There are so many ways you can get involved in and around the Bay.
Take a minute to learn about all the organizations working to protect the Bay by exploring our guide to the GB4.
Or see how you and your entire family can contribute by becoming a Guardians of the Bay.
Who Does What on Georgian Bay? Your Guide to the GB5 Organizations Working to Protect the Bay
Read More...The “Guardians of the Bay” (GOTB) is an initiative to permeate a mentality of protection and preservation across all parties that touch Georgian Bay, in any way, big or small.
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A dramatic rescue operation was undertaken in Ontario's Frontenac Provincial Park on December 8, 2024, after a 30-year-old female hiker slipped and fell down an embankment, injuring her leg. Her fellow hikers contacted emergency services, who were able to pinpoint her location by using the what3words app. Once on the scene, a paramedic firefighter determined that the hiker had likely broken her leg. Due to the remote location and deteriorating conditions, it was decided that airlifting the hiker to hospital was the safest option. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were contacted for air support, and a search and rescue helicopter from the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Trenton was dispatched to airlift the hiker to Kingston General Hospital for medi
A second person is facing charges in connection with the fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake that occurred on May 18, 2024, killing three and injuring five others. The operator of the fishing-style boat that was struck now faces charges under the Canada Shipping Act for allegedly failing to display the boat's required lights and not having enough lifejackets. He will appear in court on January 13, 2025. The collision happened around 9:30 p.m. in the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, roughly 140 kilometres southwest of Ottawa, when a speedboat struck a small fishing-style boat, ending up on top of it. The driver of the speed boat was charged in October with 12 criminal offences, including three counts each of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death, dangerous operation of a conve
GBA’s Aquaculture committee has written to Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada (ECCC), to ask for more federal oversight on the industry to mitigate ecological damage and to ensure compliance with the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. GBA also made several recommendations, including: Expanding aquaculture research in Lake Huron to better understand the impacts of this industry and eliminate the research gaps. Expanding ECCC and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) oversight of the industry to ensure that regulations are enforced and the environment is protected. Convening a working group for transparency and collaboration among stakeholders. Moving the
Earlier this spring GBA asked you to help the International Joint Commission (IJC) Great Lakes Water Quality Board by participating in their fourth Great Lakes Regional Poll. The results are now in, and of the more than 4,500 Canadians and Americans surveyed, the majority of respondents find Great Lakes protection and investments essential to the region's economy and quality of life. Key findings: Respondents expressed nearly unanimous support (96%) for the importance of government investment in Great Lakes protections More than 9 in 10 respondents (94%) believe it is important to protect the Great Lakes, up from 85% in 2015's survey Four in 5 (80%) respondents agree the region’s economy will suffer if the Great Lakes are not healthy Invasive species and pollution se
We are searching for an exceptional person to become the next leader of our Georgian Bay Association. As the voice of our 18-member associations, we advocate on issues that impact our members and help preserve and protect Georgian Bay's unique and fragile ecosystems. For over a century, the GBA has championed sustainable development, influenced environmental policy, and engaged member associations and communities to safeguard the future of this precious region. As Executive Director, you will play a vital role in driving the execution of GBA’s vision and mission and work closely with our Board to implement strategies, plans and policies that protect Georgian Bay for future generations. This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate leader to drive environmental advocacy and to make
Lake Michigan-Huron is now 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 down 1, 3, 7, 5 & 0 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 4, 8, 7, 6 & 2 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lake Erie is 3 inches above the long-term December average, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron, St Clair & Ontario are 6, 5, 1 & 5 inches below, respectively. All the lakes remain well below their December record highs. - In a month’s time, Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are expected to fall by 3 and 2 inches, respectively. Lakes St. Clair & Ontario are expect
As the holiday season approaches, consider gifting the cottage enthusiast in your life something that will help keep them safe and secure. They'll get a thoughtful gift, and you'll get the gift of peace of mind. Here are some great gift ideas that focus on safety: Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) - These life-saving devices are Coast Guard-approved, comfortable to wear and provide excellent buoyancy in emergency situations. eFlares - In emergency situations, eFlares provide a safe and reliable way to signal for help. Lightweight Portable Battery Charger - Ensure devices stay charged when they're needed the most and keep your loved ones powered up and connected. High Lumen Spotlight -
The Ontario government has announced a significant investment in the fight against invasive phragmites, allocating $11 million over three years to support local control efforts. Invasive phragmites, also known as European common reeds, pose a significant threat to Ontario's ecosystems, infrastructure, and economy. These aggressive plants can outcompete native species, clog drainage ditches, and even impact public safety. The Invasive Phragmites Control Fund, administered by the Invasive Species Centre and the Nature Conservancy of Canada, will support local Phragmites prevention and control projects that range from $2,500 to $25,000, with exceptional (e.g. multi-partner, landscape scale collaborations) projects up to $50,000. Community groups, m
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 2, 3, 7, 6 & 2 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 6, 6, 11, 8 & 3 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lake Erie is 2 inches above the long-term December average, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron, St Clair & Ontario are 6, 3, 3 & 6 inches below, respectively. All the lakes remain well below their December record highs. - In a month’s time, Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are expected to fall by 3 and 2 inches, respectively. Lakes St. Clair & Ontario are expected
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), a non-profit group responsible for the safe, long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel, announced that Ignace in northwestern Ontario has been chosen to house a deep geological repository for Canada’s nuclear waste. The Ignace site was chosen over a site in the municipality of South Bruce on Lake Huron. The municipality of South Bruce was in favour of building the repository, however, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation had not made a decision, prompting the NWMO to select the Ignace site. The NWMO will now start the regulatory process, which could take seven to 10 years. Construction is expected to take 10 years, with operations set to begin in the 2040s. Read more here.
Lake Michigan-Huron is now 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 down 0, 2, 4, 4 & 4 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 4, 7, 4, 3 & 2 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes St Clair & Erie are 2 and 5 inches, respectively, above their long-term November averages, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron & Ontario are 7, 4 & 6 inches below, respectively. All the lakes remain well below their November record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, & Erie are expected to fall by 3, 2 & 1 inches, respectively
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
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 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
Go Wild and Protect the Bay What is your connection to Georgian Bay? I came from a family of campers. We didn’t have a cottage. This was back in the 1960s and early 70s and Killbear Provincial Park was one of my favourite campgrounds. It’s where I saw my first rattlesnake and caught my first smallmouth bass. I was introduced to the South Channel in the early 1980s when my wife, Beth, invited me to her family cottage. We bought our own property in the late 90s and have made the annual trek from Alberta to Georgian Bay every year since. - Why is being a Guardian of the Bay important to you? I believe that an individual’s actions are as important as government regulations for protecting Georgian Bay. We are the guardians of our property’s ecological health. Collectively, Guardi
