Submitted by the Men’s Breakfast
The July 13th Men’s Breakfast featured Elizabeth Thorn who provided an overview of the many activities of the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association (BPBA). Although she remains on the Board of Directors, Elizabeth has recently stepped down as Chair of the BPBA after a very successful 14-year term. Prior to that, she had also served for 11 years as volunteer CEO/Executive Director. During her tenure as volunteer Chair, Elizabeth initiated and managed projects ranging from research, monitoring, planning and evaluation, to community engagement and on-the-ground restoration. Through successful grant writing she raised several million dollars for Biosphere programs.
The BPBA is a registered charity with a mandate to “Build community commitment and capacity through conservation and sustainable development to achieve concrete environmental goals.” Their activities involve research, planning, education, demonstration, monitoring, protection, restoration and evaluation across a wide range of ecosystems and ecological themes. These include rivers and inland lakes, karst aquifers, wetlands, shorelines, nearshore, forests alvars, the night sky (‘dark skies’) and climate action.
One of their signature programs is the “Six Streams Initiative” which focuses on streams located in active agricultural areas. The primary aim was to improve water quality by restoring stream banks (riparian planting) and providing cattle watering systems to prevent destruction of stream banks and stream beds. Results have been impressive with, for example, 6,000 cattle removed from direct stream access via 71 watering systems and 25 km of fencing; 50 septic systems replaced and 150 inspected; and, to date, 7 years of water quality monitoring.
Additional notable programs include the acquisition and protection of a 100-acre wetland in NBP; groundbreaking research on our famous red-headed woodpecker, karst research in the Judges Creek and Albemarle Brook watersheds; bioremediation research involving the removal and recovery of phosphate from agricultural wastewater; and the removal of phragmites from numerous wetlands.
Education and demonstration activities are very popular and the BPBA provides a wide range of exiting outdoor programs. Of particular note, is the long-standing and well attended Bayside Astronomy program held in Lions Head and various other localities. Started by Elizabeth, Bayside features volunteer astronomers showcasing our star-studded sky to motivate its protection by using dark sky lighting techniques. Over the past 10 years, it has attracted 20,000 tourists and local residents during July and August.
Another program started by Elizabeth is EcoAdventures, a sustainable tourism initiative offering guided tours for a fee that inspire and equip people to enjoy outdoor experiences designed to increase participants’ wish to preserve nature. EcoAdventures being offered include outdoor escape rooms, “Brave the Caves” featuring Greig’s Caves, Full Moon Snowshoe journey , Snowshoe the Grotto, Owl Prowl and various themed night hikes.
BPBA has developed a detailed “Conservation and Stewardship Plan” that outlines community action initiatives on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula relating to important local actions. Through this plan, the BPBA has proved significant input to the Municipal Economic Development Plan; the multi-stakeholder Sustainable Tourism Plan; and the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law. The community is directly engaged through the Environmental Network, consisting of local environmental and land management organizations and agencies playing a significant role in sound environmental practices, protection, restoration and sustainability.
Climate action has focused on widespread electrification (“Electrify Everything”) which has resulted in the installation of 50 Level 2 charges in 2022 and conducting a series of Heat Pump Workshops. “Climate friendly” family outdoor events were held in Tobermory and Lion’s Head in March of this year with games, prizes and a free lunch to help engage families in climate awareness.
The Gravel Gran Fondo is an extremely popular event held each year (https://www.brucegravelfondo.com/). The 2024 event will be held on October 6th and is already completely sold out. The event involves gravel road bike riding on the east side of the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula between Lion’s Head Lighthouse and Cabot Head. Rides of 115km, 80km and 30km following the Georgian Bay shore are featured.
Our next Men’s Breakfast will be September 7th. Our speaker will be Daryl Cowell, Men’s Breakfast part time MC, and local karst geologist who will provide a presentation on unique groundwater and wastewater disposal issues on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula. Our peninsula consists almost entirely of heavily fractured dolostone that is susceptible to the formation of deep surface cracks, conduits, and caves. All this presents challenges to wells, septics and specific wastewater disposal.
If you are planning to attend, please contact Steve at mensbreakfastnsbp@gmail.com
