History
"My hope is that a walk on Sandy will always be a bit of a walk 'on the wild side'. And I hope that one day my grandson will explore the island with his child or grandchild and the magic will play out again. Please remember......if you visit Sandy....take care of yourself! Take care of the island!"
Formation
In 1976 the Georgian Bay Association (GBA) was planning the creation of the Township of Archipelago (TOA) along the eastern shoreline of Georgian Bay. Dr. Ross Lord, Dean of the University of Toronto's School of Practical Science and Founder of the Conservation Authority of Toronto, first brought forward the notion of protecting that regions's environment through a land trust - an organization that acts as steward to protect and preserve private land for the common good.
In 1981 the Sans Souci & Copperhead Association (SSCA), on behalf of the GBA Standing Committee of the Archipelago, retained Dr. Norman Pearson to provide input and review the draft Official Plan of the TOA. Dr. Pearson suggested the creation of a land trust as a foundation could be a useful planning tool for the Township.
While the idea of a land trust was not taken up by either municipal or provincial government, concerned lovers of the bay saw it as a viable tool for preserving the environment. In 1991, under the leadership of Wally King, the Incorporation and registration of the Georgian Bay Foundation Trust, Inc. (also known as the Georgian Bay Land Trust) as a tax exempt corporation was completed.
Founding donors were sought, and stepped forward with considerable donations that gave the Land Trust a firm base to start from. A complete list of the Founders, who provided critical help with gifts of $5,000 or more or who give an annual amount of $5,000 can be found on the Founders page
One of the first properties received by the Land Trust was Friend Island in the Pointe au Baril area. The Honourable Hal Jackman, then Lieutenant Governor of the Ontario, dedicated the Island at a ceremony in 1992. The GBLT now owns or manages 25 properties totaling over 1,100 acres and assists in stewardship of thousands more acres. They can all can be discovered through the Protected Properties section of the site.
The Foundation is a founding member of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance and is also a member of the Canadian Land Trust Alliance and the Land Trust Alliance in the United States.
The Georgian Bay Land Trust seeks to preserve the unique archipelago and the adjacent water bodies which lie along the eastern shore and North Channel of Georgian Bay that are of ecological, geological and historical importance, and to promote the appreciation of this special area.