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

Georgian Bay has lost a wonderful friend with the passing of Roy Schatz on September 30. Starting in the 1970's Roy was president of the Pointe au Baril Islanders’ Association and over the next 50 years we all benefitted from his wisdom and tireless energy helping to protect and preserve our beloved Georgian Bay. Roy was named GBA’s sixth Honorary Life Member for his 10+ years of outstanding service, including serving as secretary, chair of GBA’s Township of the Archipelago liaison committee and two years as president. Roy also founded and then led the GBA Foundation (now Georgian Bay Forever), a charity dedicated to scientific research and public education on Georgian Bay's aquatic ecosystem. More recently he served as vice chair of Georgian Bay Great Lakes Foundation. Roy’

This month outflows from Lake Superior into the St. Mary’s River are predicted to be below average, not above average as they have been for almost 3 years prior to the spring of 2021. This shows that, under Plan 2012 balancing, the flow into Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be reduced. Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be below the level it was at this time last year – see first graph below. All the lakes are now lower than they were at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie and Ontario are down 1, 4, 2, 4 & 2 inches respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario, are lower by 11, 16, 4, 4 & 0 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Michigan

GBA has been working with the Canadian Environmental Law Association, Environmental Defense and others to oppose the gutting of environmental protections by the Ford government. Earlier this month the Ontario courts ruled that the Ontario government’s Minister’s Zoning Order practices broke the law, see here. - Now the MZO on the Mobility Orbit project in Innisfil has been overturned, see here. -

Wetlands are a vital part of the Great Lakes ecosystem protecting shorelines and providing habitats for our plants and animals. A binational group of agencies, organizations and universities has been developing a method of tracking the health of Great Lakes wetlands from space. This effort is designed to help aid wetland managers as they work to protect and restore these vital pieces of habitat for aquatic life. Additionally, monitoring from space is far less costly than field monitoring, experts say. Read about the technology and partners here, and an IJC report on progress here. -

There is still time to register for Canadian Safe Boating Council Virtual Symposium October 1, 2021 – Welcome to new boaters: how can we help? This FREE Virtual Symposium is from 12.30 – 3.45 EDT on October 1, 2021. With the theme Welcome to new boaters: how can we help? explore with us some of the boating safety issues that arise as we welcome new boaters to our community – and favourite activity. One key part of the program will be an industry panel featuring: Patrick Hardy, Vice President, Nautisme Quebec Bruce Haynes, Executive Director, Boating B.C. and Rick Layzell, CEO, Boating Ontario. Hear from these key experts about the work the recreational boating industry is doing to welcome and support new boaters. Get more details and Register here.

This month outflows from Lake Superior into the St. Mary’s River are predicted to be below average, not above average as they have been for almost 3 years prior to the spring of 2021. This shows that, under Plan 2012 balancing, the flow into Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be reduced. Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be below the level it was at this time last year – see first graph below. All the lakes are now lower than they were at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, Erie and Ontario are down 0, 2, 3 & 3  inches respectively, and Lake St Clair is up 3 inches. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario, are lower by 10, 14, 2, 3 & 0 inches, respectively, than they were at this time la

We all want to protect our properties as best we can over the long winter, but if you use or are considering installing a bubbler to prevent ice damage, there are some import issues to consider. Bubblers are a type of de-icing system that prevent 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 openin

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

My name is Eileen Maynard;   I am 10 years old and the eldest of the 5th generation in my family at our cottage in Cognashene, part of the Georgian Bay Archipelago. Georgian Bay is so special to me. It is where I spend my summers and any weekend we can get free of our crazy life in the city. In the summer you can go swimming and tubing or out to islands for picnics. In the fall, it is so pretty with all of the colorful leaves and trees and a great time to go for a walk on Beausoleil Island. Being a Guardian of the Bay is important to me because Georgian Bay is vital to us and the animals around us. Being a Guardian of the Bay is a responsibility that we all have for keeping it healthy for the next 5 generations. Last year, with my grandfather, I applied for and was accepted as a vo

Sticking it to Garbage Along the Shoreline What’s your name and what’s your connection to Georgian Bay? My name’s Chloe Drayton and I’ve been going to Georgian Bay with my family since I was born - I’m only 7! It’s a nice, peaceful place and it’s nice to go swimming, look for turtles, go exploring on the rocks along the shore and spend time with my family. - Why is being a Guardian of the Bay important to you? Because I want to help all the animals and plants in nature and because it’s nicer to enjoy the cottage when there isn’t garbage lying around. I also want to enjoy Georgian Bay for a long, long time so we have to keep it nice and clean. - What’s your story that helps to show your Guardian of the Bay  values? Every year we walk around the shoreline of ou