Continues on page 2 I N S I D E Spring 2025 • Vol. 35 No. 1 2024 Champions Of The Bay Association Winners 4 Presidents’ Forum 11 PM # 40038178 Your Voice on the Bay GBANews and Information from the Georgian Bay Association UPDATE 1 Champion Of The Bay 2024 Kathryn Davis, Honey Harbour Association Kathryn Davis’s initial concern for an aggressive weed on her beach led her to become Honey Harbour’s tireless leader in eradicating phragmites. Kathryn was instrumental in educating her community on the danger of invasive phragmites and spent many summers going dock-to-dock to raise awareness and hours in the water cutting phragmites. Her efforts to help develop a student ambassador program with Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) helped structure the way we manage phragmites throughout Georgian Bay. How did you first get started tackling invasive phragmites? We have a lovely little beach and in 2010, I started to notice this weed that just kept getting bigger and bigger. I cut it down and tried to pull it out and it just kept growing back stronger. At a Cottage Life Show, I went to the Parks Canada booth and they were able to identify the weed as phragmites, an invasive aquatic reed. In 2014, I ran into Colin Dobell and he was the first person that taught me about phragmites. I joined him on his first cut in Honey Harbour with GBF. As I became increasingly aware of the potential impact of phragmites, a friend of mine who was on the board of the Honey Harbour Association recommended I get involved and join the board. I started small and initially received board approval for $100 for the first year to purchase hand cutters and some brown garbage By Katherine Denune, Chair, Guardians of the Bay Committee bags. There is a main channel that many of us go through that had a large stand of phragmites that was expanding. I decided to start there. I reached out to neighbours, spoke at our association meetings and sent out a couple of bulletins to round up a bunch of volunteers. David Sweetnam, from GBF, came to our first cut and showed us how to properly cut below the water. This first community cut was in 2015. From there our eradication efforts just blossomed. Together, we came up with the idea of starting a summer student ambassador Sense of Place 7 Honourary Life Memberships 8 President’s Report 10 New Project Coordinator for Vision 2050 12 Celebrating Bill Lougheed’s Conservation Legacy 13 Upcoming Events 14
2 GBA UPDATE • Spring 2025 program focused on education. People would recognize that they had these weeds but nobody really knew what they were or how invasive they were. How did your efforts evolve over time? In 2016, in collaboration with Georgian Bay Forever, we hired our first two summer students. During this first year, in addition to cutting, we focused heavily on mapping, education and developing a plan to prioritize and identify the large stands of phragmites that needed extra help. By 2017, we had two summer students working in the Honey Harbour area, GBF had six students working across Georgian Bay and we had developed partnerships with the Township of Georgian Bay and more local businesses. Additionally, we received financial support from the Honey Harbour Association and the Federation of Ontario Cottagers (FOCA). Our yearly progression looked like this: W 4 patches treated in 2015 W 40 patches treated in 2016 W 71 patches treated in 2017 W 40,000 kg of phragmites removed from Honey Harbour and 23% of the sites eradicated by 2018 What do you think helped contribute to your success? During the first two years, in particular, I was out there in waders cutting and bagging, working really hard, so I think people saw that I wasn’t just talking, I was actively working and I think that really helped grow support. What made you want to remove phragmites beyond your own property? I already had the experience with it on my property and understood first-hand how bad the situation could become if we didn’t do something about it. It’s not enough just to do your own property because if it’s across the channel and the seeds are flying over to your house, it’s coming back! What were some of your most meaningful experiences from this work? Probably the community engagement. I received great support from the community and was so lucky to have such a supportive board. I remember one time I was getting in the boat to go to a community cut and I saw a woman waving at me from across the channel. I thought oh, she’s just saying hi. I went over and she was with her daughter-in-law and she said well, of course we’re coming! I had no clue they were even contemplating it. So yes, the community engagement and bringing people together for a common goal. Is there anyone you would like to thank? I would like to say a special thanks to Colin Dobell for his inspiration and wealth of information, the Honey Harbour Association board formerly led by Mayor Peter Koetsier and the team at GBF as we navigated the journey together. I received so much support from GBF, they were happy and willing to help and educate. David Sweetnam and Heather Sargeant were both amazing. That was my resource, they gave me the scientific backing. Kathryn and Glen Davis Continued from page 1 Photo: David Sweetnam
Spring 2025 • GBA UPDATE 3 As the chair of the Champions of the Bay Committee, I am very happy to speak for our committee in sharing how excited we are to have such a wonderful slate of Champions for our first year. These outstanding community volunteers engage in a varieties of initiatives, from phragmites management to major shoreline clean-ups to placement of osprey nest platforms. We hope you are inspired by their stories and consider what might be possible in your area of the Bay. About the Award The Champion of the Bay Award recognizes and honours outstanding community volunteers who actively steward the Georgian Bay in a manner that promotes environmental wellbeing. Champions are people who reach beyond their cottage or family and positively impact the Bay, whether writing nature articles for their association newsletter or caring for birdhouses. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to nominate someone they know for the award. Each association reviews their nominees and selects their own Association Champion of the Bay. These Association Champions then become eligible for the overall Champion of the Bay award determined by GBA’s Champion of the Bay committee. CHAMPION OF THE BAY AWARD By Katherine Denune, Chair, Guardians of the Bay Committee The Inaugural Champion of the Bay Award Nominate Someone you Know Have you thought of someone who should be recognized? Please scan the QR code to visit our webpage and make a nomination for 2025! All of our amazing community Champions once started small. We welcome nominations of youth, adults and those who may be just starting to be involved with environmental initiatives. We look forward to sharing their stories.
4 GBA UPDATE • Spring 2025 Bay Of Islands Community Association Celesta Bjornson & Sheila Williams In 2017, Sheila Williams and Celesta Bjornson conceived the “Love Your Bay Day” initiative. This initiative began as a monumental shoreline clean-up effort and has taken root as an ongoing environmental stewardship program in the Bay of Islands community. In Celesta’s words, “Due to our community’s location at the far eastern end of the North Channel and the prevailing west winds, our Bay collects garbage, mostly in the form of Styrofoam, derelict docks and plastic in our west-facing bays.” Sheila and Celesta applied for and received a grant from the Great Lakes Guardian Trust to help pay for a collection bin on the Whitefish River First Nation mainland for easy collection. Love Your Bay Day continues to be an ongoing stewardship day in the Bay of Islands and has since spread to many associations in the GBA. Blackstone Lake Cottagers Association In Memoriam - Carolyn Rymell Over the course of 30 years, Carolyn Rymell served as a BLCA president, a GBA director, a Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT) director and a volunteer steward for GBLT’s Oldfield Lake Reserve, a record that is not likely to be surpassed. – Rob Moos Carolyn’s passion and dedication to the Land Trust properties around Blackstone will always be in my memory. She explained the history with humour and pride to all who had an interest. She would make at least one hiking trip per year around the properties. – Cheryl Ward Carolyn has been our environmental champion for decades. Whatever the environmental topic, she gently invited others to get involved. – Erik Mathiesen Bayfield Nares Islanders’ Association Anne Stewart Anne’s love of the environment is apparent for all who know her. She said it’s her love of clear, clean water and fresh air that is the essence of Georgian Bay. She is deeply involved with many volunteer efforts including spearheading phragmites removal and management efforts, hosting stewardship parties and educational and cultural cottage association events, advocacy on dock construction and polystyrene, septic waste and hazardous waste advocacy, water testing under the Lake Partner Program and other studies. Anne doesn’t just talk about these projects, she gets involved herself! – Nichola Martin In addition, Anne served as a BNIA board member and volunteer for 16 years and was GBA representative for eight years. Cognashene Cottagers’ Association Sandy Thompson Sandy Thompson was one of the very first community leaders to strongly recognize that invasive phragmites pose and are a threat to the health of Georgian Bay (more than nine years ago). She helped develop a summer student program in collaboration with Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) to map and support the community in cutting and managing phragmites in Cognashene and Honey Harbour. Sandy promoted cottager involvement by organizing a volunteer program of teams to remove the invasive reed. In addition to her phragmites management, she has led shoreline clean-ups, volunteered as a member of GBF’s Say No to Dock Foam Committee, educated folks about microfibre pollution, spread the word about GBF’s Families for Change program and written articles for GBF’s newsletter. – Heather Sargeant Sandy served on the CCA board for seven years and was a dedicated board member who was passionate about making our part of the Bay a better, more environmentally sustainable place. – Rolfe Jones 2024 Champions Of The Bay Association Winners GBA’s Champions of the Bay Committee is thrilled to announce each Association’s 2024 Champion of the Bay. We are honoured to recognize the outstanding contributions of these 16 stewards representing our Associations from Honey Harbour in the south to the Bay of Islands in the north. We hope you help us celebrate these incredible Champions in your community! CHAMPION OF THE BAY By Katherine Denune, Chair, Guardians of the Bay Committee
Spring 2025 • GBA UPDATE 5 Manitou Association Jamie Drayton Jamie Drayton was the first chair of GBA’s Guardians of the Bay Committee, with the initiative to capture the stories and commitment of cottagers to preserving the beautiful Georgian Bay environment. Since his time on GBA, this committee has created a mini documentary series and is starting the annual Champion of the Bay Award. In addition to his service to GBA, Jamie has volunteered with GBF to cut phragmites and always leads and encourages his family in shoreline clean-up efforts. Jamie has served as the president of the Manitou Association and has inspired young people to get involved with the association. Madawaska Club Of Go Home Bay Land Stewardship Committee The Land Stewardship Committee included Doug Grundy, George Lougheed, Barb Zimmerman, Tony Pigott, Patsy Cross and Jim Rusak. This group of six Go Homers worked diligently for over six years to create consensus within the Madawaska Club to place an easement on our lands to be preserved in perpetuity. This took a massive amount of time informing the Mad Club members, preparing endless legal documents and bringing it to the community for a vote. There was very strong community support and now 1,500 acres of our lands are in an easement with the Georgian Bay Land Trust. – Jan Wishart Northern Georgian Bay Association In Memoriam – Harvey Mierke Jr Harvey’s commitment to preserving the environment and dedication to our NGBA community made him the perfect role model for all. Professor Pat Chow Fraser was among the scientists, along with her graduate students, who spent time researching wetlands and the muskie species in our area. Harvey provided them with accommodation and transportation and encouraged other association members to do the same. Harvey helped establish the NGBA and became our first president. He was a tireless communicator of all things relating to the GBA and ended up a GBA Director from 2005-2012. – Freda Klassen Pointe Au Baril Islanders’ Association Tom Scoon My primary reason for nominating Tom as a Champion of the Bay is for his energetic leadership of the Georgian Bay Land Trust. Tom is a past president and member of the GBLT board of directors. By ensuring numerous parcels of land remain undeveloped, including valuable, vulnerable wetlands, Tom has guaranteed future generations can enjoy a Bay filled with wildlife, forests, wind-swept islands and swamps. – Andrew Willis Tom has been involved with GBLT for over 20 years and has served as the chair of the Stewardship and Land Protection committees, vice president, president and currently serves as an advisor. In addition to his commitments with the Land Trust, Tom was the president of the Pointe au Baril Islanders’ Association for three years. Continues on page 6
6 GBA UPDATE • Spring 2025 Sans Souci & Copperhead Association Gregg Scott Gregg Scott has a real talent and passion for encouraging young people to get involved in local stewardship efforts. When Gregg hears that someone has an environmental interest, he speaks up and finds them the right people to connect with. As a member of the SSCA, Gregg eagerly became a founding member of the Sans Souci Islands Stewards, a new community effort to care for and monitor two well-used Crown land islands. Beyond his association, Gregg has been a long-term volunteer for the Georgian Bay Land Trust as a steward of the American Camp Islands. He is always happy to share about his role and describe the beauty of the Land Trust islands. Gregg has also helped form strong ties between his beloved community of Iron City Fishing Club (ICFC) and the GB4 organizations. In 2009, Gregg formed the Georgian Bay Community Liaison Committee at ICFC to support the GB4 and develop educational programing that could be shared with ICFC and friends. Since that time, the committee has hosted nature hikes, rock walks, an indigenous canoe build demonstration, an electric outboard demo, phragmites removal efforts and many other environmental and historic presentations. South Channel Association Ian Fenton Ian Fenton has been an innovative and dedicated member of the SCA Executive team, serving as Treasurer and with the Environment Committee. Notably, over the past several years, Ian has helped strengthen the SCA’s support of the Georgian Bay Biosphere, resulting in sponsorship of GBB’s State of the Bay publication and an annual community bioblitz in Squirrel’s Cove. Ian is passionate about keeping our shorelines free of Styrofoam and derelict docks. Last year, Ian organized a very well-attended derelict dock clean-up in collaboration with Wasauksing First Nation to remove several large docks. In addition, Ian continues to actively monitor the status of phragmites and volunteers as a steward for the Lake Partners Program, collecting water samples near the Wasauksing Swing Bridge. Twelve Mile Bay Cottage Association Brett Harris Brett Harris is the Twelve Mile Bay Community Association president and a GBA board member. Brett organized a major dock clean-up day to remove derelict docks along our shorelines. He gathered a team of cottagers with boats to collect over a dozen old docks that had been abandoned and towed them to a central location where he then used a tractor to pull the docks out of the water. His incredible efforts made it possible for the Township of Georgian Bay to come and haul the docks away. – Jim McPherson Wah Wah Taysee Association In Memoriam – Colin Dobell Colin championed on all our behalf, when he founded the Water Level Alliance to raise efforts to stop dropping water levels and Stop the Invasion to eliminate phragmites. On a personal level, Colin was one of the most beloved in our small community of Wah Way Taysee. He grew up there, he flourished there and his indomitable spirit and ever-present smile will forever be missed by those of us who knew him. – Allison Groten With his recent passing, the Bay has lost a long-time advocate and volunteer. – Ann Bowman West Carling Association Richard Wilson Several years ago, Richard realized there was a blank space in the phragmites mapping in the West Carling area. Richard took it upon himself to learn all about phragmites and partnered with Georgian Bay Forever to personally boat past all the shorelines in the Carling area. Since then, Richard has organized annual community phragmites cuts on Franklin Island to eliminate several large patches of phragmites. From his work on the Board of the West Carling Association to his work with Georgian Bay Forever and the Georgian Bay Association, Richard always steps up to the plate with a friendly smile on his face. – Briana Zur Continued from page 5 Photo: David Sweetnam
Spring 2025 • GBA UPDATE 7 West Carling Association In Memoriam – Don Clement One of the things that set Don apart from the crowd was that he was a giver. That’s a pretty scarce commodity in today’s society. – Bruce Davidson Don volunteered to assist in finding a suitable location for an osprey platform in the Snake Islands and offered to use his new pontoon boat to transport the materials. His love for ospreys has inspired the WCA board to build a new osprey nest in his honour. Don’s sense of community inspired many others to get involved with the WCA board. – Allison Needham This place of life, of spontaneity, this place of dawn and sunset and starlight, This place of soil and sunshine, of rock and waves, Of birch and pine and maple woodland, Of bear and loon and deer dwelling with us, This Georgian Bay, and its spectacular displays of the transformative Powers of nature. All this we are discovering, the first time for some, As an integral community – An earth community – A place shared. Here we experience our inherent nature and the values that evoke in us our deepest moments of Reflection Our revelatory experience of the ultimate mystery, And the interconnectedness of this great mystery’s creations. Here, in our intimate presence to the windswept islands and lapping lake, We receive those larger intuitions that lead us to dance and sing ‘round campfire light, And swim naked in the coolness of dark waters. Intuitions that activate our imaginative powers in their most creative functions. This, too is what inspires our rites and rituals, our home life, And our joy in our children. Our deepest human sensitivities emerge from this region. Here we are beckoned to slow down, take Sabbath time, take in This mystery. This special place. We who live and play here, constitute a single organic community With the Bay and the rock and the forest peaks, With the sunlight and rainstorm, With aquatic life and sandy shoreline, With all that inhabit this dwelling. We are all in some manner needed by each other. We may disdain the insects or the weedy lakebed, We may resent the heat of summer or the icy chill of winter, We may try to impose our mechanistic patterns on the biological rhythms of this place, But as soon as one of these natural functions is disturbed in its proper expression, We begin to be in trouble. We experience loss. Authentic living and communion is realized here. Contentment and joy is our reward, if we but Strive … to keep a sense … of the mystery… of this place. POEM By Claudette Young, 1999 Sense of Place Wood’s Bay Community Association Julia Webster Julia is on the Wood’s Bay Community Association board and has volunteered for several years with the Georgian Bay Biosphere, supporting their Kids in the Biosphere program. This year, she went out of her way to organize a family handson workshop with GBB called ‘If Skulls Could Talk.’ Julia has also organized creative events in collaboration with the Friends of the Massasauga Park, the Township of the Archipelago and White Squall. In addition, Julia works with a team of WBCA volunteers to manage their 16 fire pumps, many owned by the association. Each spring they visit each fire pump to ensure they are in working order and have all their necessary components in their fire pump boxes which are clearly marked and visible from the water. Each year, at WBCA’s AGM, Julia and her team demonstrate how to use a fire pump, all of which are the same type and model and give members of the association an opportunity to practice using one. A lifelong advocate for the Bay, Claudette has dedicated years to protecting its fragile waters and shores. As Chair of the Aquaculture Committee and a GBA Honourary Life Member, she worked alongside scientists, water experts, and volunteers to keep these waters thriving. Written in 1999 at the start of her GBA service, this poem reflects her enduring love for Georgian Bay, its transformative beauty, and our responsibility to preserve it. Claudette’s poem captures the essence of Georgian Bay—not just as a place, but as an experience. Her words reveal a deeper connection between nature and our own creativity, reminding us of the delicate balance that sustains our shared home.
8 GBA UPDATE • Spring 2025 Claudette Young (South Channel Association) Claudette is being honoured for her unwavering leadership in advocating for sustainable fish farming practices. A lifelong advocate for Georgian Bay’s water quality, she has served two terms as a GBA Director, was president of the South Channel Association, and, most notably, has chaired the Aquaculture Committee for 25 years. With a background in education, Claudette’s passion for the environment has driven her tireless work to promote biosecure, landbased aquaculture instead of subsidized, open-net pen operations threatening water health. Growing up as the youngest of 13 grandchildren, she developed a deep love for the Bay’s aquatic life, a passion she shares with her eight grandchildren. Bob Duncanson (Madawaska Club at Go Home Bay) Bob Duncanson is recognized for his decade-long tenure as GBA’s Executive Director. During this time, he was pivotal in strengthening GBA’s influence through advocacy, relationship-building, and consensus-driven leadership. A trusted statesman, mentor, and champion for Georgian Bay, Bob helped shape GBA’s reputation as a powerful voice in conservation. His ability to cultivate strong relationships with elected officials and policymakers elevated GBA’s profile and ensured that our concerns were acknowledged at all levels of government. One of his most notable achievements was leading GBA to the table at the highest levels of government during critical moments, such as the low water levels crisis in 2012–13. His steady leadership and advocacy during such times exemplified his ability to turn challenges into meaningful action. Thanks to his leadership, GBA’s advocacy efforts became more effective, significantly expanding our reach and impact. John McMullen (Bayfield-Nares Islanders Association) John served the GBA Board for 10 years, including two years as executive vice president and two as president. Throughout his tenure, he provided a steady and thoughtful presence, consistently offering a voice of calm and reason. John consistently went above and beyond in his service to GBA. His dedication to fair and responsible stewardship of Georgian Bay was particularly evident in his collaboration with the Northern Georgian Bay Association (NGBA) on land use issues, especially concerning the Wiikwemkoong (Wiiky) First Nation land claim. He devoted significant time working alongside NGBA, our member association in the Killarney area, to navigate land use arrangements related to this claim. He continues to advise on this important matter for GBA, and we greatly appreciate the strong working relationship he built with the leadership of the Wiiky First Nation. GBA proudly honours individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to our mission through the Honourary Life Membership (HLM) program. This prestigious recognition is reserved for volunteers—whether Board members or otherwise—who have made a profound and lasting impact on GBA’s advocacy, conservation, and community engagement through extraordinary actions or sustained commitment. While GBA’s Champions of the Bay program (see page 3 for more) celebrates a wide range of contributors to Georgian Bay’s health and sustainability, HLMs are volunteers whose exceptional, long-term contributions have directly advanced GBA’s work. These individuals exemplify leadership, service, and dedication, strengthening our mission and inspiring future generations. Welcoming Our 2025 Inductees At our upcoming Annual Members Meeting (AMM) on April 12, 2025, we will proudly recognize three outstanding individuals as HLMs for their extraordinary contributions. Honourary Life Memberships: Recognizing Exceptional Contributions to GBA MEMBERSHIPS By Allison Needham, Interim Executive Director and UPDATE Editor
Spring 2025 • GBA UPDATE 9 Through the HLM program, we continue to recognize and celebrate the individuals who have left a lasting legacy on GBA and the Georgian Bay community. BROKER Private Islands, Acreages & Cottages Servicing Northern Georgian Bay including Killarney, McGregor Bay and Bay of Islands since 1984. Phil@PhilChandler.com 705• 583• 2015 www.PhilChandler.com PHIL CHANDLER Real Estate How the Process Works HLM nominations can be submitted by GBA Board members or members of the larger GBA community. The board carefully reviews each nomination and makes the final decision regarding recipients. New inductees are formally acknowledged at the AMM, where their contributions are celebrated among the GBA membership. A Tradition of Leadership and Service GBA has a long and proud tradition of recognizing dedicated individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and commitment have strengthened our mission to protect Georgian Bay. Over the years, many have been honoured for their efforts in this important work. Notable past recipients include: Name Year Inducted Contributions Wally King (Sans Souci) 1991 Spearheaded the founding of the Township of the Archipelago, former GBA President, led the GBA’s 75th anniversary celebration, and co-founded the Georgian Bay Trust Foundation (now GBLT). Roy Schatz (Pointe au Baril) 1998 Served as president of the Pointe au Baril Islanders’ Association, secretary and president of GBA, and founder of the GBA Foundation (now Georgian Bay Forever). Pat Northey 2005 Twice, the president of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve secured Biosphere Reserve status with UNESCO for the East Georgian Bay Littoral zone. Bill Davis (Cognashene) 2018 A steadfast supporter of GBA, Bill provided invaluable counsel throughout his career, including his time as Premier of Ontario. As a lifelong advocate for Ontario and its communities, he brought principled leadership, wisdom, and kindness to his work with GBA, just as he did in public service. Mary Muter (Wah-WahTaysee) 2018 Led water quality initiatives, secured governmental monitoring of Georgian Bay’s water and air quality, and spearheaded research on water levels. Karl Schiefer (Cognashene) 2018 Fisheries and water quality expert, a key contributor to water testing protocols and responsible aquaculture advocacy. *For a full list of HLMs, visit : georgianbay.ca/honourary-life-members/
10 GBA UPDATE • Spring 2025 PRESIDENT’S REPORT By Liz Phillips, GBA President Stronger Together There was a moment during this year’s Presidents’ Forum in November as we were milling about waiting for the meeting to begin, when I felt a sense of hope and anticipation for what the day would bring. We had an exceptional turnout, with representatives from all but one of our member associations in attendance. We had an interactive and innovative agenda planned, led by professional moderator Tim Magwood. But most importantly, we had a special kind of energy in the room, with everyone eager to see where we would take GBA moving forward. We hadn’t gathered in person as a community like this since before COVID, and it was clear that this was something we all had missed. It served as a crucial reminder of the significance of meeting in person to better understand and address the challenges we face together. Since I joined the GBA board in 2018, it has never felt more important for us to be united. This Georgian Bay ecosystem is unique and remarkably pristine, but the threats against it are gathering as our political leaders increasingly put profits ahead of environmental protection. As the outcome of the forum showed us, we unanimously agreed on making sustainable development our top priority, addressing water quality issues, and strengthening our relationships with local Indigenous communities. (You can read more about the Presidents’ Forum in Shannon Farquharson’s article in this issue of UPDATE.) We must continually remind our politicians that growth does not have to come at the expense of our environment and communities. It can be thoughtful, deliberate, and sustainable. Our Vision 2050 team is dedicated to defining what this sustainable growth looks like, collaborating with GBA’s partners and stakeholders to shape a prosperous future for Georgian Bay. Together, we can create a legacy that prioritizes both progress and preservation for generations to come. As for our water concerns, GBA’s Water Committee has felt reinvigorated by this clear mandate to take action and has developed a set of concrete actions to respond to our members’ feedback. Finally, GBA’s Indigenous Liaison Committee is developing content for the GBA website to help better explain some of the tangible outcomes we are seeing as a result of reconciliation, in particular in the area around Georgian Bay. It’s a complex issue without a lot of easy answers, but the committee is doing its best to cut through some of the confusion. While these times feel somewhat uncertain, I am confident in the strength of GBA and its members in navigating these stormy waters because we have our lodestar clearly in our sights: the future of our beautiful Bay. Not to mention that our Board and other volunteers continue to work hard to make that a reality. It has been an honour to be a small part of keeping GBA relevant and vibrant as the organization moves forward. Being on the Board for five years, then serving as the president for the last two, has been one of the most demanding, rewarding, and educational experiences I have had. And although my time as president is coming to a close, I also know that our incoming president, Al Stratton, will be a phenomenal leader. He will also be joined by a new permanent executive director who will inject GBA with fresh energy and direction. It will be exciting to see what lies in store for GBA as we use our collective voices to ensure our messages are heard loud and clear. Caring for People & Place
Spring 2025 • GBA UPDATE 11 PRESIDENTS’ FORUM By Shannon Farquharson, Communications & Executive Services Coordinator GBA Presidents' Forum Sets Stage for Future of Georgian Bay On November 9, 2024, GBA hosted its inaugural Presidents' Forum at the Rosedale Golf Club. The forum, which was led by accomplished facilitator Tim Magwood of 1-DEGREE/Shift, brought together our associations under the theme "Growing Our GBA Impact Together—Connect, Listen & Clarify." The event provided a platform for our member associations to connect, share perspectives, and discuss challenges to help ensure that GBA’s resources are used effectively to support the priorities and needs of our members. Through open discussions, participants highlighted areas where GBA provides value and proactively addresses issues affecting Georgian Bay, including floating homes, water quality, and invasive species like phragmites. The discussion also focused on ways GBA can remain on the cutting edge, continue to identify threats, and act on issues of concern. Drill-down discussions identified three key areas of concern shared by our associations: 1. Development pressures 2. Water quality 3. Strengthening Indigenous relationships Participants also helped pinpoint areas where GBA can continue improving and growing. These include ongoing proactive advocacy, strengthening GBA’s voice on key issues, enhancing collaboration and information sharing among our associations, and strengthening our relationships with all levels of government, Indigenous communities, and other environmental organizations. These insights will help shape GBA's advocacy strategy and ensure our organization’s mission to protect and preserve Georgian Bay is compelling. Next Steps and Ongoing Collaboration The event concluded with a strong endorsement of establishing the Presidents' Forum as an annual event. This would provide another vital listening opportunity for GBA to hear our members’ concerns and ideas. As a champion of collective action, GBA is committed to amplifying the voices of our members and ensuring their perspectives are represented and valued. Building on the momentum from this event, we are exploring new ways to share information and ideas among Association Presidents, fostering a more collaborative environment. GBA thanks all participants who contributed to the Forum's success. As we move forward, your passion, ideas, and commitment to protecting Georgian Bay are vital. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to tackle complex challenges, drive positive change, and ensure the long-term health and sustainability of our beloved Bay. We are stronger together! Bay of Islands Patrick Thoburn Sheila Williams Liz Phillips* Bayfield-Nares Rob Reed Leeanne Smart Blackstone Lake Andy Metelka* Kathy Watts Cognashene Sue Ross Meagan Carney David Matthews* Honey Harbour Elena Vander Meer Key River Area Dianne Grassie Madawaska Club Christine Rob Manitou Liz Drayton* Courtney Craib Northern Georgian Bay Rob Nairn Andy Nairn Pointe au Baril Mary Thomson Hannah Willis* Sans-Souci Copperhead Glen Campbell Michael Reddy Al Stratton* Shannon Farquharson* South Channel Luc Voorn Wah Wah Taysee Colin Bohm Gail Sinclair Gord Forstner* West Carling Donna Tucker Cynthia Milburn Woods Bay Reg McGuire Heather Sargeant* *GBA Board Attendees
12 GBA UPDATE • Spring 2025 EMPLOYEE UPDATES By Allison Needham, Interim Executive Director and UPDATE Editor New Project Coordinator for Vision 2050 GBA welcomes Kate Bentley-Taylor as the new Project Coordinator for Vision 2050. With a strong background in environmental sustainability and community advocacy, Kate is completing her Honours BA in Environment, Sustainability, and Society and International Development Studies at Dalhousie University. As part of her final project, Kate has been working as a sustainability consultant, collaborating with a team of students to develop and implement a sustainability plan for a communitysupported agriculture food box program at Dalhousie’s student-run farmers’ market. This experience has strengthened Kate’s skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning—key to supporting the goals of Vision 2050. Kate grew up on Georgian Bay and has worked with the Sans Souci and Copperhead Association. Her connection to the area gives her valuable insights into our community’s environmental challenges and opportunities. Kate will support the Vision 2050 project by tracking project actions, following up with members and stakeholders, drafting communications materials, collaborating with other Georgian Bay organizations, assisting with fundraising, engaging supporters. Beyond her academic and professional background, Kate is deeply engaged in community involvement and environmental advocacy. She holds leadership positions as president of the Ninety Percent Society, where she organizes initiatives to support individuals with eating disorders, and serves as a market facilitator for Beet Street Market, addressing food insecurity on campus. Additionally, Kate has volunteered with DALZERO, leading campaigns promoting sustainability policies at Dalhousie University, and with Best Buddies Canada, fostering inclusive community connections. We are excited to have Kate on board and look forward to her contributions to the team—please join us in extending a warm welcome!
Spring 2025 • GBA UPDATE 13 A few months ago, Bill Lougheed retired after 11 years as Executive Director of the Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT), leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of conservation and environmental stewardship. His dedication, vision, and tireless work have helped shape the future of Georgian Bay’s wilderness, ensuring its protection for generations to come. Under Bill’s leadership, the Land Trust flourished. He worked closely with hundreds of landowners and funding partners to establish 42 new conservation reserves, protecting 8,581 acres of pristine Georgian Bay wilderness in perpetuity. He also spearheaded the Corridor Project, an ambitious initiative to create a connected habitat corridor along eastern Georgian Bay. The first phase of this project, completed in 2024, encompasses an impressive 32,900 acres. Thanks to Bill’s efforts, some of Georgian Bay’s most ecologically valuable forests, islands, and wetlands will remain untouched, preserving the region’s biodiversity and natural beauty. Bill also expanded GBLT’s role in conservation science. He forged partnerships with university researchers, bringing professors and students to Georgian Bay to study its unique ecosystems. He introduced the Land Trust to the Motus wildlife tracking network, linking the region to international bird research. His vision also led to the establishment of the Land Trust’s first field station, creating opportunities for passionate conservationists from outside the area to contribute their expertise and energy. Beyond Georgian Bay, Bill worked to strengthen the broader conservation movement. He served on the board of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, collaborated with fellow executive directors through the Canadian Land Trusts Working Group, and was a founding member of the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts. Through these roles, he advocated at both provincial and national levels, playing a key role in securing critical funding for land trusts through Canada’s Nature Fund and Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership. His leadership helped bring new resources to conservation efforts in Georgian Bay and beyond. Bill has left the GBLT in a thriving position for the future, with exciting conservation initiatives underway, well-managed stewardship funds, and a dedicated team that he has mentored and inspired. His leadership has ensured that the organization remains well-equipped to protect Georgian Bay’s natural heritage for generations to come. As the Land Trust embarks on this next chapter, we are delighted to welcome Andrew Young as the new Executive Director. With a background as Executive Director of Outward Bound Canada and Vice President of Diabetes Canada, Andrew brings extensive leadership experience, along with a deep personal connection to Georgian Bay through years of camping, canoeing, and cottaging in the region. Thank you Bill for 11 years of outstanding service to conservation, and for the legacy you have left for us all in Georgian Bay’s natural places. Here’s to many more years enjoying the fruits of your labour in Go Home Bay! EMPLOYEE UPDATES By Sarah Koetsier, Communication Director, Georgian Bay Land Trust Celebrating Bill Lougheed’s Conservation Legacy
14 GBA UPDATE • Spring 2025 GBA UPDATE is printed by Warren’s Waterless Printing, Canada’s leading environmental printer, using high-quality waterless print technology on Enviro 100% recycled paper. The waterless printing process eliminates the use of fresh water and greatly reduces the use of harmful chemical compounds. Distributed under Canada Publication Mail Sales Agreement # 40038178 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: GBA c/o SHANNON FARQUHARSON, Communications & Executive Services Coordinator 138 Hopedale Avenue, Toronto ON M4K 3M7 (416) 937-4990 • sfarquharson@georgianbay.ca Patrons of GBA: The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. John Ralston Saul, C.C. The Georgian Bay Association is an advocacy umbrella group representing 18 community associations and their members – approximately 3,000 families comprising over 30,000 individuals. GBA UPDATE is published by the Georgian Bay Association 2025 Publication Schedule Issue Distribution Date Spring March Summer May Fall October GBA Mission Statement: To work with our water-based communities and other stakeholders to ensure the careful stewardship of the greater Georgian Bay environment. GBA UPDATE is mailed to all members of all GBA member associations, friends, other stakeholders and interest groups. Bulk copies can be made available to full member associations to include with their mailings. Material may be reprinted in GBA member association newsletters provided that the source is acknowledged. Letters to the editor are welcome. Please send address corrections and changes to the address below. President: Liz Phillips email: lizphillips@georgianbay.ca Interim Executive Director: Allison Needham email: executivedirector@georgianbay.ca Editor: Allison Needham email: editor@georgianbay.ca Advertising: Shannon Farquharson email: sfarquharson@georgianbay.ca Webmaster: Shannon Farquharson email: sfarquharson@georgianbay.ca GBA website: www.georgianbay.ca Facebook: www.facebook.com/GBayAssociation Your Voice on the Bay GBA THANKS JUNCTION59 for their services supporting our eUpdate, website and our social media channels Marc Cooper 416.481.4861 junction59.com This publication designed and layout by 705.636.7319 • www.jcldesign.ca Helping you to achieve your vision Subscribe to GBA eUPDATE email news updates by clicking the link at www.georgianbay.ca Upcoming Events Our sister Georgian Bay organizations wish to inform you of these upcoming events Georgian Bay Forever Georgian Bay Land Trust GBLT Big Day May 15, 2025 Details at: gblt.org/events Follow along as Georgian Bay Land Trust staff attempt to break the record for how many birds they can find in 24 hours! Pledge your support and contribute to bird conservation science on Georgian Bay. The Midland Homeshow April 11 & 12 at the Simcoe Recreation Centre, free to go and will be from Friday, April 11, 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 12, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wasaga Beach Earth Day Shoreline Cleanup Sunday, April 27, 1 - 3 p.m., Beach Area 2 in Wasaga Beach, free parking at Municipal lot at 5th St. N, and free to go
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