By: Hilde Clark

The Pointe au Baril Islanders’ Association (PaBIA) was formed in 1908 when a group of cottagers on the Ojibway Island Hotel’s docks felt, with the growing concerns of cottagers, an association was needed to look after health, fire, boating safety, environment, water quality and the like. The cottagers came to Pointe au Baril, as they did up and down the Georgian Bay coastline, to ‘return’ to nature – to get away from the city pace. Today, we are the largest association in eastern Georgian Bay with over 700 households (about 1500 individuals) who feel an obligation to give back to this unique habitat so we can keep it pristine and safe – thus our support of GBBR.

Over the many years, PaBIA has continued to pursue those interests and concerns in the areas of Environment (Fish & Forestry and Wildlife, Water Quality, Water Levels, Marine Patrol as Crown Land monitors, programs such as the PaBIA Naturalist), as well as Member Safety, Member Activities, Government and Ratepayer Regulatory Affairs and Governance. The Communications and Marketing Team produces our annual Yearbook, PaBIA.ca, eNewsletters and eBlasts to keep our members informed.

Because of our strong mandate to protect and preserve our Georgian Bay natural region, we find GBBR a tremendous resource and go-to organization whenever we have concerns and/or for wish further education on any number of subjects! Together we are a team!

Tues. August 7, 10:00am – Wildlife Murder Mystery for ages 6-12 at the Christie Library, Seguin

Tues. August 7, 9:00am – find the GBBR table at the Parry Sound Summer Market!

Sat. August 11, 10:00am – find GBBR at the Britt 150 Anniversary Celebration at the Britt Recreation Centre

Sun. August 12, 10:00am – State of the Bay presentation at Ojibway Club, Pointe au Baril (boat access) 

Wed. August 15, 11:00am – GBBR will join the Team All Abilities Celebration at Waubuno Beach, Parry Sound

Sat. August 18, 10:00am – 12:00pm – Children’s Water Festival at Fitzgerald Beach, Carling

Tues. August 21, 9:00am – find the GBBR table at the Parry Sound Summer Market!

Sat. August 25, 9:00am – Catch the GBBR booth at the Parry Sound Hunters & Anglers Show at the Mactier Arena

Sat. Sept. 1, Catch the GBBR booth at the Foley Fall Fair

Sat. October 20th, 6:00pm – Seguin Valley Golf Club, Brew Ha Ha, Tickets on sale September 1st

By: Jennine Lowen

The Bob Rumball Camp of the Deaf, also known as the Ontario Camp of the Deaf, has been striving for over 50 years to be a leader in accessible outdoor recreational experiences for the Deaf Community. With no communication barriers, it is a place where Deaf and hard of hearing persons of all ages and abilities can be the “majority” instead of the “minority” as they are in every other aspect of their day to day lives. It is a place to call their own.

In the 1980’s we planted thousands of native trees, shrubs and grasses on the property. Recently, we stabilized watercourses with live staking and planted tree seedlings. We learned from organizations like GBBR and others how we can be better stewards of the land. There is always more to learn, and it is part of our programming to teach campers and staff as much as we can.

We make every effort to buy green cleaning products, and have done significant work to revitalize shorelines. There are duck boxes, bat houses, birdhouses and butterfly gardens that our campers created. In the past 15 years, we have been intentional in our stewardship by being one of the first camps in the area to start a recycling program.

The Deaf Camp strives to be an example to campers and staff to enjoy this beautiful area to the fullest. For many participants, it is the only time they leave the city. We celebrate this jewel of a property by teaching campers to recognize and respect what surrounds them as they enjoy the lakes, rivers, and trails throughout the property. 

Thurs. July 12, 10:30am – Wildlife Murder Mystery for ages 6-12 at the Honey Harbour Public Library

Thurs. July 12, 7:00pm – State of the Bay: Georgian Bay’s Ecosystem Health at Rosseau Memorial Hall, part of the Segiun Speaker Series

Sat. July 21, 10am – Explore Our Shores Guided Paddle at Crane Lake Resort, 510 Blackstone Crane Lake Rd.

Sun. July 22, 10am – Explore Our Shores Guided Paddle at Gibraltar Point, Bayfield Inlet Coordinates: 45.62072, -80.52114

Tues. July 24, 9:00am – find the GBBR table at the Parry Sound Summer Market!

Wed. July 25, 10:00am – Eat Like a Bird for ages 6-12 at the Foley Library, Seguin

Tues. August 7, 10:00am – Wildlife Murder Mystery for ages 6-12 at the Christie Library, Seguin

Tues. August 7, 9:00am – find the GBBR table at the Parry Sound Summer Market!

Sat. August 11, 10:00am – find GBBR at the Britt 150 Anniversary Celebration at the Britt Recreation Centre

Sun. August 12, 10:00am – State of the Bay presentation at Ojibway Club, Pointe au Baril (boat access only) 

Wed. August 15, 11:00am – GBBR will join the Team All Abilities Celebration at Waubuno Beach, Parry Sound

Sat. August 18, 10:00am – 12:00pm – Children’s Water Festival at Fitzgerald Beach, Carling

Tues. August 21, 9:00am – find the GBBR table at the Parry Sound Summer Market!

Sat. August 25, 9:00am – Catch the GBBR booth at the Parry Sound Hunters & Anglers Show at the Mactier Arena

Sat. Sept. 1, Catch the GBBR booth at the Foley Fall Fair

Sat. October 20th, 6:00pm – Seguin Valley Golf Club, Brew Ha Ha, Tickets on sale September 1st

By: Tay Township

Tay Township—located in north Simcoe County on the southern shore of Georgian Bay—is a strong, cohesive rural community with a permanent population of 10,000. We celebrate and promote our unique history, natural heritage and recreational amenities—including our 18.5-kilometre Tay Shore Trail—as the cornerstone to our quality of life. Our unique villages and towns support a host of events, services and businesses that contribute to a growing local economy and create a unique destination experience for residents and visitors to the Heart of Georgian Bay.

Tay Township is proud to support GBBR. The Township is also a member of Partners for Climate Protection and works closely with other regional environmental organizations, including Georgian Bay Forever, Severn Sound Environmental Association and Sustainable Severn Sound.

Here are a few current projects:

Tay Bike Day – June 16, 2018 at Bridgeview Park

This annual community event promotes use of the Tay Shore Trail, encourages healthy and active transportation, and contributes to the development of new and positive community connections and relationships. Visit tay.ca/events for event details.

Local Climate Change Action Plan

Sustainable Severn Sound is developing a Local Climate Change Action Plan. The plan will include a corporate and community inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, identify GHG reduction targets, and prioritize actions to reduce municipal and community contributions to climate change. Visit sustainablesevernsound.ca for more information.

Energy Conservation

Tay Township continues to improve the energy efficiency of its facilities and processes to reduce energy consumption, operating costs, and GHG emissions. In 2018, the municipality will further invest in energy retrofits by upgrading street lights and lighting at Oakwood Park to light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures.

Visit our website at tay.ca and follow us on Twitter @TayTownship.