What we do
"On the earliest National Geographic Society maps of Canada, only one name appeared on the great empty expanse of the eastern shore of Georgian Bay; south of Parry Sound - Manitou Dock. This was the name of the steamboat landing that served just about everyone who cottaged or lived near Twelve Mile Bay and it made us the best known, in fact the only known name on those early maps. As the current President of Manitou Association and steward of the island I will protect the island for the purpose of conserving its natural & cultural character while allowing the public to appreciate its beauty.
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What we do
A land trust is an organization that acts as the steward for private land through the protection and promotion of its protection for the common good.
Stewardship
The GBLT stewards over 2,000 acres of GBLT properties, partner properties, and other natural areas on both private and public land along the eastern shore of Georgian Bay and the North Channel. This includes islands, wetlands and general mainland properties, many of which harbour vegetation and species that have regional, provincial and global significance. All are protected for the purpose of conserving the natural and cultural character of the properties and to provide the public with the opportunity to appreciate Georgian Bay's rugged beauty.
Stewards of the properties, all volunteers, make sure that protected properties are used only in ways which will not have a deleterious impact on the area's environment. Camping and fires are forbidden. Sensitive nesting or spawning areas are isolated and protected. Each of the protected properties undergoes an initial and then annual environmental assessment and inventory to track any changes or trends.
Partnership
In addition, the GBLT works to promote the appropriate appreciation and use of the entire archipelago. We work in association with other Georgian Bay organizations (click to see the full list), and present a variety of public education courses on the geological, environmental and historic significance of this unique region.
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.