May 5 Outing – E-Bikes & Ecosystems: Identifying Forest Invaders
Submitted by Moira Parker
Registration is now open for the 2026 Sources of Knowledge Forum, taking place May 1–3 at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Tobermory.
This year’s Forum is focused on Invasive Species, a topic that is becoming increasingly visible across the Peninsula and the Great Lakes region. Invasive species are plants and animals that have been introduced, often unintentionally, outside of their natural range. Without the predators or controls that exist in their native environments, they can spread quickly, displace native species, and change how ecosystems function.
Over the course of the weekend, speakers will look at how these species are arriving, what impacts are already being seen in the region, and how scientists and land managers are responding. The program includes work being done in local parks, coastal wetlands, and inland ecosystems, alongside broader Great Lakes research.
For those interested in seeing these impacts firsthand, you can join us for an outing on May 5. E-Bikes & Ecosystems: Identifying Forest Invaders, delivered in partnership with The Meeting Place Tobermory, will take participants into local forested areas with Parks Canada Resource Management Technician Anna Fletcher.
The guided ride (approximately 8.5 km) will focus on identifying invasive forest species and understanding what they are doing to the landscape. The event runs from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, starting at the Tobermory e-bike rental kiosk (20 Centennial Drive). Space is limited, and advance registration is required through emailing The Meeting Place at info@tobermorymeetingplace.com. Participants will receive a discount on e-bike rentals, with proceeds supporting The Meeting Place Tobermory.
Earlier this month, SOK partnered with The Meeting Place to host a screening of Thinking Beyond the Market, a documentary by University of Waterloo professor Dr. Brian Doucet. Despite rainy weather, approximately 40 people attended the April 2 event at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre.
The film examines affordable housing across Canada and led to a discussion focused on what those challenges look like locally. Questions from the audience touched on housing for seasonal workers, how projects are funded, and what role municipalities can play. One idea discussed was leasing municipal land to non-profit organizations to support long-term affordable housing development. Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson attended and encouraged residents to continue bringing forward ideas.
SOK’s talk series continues later this spring. On May 21, Willy Waterton will present Salt of the Earth: People of Bruce County, sharing stories rooted in the local community. On June 11, Dr. James Conolly will present on the recently identified Ashbridge’s Bay shipwreck, exploring its place in Great Lakes history. We’re excited to announce that recordings of past SOK talks are now available on Spotify. Search “SOK Talks” to revisit favourite presentations or catch up on what you’ve missed. We’re thrilled to bring this new way of sharing these conversations to a wider audience. More details on upcoming talks will be shared soon.
These events offer a chance to learn about issues shaping the region and to hear directly from the people working on them. More information on the Forum, including registration details, is available at sourcesofknowledge.ca or by emailing info@sourcesofknowledge.ca.
