This is the summer to explore the beauty of eastern Georgian Bay! With 300 km of trails and over 30,000 islands, provincial, national and Indigenous parks – there is a summer full of fun and adventure waiting! Home to 52 species at risk, the Georgian Bay Biosphere (GBB) staff will once again be offering ‘Biosphere
It’s that time of year again when turtles are on the move! As turtles travel between habitats, they will be found attempting to cross the road. To help our slow-moving friends, it is extra important that we watch for turtles while driving. This season on Skerryvore Community Road, the Georgian Bay Biosphere and Shawanaga First
Position Description: The Biosphere Fieldwork and Outreach Assistant will support the Species at Risk and Outreach & Education staff teams throughout the summer months. This position will provide supports for species at risk surveys, turtle care, data gathering, and reporting at field locations throughout the Biosphere region. As well, this position will aid in the
About the Opportunity: As Climate Change & Energy Specialist, you will be the technical lead in delivering climate change and energy programming for the organization, including the Integrated Community Energy & Climate Action Plans (ICECAP) partnership. The ICECAP partnership is a unique regional and collaborative partnership that brings together First Nations and municipalities to approach
Desmasdon’s Boat Works is celebrating their 75th year in business and generously making a donation that will kick off the Georgian Bay Biosphere’s matching donor campaign. From April 19th to April 30th, charitable donations will be matched by Desmasdon’s up to $7,500. The campaign is to honour the work of the Biosphere and their fundraising
Carbon calculator captures boat emissions In just ten months, the Integrated Community Energy and Climate Action Plans (ICECAP) partnership has made record progress. Despite COVID-19, partners worked together to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions for their own communities and operations. ICECAP members now have the background information needed to set targets to reduce their emissions,
Position Description: The Biosphere Natural Heritage Intern will be responsible for developing and delivering weekly educational programs and public outreach pertaining to local ecology and the Georgian Bay Biosphere (GBB) to a variety of audiences. The Intern will also conduct field work including support for conservation field work, events, and guided hikes. Wages: $17.00/hour
The Species at Risk Field Technician will support the Georgian Bay Biosphere and its partners in the delivery of the Community Nominated Priority Places (CNPP) project. The CNPP project aims to assess local populations of Species at Risk, their associated threats, and respond with appropriate conservation practices. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting
The spectacular fishing opportunities coupled with idyllic scenery, make it easy to fall in love with eastern Georgian Bay and the North Channel. The Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council (EGBSC) has been dedicated to protecting fisheries and enhancing the aquatic ecosystem in this region for close to two decades. Now, after many years of hard
We are seeking a dynamic, motivated Communications and Marketing Intern to assist in the implementation of the organization’s external communications and marketing plan in the context of sustainable community development. The position will support key messages from each program area and help track and report on the social and economic impact of the organization and
The Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve organization is removing the word “reserve” from its name and incorporating a traditional Ojibway name for Georgian Bay. Several world biosphere reserves in Canada have made similar decisions, dropping the word “reserve” and replacing it with “region” or a locally preferred name. In 2004, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
In partnership, the Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth (GBAY) and the Georgian Bay Biosphere (GBB) are seeking applicants for the position of the Anishinaabek Youth Intern (AYI). The AYI will be primarily responsible for developing and delivering Indigenous environmental education programs and public outreach pertaining to the Georgian Bay Biosphere, to a variety of audiences. Wages:
Assessment of road mortality mitigation and community ecology of turtles in Eastern Georgian Bay We are seeking a highly motivated and hardworking individual with an interest in Species-at-Risk reptile ecology to undertake a field-based thesis project in partnership with the Georgian Bay Biosphere through the Community Nominated Priority Places (CNPP) program, and with Shawanaga First
As the sun shines on the edge of a large wetland, over 100 turtles await their return home as staff of the Georgian Bay Biosphere carry them through the reeds. Three large containers hold the turtle hatchlings, each between four and ten days old. These are just some of the hatched turtles of the 1,115
We’re holding a contest! Beginning September 2 nd , 2 names will be drawn every Wednesday on Moose 103.3FM to win a $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant or café. To enter, all you have to do is complete the carbon calculator survey. The carbon calculator lets permanent and seasonal residents, and businesses calculate
As schools prepare to re-open, we want to share our support. As a community partner to local schools and other education organizations, we want to continue to offer quality learning resources and adapt to our partner’s needs. We have always encouraged educators to use natural spaces as “outdoor classrooms” and design “walking field trips” for
Many of us silently celebrate the return of the Monarch butterfly each summer, a butterfly familiar to us since childhood. Monarch populations have not been doing well over the last decade, with populations being closely watched by scientists and the public alike. This year, on August 22nd, hundreds of people in communities will recognize “National
Are you a kid in the Biosphere? Or are you someone that loves to be outside? If yes, then you will want to check this out! This Activity Kit is designed to keep the young, and young at heart, busy all summer long… It contains: The Complete Summer Scavenger Hunt. There are 25 items listed,
GBBR’s Native Plant Fundraiser was a great success in June! With some changes made to the pick up and delivery of the native plants, GBBR staff and volunteers helped distribute almost 4,000 plants. A huge thank you to the event volunteers and everyone who purchased plants through this fundraiser! Remember to keep your plants well
By: Gracie Crafts This month is called the Berry Moon because it is when the berries start to come out. Strawberries (odeimiin) come out first usually followed by raspberries (miskomiin), blackberries (odatagaagomiin), and blueberries (miinan). In late September, cranberries (mashkiigimiin) emerge. These berries are usually the sign of summer and summer solstice. Strawberries cues many
June is a turtley amazing month! With the warm weather, long days, and start to spring, our turtle friends are on the move. Here are four easy ways that you can help them this summer. 1) Brake for Turtles! One of the biggest threats to turtles is facing traffic while in search of habitat, food,
Providing Vegetable Planters for our Community at a Time of Need A new campaign called “Growing Together” is going to help people grow a little bit of their own fresh food. The Georgian Bay Biosphere is working with partners to have ready-to-grow planters of vegetables and herbs safely delivered under Covid-19. The campaign goal is
With spring comes many discoveries: migrating birds, singing frogs, and surprising flowers. What better way to welcome in the new season than listening to these sounds and looking for these sights? Recording species that you see throughout the entire year is a great way to learn more about our natural environment at home. These sightings
There is no better time to become a backyard birder than right now! Rarely do we get the opportunity and time to see spring migration happening right in our backyards. Focus your eyes to the sky, trees, shrubs, and the ground to see what feathered friends are arriving as winter melts away. Create a yard
The Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (GBBR) is a dynamic, community-based organization looking to fill the position of a First Nations Liaison to assist with the delivery of a Species at Risk Project for the Biosphere region. The candidate will be grounded in Anishinaabek teachings and understandings including governance/leadership awareness; able to adeptly and respectfully navigate
Position Description: the Biosphere Interpretive Guide will be primarily responsible for developing and delivering weekly educational programs and public outreach pertaining to local ecology and the Georgian Bay Biosphere to a variety of audiences. Wages: $16.00/hour Duration: May 4th 2020 – August 28th, 2020 Application Deadline: 5:00 pm March 6th, 2020 To Apply:
“ICECAP” is launching. The “Integrated Community Energy and Climate Action Plan” project is a way for all area municipalities and First Nations to understand their greenhouse gas emissions, set targets to reduce them, and implement plans for action – thereby saving them and their residents money. Coordinated by the Georgian Bay Biosphere, ICECAP is a
In partnership, the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (GBBR) and the Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth (GBAY) are seeking applicants for the Indigenous Education Intern (IEI) position. The IEI will be primarily responsible for developing and delivering Indigenous environmental education programs and public outreach pertaining to the Georgian Bay Biosphere, to a variety of audiences. Application Deadline
The Species at Risk Field Technician will support the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve and its partners in the delivery of the Community Nominated Priority Places (CNPP) project.The CNPP project aims to assess local populations of species at risk, their associated threats, and respond with appropriate conservation practices. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting
Congratulations to Johna Hupfield, our annual Spirit of the Biosphere Award winner! Gichi-apiitendaagwad! Johna is an educator, artist, mentor and mother, among many roles in our community. She teaches Indigenous Studies at Parry Sound High School and has been involved with the GBBR’s activities since 2008 as an active part of our Education Advisory Committee
On our first draw of the new year, the Ace of Spades was finally found in envelope #36. Congrats to Stu Fargher who won $5,647! Huge thank you to all the volunteer and business ticket sellers, truly we could not have done this without the volunteer support. Thank you also to the hundreds of ticket
For many people, winter signifies the time to put out bird feeders and bring nature closer in your backyard. This interaction enhances appreciation for nature and engages us in learning about birds and their needs, but also can lead to increased psychological well-being. When done properly, supplementing local birds with seeds and suet can help
The holiday season is coming up! Consider these giving ideas: 1. Pay it forward. There are hundreds of worthy charities in Canada and around the world who rely on donations. Instead of the classic gift card, pass along the good will to those in need. 2. Buy gifts close to home. When we purchase gifts
GBBR is seeking a dynamic, motivated Community Development Intern to assist in the development and coordination of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve’s programs, such as the Integrated Community Energy and Climate Action Plans (ICECAP) and the Community Nominated Priority Place (CNPP) to support species at risk. ICECAP is a partnership between First Nations and municipalities
We are hiring! GBBRis a dynamic, community-based organization looking to fill the position of a Tourism Product Developer. Do you have a passion for outdoor adventure? We are looking for someone with experience to enhance the products, packages and itineraries within the Georgian Bay Biosphere region with our partners. If you have the necessary technical
We are hiring! GBBRis a dynamic, community-based organization looking to fill the position of Executive Administrator-Office Manager. The candidate will have strong administrative, social, organizational and computer skills combined with the ability to work independently and have a strong interest in community development.The successful candidate will provide critical administrative support for the management, staff and
This spring, the UN released a scientific report that shows a million species are at risk of extinction, many within decades. The Government of Canada committed to doubling the amount of protected nature across lands and oceans, in an effort to protect the habitats vital to the survival of important Canadian species. On September 4,
Area municipalities are taking climate change seriously. With support from the Georgian Bay Biosphere, councils were asked to support a resolution to join the national “Partners for Climate Protection” program and commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is a program that over 350 municipalities in Canada have already joined. Those that have signed a
The Mnidoo-gamii – Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth Initiative, led by the GBBR and its Cultural Advisory Circle partners, is seeking applicants for the position of Indigenous Youth Assistant. Deadline to apply is August 23rd, 2019 @ 4pm. View the Job Description and application instructions.
The Georgian Bay Biosphere will be holding a “Catch the Ace” progressive lottery to raise funds for conservation and education programs. Tickets will be sold weekly starting July 26th and a draw will be held every Thursday evening. “Our fundraising committee had a long list of ideas and decided to try this one because it
Boozhoo Kiinaweya! Greetings everyone! Zhowshkawabunokwe miinwaa Kyla ndizhnikaaz, Waabzheshii ndoodem, Shawanaga ndoonjeba, Anishinabekwe ndaaw. My Anishinabe name translates to Blue Dawn, my given name is Kyla. I am a member of the Marten clan, Shawanaga is my home, and I am an Anishinabekwe. I have been working with the Biosphere for a little over a
Lessons-in-a-Backpack supported by National Sciences and Engineering Research Council The Government of Canada wants every young person to discover a passion for science and has dedicated $11.9 million in funding through 163 grants under the PromoScience Program. One of those grants is going to the Georgian Bay Biosphere’s (GBB) core education program, “Lessons-in-a-Backpack” for students
The Georgian Bay Biosphere is celebrating its 15th anniversary and they have an ambitious donor campaign underway. GBBR uses Earth Week to raise awareness about living more sustainably as well as raising donations. Their environmental education work will once again be supported at the Biosphere bake sale, taking place at their office on 11 James
Barb, owner of my Gbay Is it the iconic windswept pines? The fresh and sparking clean water? Perhaps the jaw-dropping sunsets or the friendly boaters waving as they cruise by? There are so many reasons to love Georgian Bay, and anyone that lives here or has ever visited can tell you theirs. In fact, they
Climate change is an urgent priority for our children and grandchildren. “We all have a responsibility to reduce the harm of greenhouse gas emissions and find creative and adaptive solutions to protect the biosphere,” says Becky Pollock, executive director. “We also see opportunities to lead on energy efficiencies and energy production that provides and supports
Join Biosphere guides to kayak the Pickerel and French River outlets and explore an ecological gem within the biosphere reserve. Geologically, glacial melt waters have carved wondrous formations in the rock. Learn about the role of coastal wetlands and biodiversity, cultural harvests and trade routes and see how this ecosystem responds to the recent forest
Julie & Dave This is an August, 2018 photo of Vancouver couple Julie Pett & Dave West enjoying Georgian Bay following their wedding in Fenelon Falls. Dave grew up in Parry Sound along the shore of Georgian Bay. Since meeting at Queens’ University, the couple completed their Master programs at UBC and have since been
The Georgian Bay Biosphere (GBB) and the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council (EGBSC) are working together to foster stronger stewardship work for eastern Georgian Bay and inland lakes. This strategic alignment will be initiated with members from both boards sitting on a new Stewardship Committee. Terry Crawford, Chair of EGBSC said that: “under the excellent
Boozhoo Kiinaweya! Zhowshkawabunokwe miinwaa Kyla ndizhnikaaz, Waabzheshii ndoodem, Shawanaga ndoonjeba, Anishinabekwe ndaaw. Greetings everyone! My Anishinabe name translates to Blue Dawn, my given name is Kyla. I am a member of the Marten clan, Shawanaga is my home, and I am an Anishinabekwe. For four weeks this summer, the Shawanaga First Nation Healing Centre hosted
Have you practiced searching for animal signs in your backyard? Have you given a helping hand to a species at risk? Have you collected photos of your neat nature findings? If you own the first edition of the Kids in the Biosphere Activity Booklet, your answers to these questions will be “Yes!” Released by the
One of the best ways to study the state of Georgian Bay is to look at the fish community, and specifically whether each species of fish is naturally reproducing – or if the population is declining. Fish are a useful indicator of aquatic ecosystem health because they reflect changes in nutrients, prey availability, water quality
Think about what makes life possible under water. Phosphorus is the “food” that microscopic plants and animals need to survive. As the foundation of our food web in Georgian Bay, phosphorus is an important nutrient for us to measure when we study the health of our ecosystem. You can imagine that there wouldn’t be many
The home of the great blue heron, feeding grounds for rattlesnakes and fox snakes, and breeding habitats for numerous amphibians are all being threatened. These are the coastal wetlands of Georgian Bay and they are essential to a healthy environment. Unfortunately, wetlands across the world are at risk from shoreline modifications invasive species and from
Many of us love hearing the call of a loon or seeing a majestic bald eagle. These species are the top of the food chain, relying on a healthy diet of fish. But what feeds the fish that they eat? Scientists are researching what they call “the lower food web” in Georgian Bay, and we
When the United Nations launched the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 1970, one of its main goals was to conserve landscapes, ecosystems, individual species and genetic variation. Core protected areas within a biosphere reserve, such as national and provincial parks, provide the physical space—or ecosystems—species need to thrive. In eastern Georgian Bay, we have
Georgian Bay is warming, our local food web is collapsing, and invasive species are on the rise. With each passing decade, we make the ecosystems upon which we depend more vulnerable. Isn’t it time we stopped putting so much carbon dioxide into our own atmosphere? The most powerful computers on earth show that warmer winters
Since the Industrial Revolution, when we began burning coal and then oil, people have been changing the planet’s climate. According to NASA and the world’s scientists, burning fossil fuels and other human activities has increased the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere from 280 parts per million to 400 parts per million in the last
Monarch Butterfly. Eastern Foxsnakes. Massasauga Rattlesnakes. Whip-poor-will. Bald Eagle. Blanding’s Turtle. Little Brown Bat. Lake Sturgeon. What do all of these species have in common? Not only are they iconic species that we can find in our Biosphere, but all of these are also species at risk of extinction. Eastern Georgian Bay is home to
Do you ever wonder about the state of Georgian Bay? How is the water and habitat for wildlife and fish? How is climate change affecting the Parry Sound area? In 2008, conservation groups asked the same questions and launched a research program that led to the first “State of the Bay” report in 2013 to
Over 200 people attended Building Our Bridge: Our Journey to Reconciliation at the Stockey Centre on November 9th to support student’s work at Parry Sound High School. The book was read at area elementary schools to over 700 students, many of whom attended the event with their families. Each page of the book was
Silhouettes and cartoon images of bats are common sights as Halloween approaches. At a time when local bat species are beginning their hibernation or have already migrated, these illustrations portray a simple version of one of nature’s most complex mammals. Bats might seem spooky at first, but they play a vital role in the ecosystem
A two-year research project has begun to understand the species, populations and ranges of local bats that are considered species-at-risk. The Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve is undertaking a broad survey as a first step in strengthening the knowledge base for biologists and the public concerning bats in eastern Georgian Bay. For this project, a “bat
On Saturday June 10th, over 150 people came out to count the species in Killbear Provincial Park. It was part of a “Bioblitz” where experts helped people to observe nature and learn about biodiversity. Fifteen different sessions were offered throughout the day, from early birding to late night owl prowls and moth identification. Other guided
Scientists use surveys to learn which plants and animals are in an ecosystem, sometimes referred too as measuring biodiversity. The more different types (or species) of animals and plants are found, the greater the biodiversity! This system is also a good way to monitor changes in what species are present. This system can turn up
