2018-Apr-18
Lands & Forests
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- Flora
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- Invasive Terrestrial Species
- Air Quality
If your Pleasure Craft License (PCL) was issued in 1974 or earlier, a critical deadline is approaching. Under the new federal laws that took effect at the end of last year, licenses that previously had no expiry date are now being phased into a 5-year renewal cycle. - Owners of vessels licensed on or before December 31, 1974, must complete their renewal by March 31, 2026. - What You Need to Know: The Deadline: March 31, 2026 to if your PCL was issued in 1974 or earlier. - The Cost: A $24 fee applies for all renewals. - Why it Matters: Operating with an expired or inaccurate license can result in a fine of $250. - Action Required: Visit the Transport Canada Pleasure Craft Licensing portal to update your information and pay the renewal fee before the month
On February 24, GBA Executive Director Meredith Denning joined the Mnidoo Gamii Georgian Bay Biosphere’s annual Stewardship Gathering. This collaborative forum brings together a diverse network of regional leaders to highlight their environmental priorities and projects for the year ahead. - The event connects non-profits, First Nations representatives, government agencies, and academic researchers to: - Share Knowledge: Exchange current monitoring and research findings on wetlands, climate change, and species at risk. - Coordinate Action: Align strategies for the upcoming season to reduce duplication and address regional conservation gaps. - Foster Collaboration: Spark new partnerships and resource-sharing opportunities that strengthen our collective impact
GBA's Executive Director, Meredith Denning, attended the Great Lakes Public Forum, where the results of the 2050 State of the Great Lakes Report (SOGL) were presented. This report—the authoritative assessment of the health of our waters—classifies the overall Lake Huron/Georgian Bay ecosystem as "Fair to Good" with an "Unchanging" trend. According to the report, the Lake Huron basin remains a reliable source of high-quality drinking water and provides excellent opportunities for swimming and recreation. However, the report highlights several key "Fair" and "Poor" indicators that demand our attention: - Nutrients and Algae: While offshore phosphorus is stable, nearshore areas are prone to nuisance algal growth (Cladophora). Specifically, the southern end of Georgian Bay remai
Lake Michigan-Huron is 3 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lake Michigan-Huron are up 1 inch. Lake Superior water levels are the same, while Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 2, 4 & 1 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior & Ontario levels are up 5 & 4 inches, respectively, from last year, while Lakes Michigan-Huron & Erie are lower by 3 & 8 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lake St. Clair levels are currently the same as they were last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 4, 11, 3, 7 & 3 inches below their long-term February averages. All the lakes remain well below their February record highs. In a month, Lake Superior level
After a series of historically low-ice winters, the Great Lakes made a significant comeback in 2026. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirms that ice coverage across the basin peaked at 58% on February 9, marking the highest ice levels seen since 2019. - While the last few years saw the lakes struggle to freeze, 2026 surpassed long-term averages across the board. The surge was driven by an intense cold spell in late January and early February, allowing ice to build rapidly. - Where the Lakes Topped Out: Lake Huron: A major overachiever, surging to 77% coverage (well above its 50% average). As of late February, it remains nearly half-covered at 47%. Lake Erie: Came within four percentage points of freezing over entirely, peaking
The Township of Georgian Bay is considering an application to Transport Canada to establish a 9 km/h water speed limit in a specific area of Honey Harbour. This request falls under the federal Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR) and aims to enhance waterway safety, protect sensitive shorelines, and preserve the local quality of life. - The speed restriction would cover the area stretching from the northeast end of Royal Island to west side Mermaid Island and the Southeast side of Mermaid Island to 2849 Honey Harbour Road. The channel located in front of Nauilus Marina and the Honey Harbour Boat Club. - Only a local authority can request this type of VORR from the federal government. To ensure the decision reflects the needs of those who live, work, and play in the area, t
The Ontario government announced a $20 million investment through the new Species Conservation Program, and Georgian Bay ecosystems are set to benefit directly. - This funding will support 46 community-led projects that protect the plants and animals that make Ontario so unique. Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Todd McCarthy said “By making strategic investments to support experienced conservation leaders, we are taking action to restore habitat, support species recovery efforts and protect Ontario’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.” - Spotlight on Georgian Bay Initiatives While the funding spans the province, several key projects are happening around Georgian Bay: - Georgian Bay Forever: Receives vital support to continue the removal of
On February 12, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) hosted a hybrid information session at Meaford Hall to clarify the federal regulatory roadmap for TC Energy's proposed Pumped Storage Project. The session drew significant community interest, with over 100 residents attending in person and over 150 more participating online. - The meeting featured presentations from several federal departments, including Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence. These agencies outlined their roles in the upcoming impact assessment process, which will evaluate the project’s footprint on the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre lands and potential environmental impa
As the sun gets stronger and the days get longer, the ice on Georgian Bay undergoes a dangerous transformation. What was a solid, predictable surface becomes "rotten ice"—a state where thickness is no longer a reliable measure of safety. - The Science of the Soften: What is "Rotten Ice"? When air temperatures fluctuate to near or above freezing, the crystal structure of the ice begins to break down. This process, called honeycombing, occurs when water and air pockets infiltrate the vertical grain of the ice. Even if the ice measures 10 inches thick, if it is honeycombed, it has reduced lateral strength and can collapse under your weight like a house of cards. - While mid-winter ice is typically clear and "blue," late winter ice can take on a dull grey or black appearance. This ind
Lake Michigan-Huron is 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 are down 2, 1, 4 & 3 inches, respectively, while Lake Ontario levels are the same. Lakes Superior, St. Clair & Ontario levels are up 3, 4 & 3 inches, respectively, from last year, while Lakes Michigan-Huron & Erie are lower by 5 & 8 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 4, 12, 5, 6 & 4 inches below their long-term February averages. All the lakes remain well below their February record highs. In a month, Lake Superior levels are predicted to fall by 1 inch. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie &
With beautiful snow and ice conditions across the region this long weekend, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are issuing a stark reminder: enthusiasm must not outpace safety! - Tragically, seven people have already lost their lives in snowmobile incidents across Ontario since the start of the 2025/26 season. This follows a decade of data showing that year after year, the same "preventable" risky behaviours are claiming lives. - The Fatal Five Statistics show 145 snowmobile deaths occurred in OPP jurisdictions over the last 10 seasons, with 15 fatalities last season alone! The OPP highlights five recurring factors in nearly every snowmobile fatality: - Speed: Driving too fast for the visibility or trail conditions. -
Removing low-lying branches from your trees is a powerful way you can help minimize the spread of wildfires--but did you know that late winter is the best time to prune? Why winter? Less Stress: with trees in a dormant state, pruning is far less taxing on the tree's health No Pests: cold weather means minimal risk of insect infestation and disease Clear View: without thick foliage in the way, it’s easier to see what needs to go The 2-Metre Rule The 2-Metre Rule is one of the most effective ways to protect your property: simply prune all live and dead branches from the ground up to a height of two metres. By removing these low-lying "ladder fuels," you prevent ground fires from climbing into the treetops where they become much harder to control. So if you’re looki
