Environment

The Township of The Archipelago (TOA) has partnered with the Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (GBB) to deliver community programming to ratepayers.

The goal of the partnership between GBB and the TOA is to provide for high quality and accessible environmental information sharing and programming. This means working to increase environmental literacy and awareness among ratepayers within the TOA and increasing the capacity to address/respond to environmental issues, challenges, and opportunities.

Learn what we are doing to reduce our impact on the environment and how you can help by exploring the topics listed below.

Climate & Energy

The Township of The Archipelago (TOA) is an official partner of the Integrated Community Energy and Climate Action Plans (ICECAP) Program. ICECAP is a partnership between municipalities and First Nations in the Georgian Bay Biosphere region for the purpose of a collaborative, more cost-effective approach to energy management and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

TOA Corporate Climate Action Plan (CorpCAP)

The Corporate Climate Action Plan was approved by Council on August 18th, 2023. This document guides greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions for the TOA’s municipal operations. Through the actions outlined in this plan, the TOA will strive to reduce its corporate GHG emissions to 30% below 2016 levels by 2030. As technology advancements allow, the TOA will also strive to achieve net-zero corporate GHG emissions by 2050 or earlier.

Read the full plan here: TOA Corporate Climate Action Plan

TOA Community Climate Action Plan (ComCAP)

The Community Climate Action Plan was approved by Council on August 16th, 2024. This document guides greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions in the Township of The Archipelago (TOA) community. Through the actions outlined in this plan, the TOA will strive to reduce its community GHG emissions to 6% below 2016 levels by 2030. As technology advancements allow, the TOA will also strive to achieve net-zero community GHG emissions by 2050.

Read the full plan here: TOA Community Climate Action Plan

Webinars & Events

Annual Environment Reports

The Township of The Archipelago has partnered with Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere to produce annual Environment Reports. The reports summarize current information on water quality, fish communities, and forest health for the region. Data for these reports is collected with the help of ratepayer associations and volunteers.

Check out the NEW, ArcGIS StoryMap version of the annual Environment Report!

· TOA Environment Report 2025 (coming soon!)

· TOA Environment Report 2024

· TOA Environment Report 2023

· TOA Environment Report 2022

· TOA Environment Report 2021

For copies of older reports (2020 and earlier), please contact The Township of The Archipelago.

If you are interested in becoming a water quality monitoring volunteer, please contact Katrina Krievins, Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere, kkrievins@georgianbaybiosphere.com, 705-774-0978.

Water Quality

Water Quality Program Outline

The water quality monitoring program represents a successful partnership between the Township of The Archipelago, ratepayer associations, and numerous volunteers in areas along the coast and inland lakes that has lasted since its inception in 1999. The volunteer-based program provides an important avenue for relaying information about our environment to ratepayers and for providing valuable information to the Township.

The Township has partnered with the Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (GBB) on environmental programming, which includes coordinating the Township’s water quality monitoring program.

In 2016 the Township recommended changes to its water quality (WQ) monitoring program, with the main recommendation being a shift from bacteria to phosphorus monitoring. Over three years, as part of their Coordinated Nutrient Monitoring Program, GBB worked with partners to review existing nutrient monitoring efforts along eastern Georgian Bay and develop a new set of guidelines and recommendations to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the collective efforts of volunteers, associations, agencies and other organizations.

GBB is encouraging ratepayer associations and volunteers to join or continue with the Lake Partner Program (LPP) to monitor total phosphorus (TP) trends. The LPP is an Ontario-wide, publicly funded, free program that collects data about phosphorus, water clarity, calcium, and temperature from volunteers. The simple tests for TP and water clarity provide a strong basis for assessing the health of the ecosystem, and whether TP is too high or too low. Advantages of the LPP are that it facilitates comparisons with other organizations monitoring on the Bay, as well as Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) monitoring programs. Data collected by volunteers are analyzed by the Dorset Environmental Science Centre which makes all data available online.

If you are interested in becoming a water quality monitoring volunteer, please contact Katrina Krievins, Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere, kkrievins@georgianbaybiosphere.com, 705-774-0978.

Water Quality Program Reports

*after 2018 water quality information is found in the annual Environment Report (see Program Updates & Reports tab)

Forest Stewardship

Read the Caring For Our Waterfront Property handbook to learn about the types of trees and forest conditions found in the Township of The Archipelago. The handbook outlines 13 Forest Zones with the prefix 'N' assigned to the north half of the Township (Harrison & Shawanaga) and 'S' assigned to the south half (Cowper & Conger). This information is provided to assist residents and cottagers with identifying the types of tree species on their property, as well as any associated potential stresses such as pests.

Helpful Links & Resources

· Ministry of Natural Resources Forest Health Conditions

· Ministry of Natural Resources Forest Management Plans

· Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP)

· Ontario Woodlot Association

· Caterpillar ID Guide

· Life on the Bay Stewardship Guide

· Spongy Moth Report (2021)

· Introduced Pine Sawfly Report (2015)

· Westwind Forest Stewardship Inc.

Kids In The Biosphere

Calling all Kids in the Biosphere!

Are you ready for exploration and adventure?

The Township of The Archipelago (TOA) continues to offer the Kids in the Biosphere program in partnership with Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere. This free program provides participating families with activities to keep them outside and learning about nature all summer long. Kids in the Biosphere began in 2013 and has reached hundreds of families!

Families within the TOA register with the program at the beginning of summer and pick up an activity kit with materials and activity instructions. The self-guided activities are designed to last all summer. Beyond nature observation, the activity kits invite families to conduct science experiments, make nature-themed crafts, help local species, and take climate action. Families can also submit photos of their discoveries throughout the summer and complete their activity scorecard to receive a prize. Activities are mainly self-guided, but there are opportunities for families to interact with Biosphere staff and guest experts.

We will back in summer 2026, stay tuned!

Have questions? Email kids@georgianbaybiosphere.com.

For more information about what the Biosphere has to offer youth, please visit georgianbaybiosphere.com/education

Stewardship Resources

· Life on the Bay Stewardship Guide: Helps waterfront homeowners reduce their environmental impact and take positive stewardship actions.

· Turtles on Roads Guide: Includes everything you need to know about finding and helping both injured and uninjured turtles on roadways.

· Building in the Biosphere Habitat Screening Tool: Helps determine the potential for species at risk habitat on, or adjacent to, proposed building sites.

· Planting for Pollinators Guide: Shares information about pollinators, the problems they face, and ways to help, including lists of native plants that support pollinators.

· Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Information Sheet: Learn all about massasauga rattlesnakes, including how to identify and peacefully coexist with them.

For more conservation guides and resources, visit georgianbaybiosphere.com/conservation-guides/

Invasive Species

The Ontario Invasive Plant Council provides expert information on how to manage invasive plants through best management practices.

Check out their website for information and resources, such as fact sheets, best management practices, and alternative plantings.

You can report sightings of invasive species using the EDDMapSOntario website and/or app.

For information about Invasive Phragmites, please visit the Georgian Bay Forever website.