About The Georgian Bay Association (GBA)
The following section has been taken directly from www.georgianbayassociation.com.
The Georgian Bay Association is an umbrella group of 20 cottage associations, representing over 4,000 families along the eastern and northern shores of Georgian Bay. Formed in 1916, our mandate to act as stewards of the fragile and finite water and land resources of the Bay has not changed over almost 100 years.
The members of the Board of Directors for the GBA work on a variety of committees to fulfill that mandate. Those committees include Water, Fisheries, Lands and Forests, Boating, Government Relations and Communications as well as internal Governance. The work is wide-ranging, everything from helping cottage associations establish water quality testing programs for monitoring municipal planning issues, giving input to government on boating regulations and fisheries issues and lobbying the most senior levels of government about serious concerns that threaten the unique ecology of Georgian Bay.
The role of the GBA and the scope of its work changed significantly in the 1990s as government services were eliminated or downloaded to already over-stretched lower levels of government. As the only organization focused solely on lobbying governments about the specific and distinct concerns of Georgian Bay, the GBA became of necessity a vigilant watchdog of policies affecting the Bay at all levels of government: municipal, provincial, federal and international. This website has more specific information about each of the GBA committee's activities.
The GBA is dependent on the support of its 20 member associations – both for the human resources that make up our committees and also for the financial support that allows us to have the services of a full-time Executive Director.
About Georgian Bay Forever (GBF)
The following section has been taken directly from www.georgianbayforever.org.
Georgian Bay Forever is a charity dedicated to scientific research and public education on Georgian Bay's aquatic ecosystem.
Our mission is to protect, enhance, and restore the aquatic ecosystem of Georgian Bay by funding accredited research on water levels, water quality, wetlands and invasive species; by educating the public and governments on issues regarding the environmental protection, conservation, the safety and preservation of the water and the natural features of the Georgian Bay area of Ontario; and by enhancing the public's appreciation for their environment.
We believe that water is a common heritage and a fundamental human right essential to life. It should be preserved, and made accessible to all, today and in the future. We value the concepts of transparency, integrity, creativity, trust, and sharing. Everything we undertake is done with respect for the members of the varied communities we serve.
Georgian Bay Forever, formerly the GBA Foundation, is a registered Canadian charity (#89531 1066 RR0001). We work with the Great Lakes Basin Conservancy in the United States, as well as other stakeholder groups all around the Great Lakes.
Learn More » | Donate to the GBF Now »
About Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT)
The following section has been taken directly from www.gblt.org.
The Georgian Bay Land Trust is a not-for-profit registered charity whose mission is to preserve the unique archipelago and the adjacent water bodies that lie along the eastern shore of Georgian Bay and the North Channel that are of ecological, geological and historical importance, and to promote the appreciation of this special area.
This area generally covers, but is not specifically limited to, the shore between Port Severn to the south and the North Channel.
The GBLT is a volunteer-oriented organization, with over 250 people working throughout the year to act as stewards for the protected properties, conduct educational seminars and information sessions, distribute materials about the work of the GBLT and generally work to achieve the Trust's goals.
Volunteers come from all communities who have a stake in the preservation of the archipelago's well being: permanent residents, cottagers and seasonal residents, power boaters, sailors, kayakers, canoeists, native communities, fishers, campers, hikers. The one thing they all have in common is a love for this unique area and a desire to have it protected for the enjoyment of future generations.
Learn More » | Donate to the GBLT Now »
About the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve
The following section has been taken directly from www.gbbr.ca/.
Designated by UNESCO in 2004, the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve is an area of 347,000 hectares that stretches 200 km along the eastern coast from Port Severn to the French River, in the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, also known as the 30,000 Islands. The unique geography and geology of the area create more than 1,000 distinct habitat types which support a variety of rare species, including plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Visitors can explore a mosaic of open waters, sheltered bays, coastal wetlands, exposed bedrock shores, sand and cobble beaches, riparian vegetation and upland forests.
The Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve model aims to integrate core protected areas (such as provincial and national parks), surrounding buffer areas (mostly Crown Lands) and an outer transition area of communities that support sustainable development. The biosphere reserve does not affect existing jurisdictions but creates a forum for cooperation and operates through community partnerships.
— Protects the environment.
— Creates vibrant communities.
— Builds a healthy economy.
About the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve
The following section has been taken directly from www.helpourfisheries.com.
The EGBSC is part of the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Ontario Stewardship Network, consisting of over 40 councils throughout central and southern Ontario and now in the process of expanding to the north. The Council’s goal is to be an effective facilitator of community participation and voluntary efforts that foster the establishment of healthy, productive and self-sustaining natural ecosystems.
The Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve model aims to integrate core protected areas (such as provincial and national parks), surrounding buffer areas (mostly Crown Lands) and an outer transition area of communities that support sustainable development. The biosphere reserve does not affect existing jurisdictions but creates a forum for cooperation and operates through community partnerships.
The EGBSC comprises Georgian Bay from Severn Sound to the French River delta and adjoining geographic townships inland. Our Council mandate is broad, covering all stewardship aspects of land, air and water resources. Nonetheless, our Council area is primarily water-based and we have a keen interest in fisheries rehabilitation and management. We consider this our niche within the environmental community. The foundation of our projects is cooperative partnerships with the many government, conservation, private and community groups that share our interest and commitment to resource stewardship.
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