PaBIA's eBlast December 9, 2020

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Volume 12 No. 33

Greetings!

How did we get to December already? Some have said - only 5 more moons before it is cottage time again! (credit Brad H.)

We have attached a DRAFT of the 2021 Calendar (on the right hand side) for your access. Please know these dates/events may change, but we thought many might be eager to know about next year now! It's always fun to look ahead! (Sure beats looking backwards!)

Bill Culp, MP Supervisor, is looking ahead to the summer to see if anyone is interested or knows anyone interested in becoming a MP for this next summer!

And as we reflect back on 2020, we are so grateful for the non profits that all help to keep PaB and all of Georgian Bay pristine and natural. Please consider donating to GBA, GBLT, GBF and GBB (formerly GBBR).

And if we don't connect again before the new year, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

In this eBlast:

IPCA (Indigenous Protected Conservation Area) Survey
Marine Patrol 2021 Applicants sought!
Fall Off Season Cottage Patrol in Pictures
Calling for Yearbook Submissions
Bay Notes IPCA Special Edition
GBF The Bay Still Needs us to Give
GBLT Tis the Time of Year to Give
GBB Donate Now To Make a Difference
Lake Michigan-Huron Water Levels - Dec 4, 2020
FOUND - An Aluminum Ramp
In Memoriam - John Orviss

Of Interest

Shawanaga Island – Indigenous Protected Conservation Area ( IPCA)

PaBIA has been asked by our Shawanaga First Nations neighbours to help circulate a brief survey asking about individuals usage of Shawanaga Island. Although we have communicated that the enclosed map does not clearly indicate the perimeter of Shawanaga Island, if inclined, when responding to the survey please indicate the areas in and around Shawanaga Island that you do use.

There are 4 pieces of information that you all might want to read before doing the survey ... Two are below, and if you click on them, you can download the article. The other two can be accessed via these links: The Shawanga Vision and What Does this All Mean?

Survey Deadline extended to December 18, 2020 - SURVEY LINK

WANTED:

Two Marine Patrol Applicants for 2021

Do you, or someone in your family, have an interest and ability to serve your community? Protect the environment? Participate in scientific testing? Promote boating safety and the interests of a dynamic community association?

The Pointe au Baril Islanders’ Association (PaBIA) is seeking students currently enrolled in grade 12 or university/college with a strong interest in the local environment, protecting community quality of life, and promoting better boating safety.

The employment period is Saturday, June 21 to Monday, September 2, 2021. Training will be provided from June 21st—June 30th.

The Marine Patrol position demands maturity, dedication, and teamwork. Individuals will be required to work autonomously, follow well-defined protocols, and demonstrate sound decision-making in advancing PaBIA’s agenda and those of its partners: Georgian Bay Land Trust and Canadian Coast Guard. It is a ‘resume-worthy’ position with attractive compensation for students that are looking for a demanding position with serious responsibilities.

A detailed job description can be found here or at PaBIA's website . For those students interested in a Marine Patrol position, please apply for the 2020 Summer Program by email with:

a cover letter,
resume
references

to both: Bill Culp, Marine Patrol Supervisor, and Nancy Rogers, PaBIA Secretary-Treasurer.

US citizens are welcome to apply!

The DEADLINE for receipt of all resumes is February 21, 2021.

Telephone interviews will be conducted March 8th – March 12, 2021.

Successful candidates will be notified by March 22, 2021.

2020 Fall Off Season Cottage Patrol is Complete!

If you haven't heard directly from Nancy Rogers, you many assume your cottage has been visited, the patrolman tag punched or replaced (if you were unable to get to your cottages this year), and that all is well!

Any and all reports with photos were sent to owners as soon as Nancy received them from Bruce Tiffin. All of the problems reported were storm related - the high winds, causing big waves and large water level rise (which later subsided) were the causes of all of them.

Some doors and windows blown open, trees down (and glass railings smashed, as seen to the right) or tree limbs broken, dock ramps and dock damages.

Where he was able to, Bruce closed and secured both windows and doors. In one special case, he found a floating dock inside a boathouse where it had floated above the interior floor boards when the water was high. Then when the water level receded, it left the floating dock wedged partly on top of the boathouse floor! Bruce went to the trouble to pry it off and put it back into its proper position. Time and again, Bruce goes "above and beyond" his job description!

PaBIA sends its many thanks to Bruce! We are so grateful for your eyes and ears on the ground for us when we cannot be there!

Quick Reminder for

Submissions to the

2021 Yearbook!

Please remember that stories about this past summer are ALWAYS welcome for Yearbook 2021. It's fun to reminisce and then write about whatever caught your imagination. This past summer was like no other - so let's record it. What was different? What was the same? What new adventures did you try?

Please let Hilde know that you would like to submit a story or article by at least year's end to ensure the possibility of including it in the Yearbook for 2021! Remember, this is YOUR book...and the submissions are what make it awesome!

BAY NOTES -

Ward 3 Councillors

Here are the topics in the BAY NEWS that you may wish to read in depth...which can be done by emailing Scott or Earl to request to be put on their direct mailing list.

Shawanaga IPCA Land Use Survey

Survey Deadline: Extended to December 18th

We encourage you to participate in a survey from Shawanaga Island Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) to document historical and current use of this land.

The following description is from the IPCA Coordinator for Shawanaga First Nation, Mr. Chris Burtch: "Shawanaga First Nation is in the initial stages of creating a management plan for Shawanaga Island that balances responsible use of the land and protection of the island for the next seven generations for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In order to be well informed in our drafting of the management plan and ensure that it is reflective of our members and neighbours alike, we created a survey to gather input on how you enjoy the lands and waters of Shawanaga Island. All answers submitted will remain anonymous."

SURVEY LINK

As GBF Celebrates these Days of Giving, Remember the Bay Still Needs You....

We are making great strides in protecting our water from threats like:

microplastics/fibres;
raw sewage overflows;
Phragmites;
climate change; and
many others

We can't stop now! And we can't do it without you!

Donors, partners and key collaborators are essential and critical to ensuring the Bay can continue to be enjoyed by our kids' kids' kids!

If you have given already this year, we thank you from the bottom of the Bay. But if you haven't, please consider doing so now! Click on the link below and make your gift today. You can choose to give annually or monthly!

Donate Today

Giving To GBLT:

Thank you to all who give!

We are so grateful to all the property donors, loyal supporters, land stewards, and all partners whose vision and generosity have contributed to the protection and conservation of Georgian Bay's wilderness lands. Thank you for your passion and commitment!

This Giving Tuesday, you can make a difference in protecting Georgian Bay's incredible biodiversity by making a donation to support land conservation. Together, we can leave a lasting legacy of healthy, wild places for future generations.

Donate now to make a difference for Georgian Bay

The Georgian Bay Biosphere team would like to thank each and every one of YOU for your incredible support in 2020! We appreciate your engagement online with us, lending a hand when needed, discussing our work with your friends, and participating in events - it all has a big impact.

Water Quality

20 sites sampled as part of water quality monitoring
6,000 benthic macroinvertebrates counted

Species at Risk (CNPP Project)

1,014 turtle hatchlings released
162 road surveys completed
5,000+ km biked by staff over five months

Culture

9 Georgian Bay Anishinabek Youth Advisory Circle members
10 days of paddling Oshkinigig (the birch bark canoe) shared overall by 27 people
30 Indigenous youth activities or events

Education

520 people signed up for eight webinars
490 people toured Huckleberry Island guided by Biosphere staff
6,700 views of the 52 videos added to GBB's YouTube channel

Climate Action

215+ carbon calculator entries representing 540+ people
5 community GHG emission baselines calculated and forecasted
6 members & 18 partners established in ICECAP

You are the reason we are able to protect Georgian Bay and

help create vibrant communities, thank you!

Please Donate Here

Lakes Michigan/Huron Water Levels Dec 8, 2020

To better read the charts, please click on the chart for the

Daily or Six Month Forecast Water level chart and the corresponding websites

FOUND - Aluminum Ramp

It has been suggested to put your Island # on each of your docks, so as to be able to ID them easily!

This aluminum ramp was found 'floating'

near the west beach of A145-1.

Please contact Nancy should you believe it might be yours!

Yearbook Update

With each eBlast, we will provide you a list of names for those who provided updated information. The details of all the changes since the Yearbook's came out in April is provided in a printable format for you to print out and insert into your own Yearbook copy! As of October 18