair & Erie are 7 and 9 inches, respectively, above their long-term October averages, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron and Ontario are 8, 3 & 2 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 by 2, 3, 6, 5 & 5 inches, respectively.

The Government of Canada has taken a significant step towards safeguarding the country's freshwater resources with the official launch of the standalone Canada Water Agency. This new agency falls under the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (ECCC) and aims to improve freshwater management. The agency will work collaboratively with provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders to address pressing water challenges, including climate change, flooding, and water quality. Key objectives of the Canada Water Agency include: Enhancing water management and governance Supporting climate resilience and adaptation Protecting and promoting water quality Fostering collaborative decision-making The agency's launch demonstrates Canada's comm

Lake Michigan-Huron is now 5 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 3, 5, 6, 5 & 6 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 8, 5, 2, 4 & 3 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 7, 9, & 1 inches, respectively, above their long-term October average, and Lakes Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron are 5 and 1 inch 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 by 2, 3,

Lake Michigan-Huron is now 3 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 3, 4, 4, 4 & 5 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 7, 3, 1, 3 & 1 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 2, 11, 11 & 3 inches, respectively, above their long-term October average, and Lakes Superior is 5 inches below. 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 by 2, 3, 7, 5 & 6 inches, respectively

Pancake Island on Georgian Bay is a picturesque destination for boating, swimming, and fishing, but the public docks were damaged back in 2019 making it harder for visitors to access and enjoy the island. The West Carling Association (WCA) has been working to have damaged docks at the Pancake Island picnic site replaced. Despite initial setbacks, there is now hope that the project can move forward. The final hurdle is to obtain a Land Use Permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). Many voices can make a difference, so if you'd like to see the Pancake Island public docks rebuilt, consider sending an email in support to the Honourable Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and MPP Parry Sound-Muskoka, using our DoGooder site here. It only tak

Boating from October through June can offer a very different experience steeped in solitude and excellent fishing. It is a beautiful time to be on the water. But boating during this cold water season also requires extra attention to detail and the ability to be self-sufficient given that there are fewer boaters on the water 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. Dress for the water temperature rather than the air temperature this can help slow the progression of hypothermia should you find yourself in the water Check the weather forecast before heading out small open boats are especially vulnerable to sudden

After many years of tireless service, Rupert Kindersley is hanging up his hat as Executive Director of the Georgian Bay Association. Rupert joined the GBA board in 2008, serving until 2018 when he took on the role of Executive Director. For the past six years, Rupert has been the heartbeat of our organization, driving our mission to protect and preserve Georgian Bay. We're grateful for his dedication, passion, and leadership and wish him well as he steps into retirement. Rupert will continue to act in an advisory role to help ensure a seamless transition. The GBA Board is pleased to announce that Allison Needham has agreed to step into the role of Interim Executive Director. Allison is a lifelong cottager on Georgian Bay and has served on the GBA Board and as editor of our UPDATE newsle

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