Diving for Conservation: The Biosphere’s Inaugural PADI Women Dive Day Fundraiser

Submitted by Mia Toose

TOBERMORY — On July 17–19, the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association (BPBA) in partnership with Dive Life Tobermory hosted an inaugural fundraising event, Women Beneath the Surface: Diving for Conservation in Fathom Five National Marine Park. 

While scuba divers flock to Tobermory for world-class shipwreck diving, many leave believing there is little wildlife to see beneath the waves. The weekend-long event focused on citizen science of the nearshore waters, while celebrating women in diving, and raising funds for the Biosphere’s conservation projects. The freshwater ecosystems of the Great Lakes are rich, vibrant, and waiting to be understood. The weekend brought together seven divers and 14 snorkelers—ranging from local residents to participants traveling from as far as Florida and Honduras.

The fundraiser allowed women of all ages to dive into conservation by learning how to be active participants in preserving and protecting the unique environment. 

The event kicked off Friday evening with the Waves of Change Reception & Citizen Science Seminar by local ecologist, educator, and artist Jenna McGuire on Lake Huron’s often under-researched underwater biodiversity. On Saturday afternoon, participants gathered at the Tobermory Community Centre for a catered Lunch & Learn, where McGuire taught underwater sketching to deepen observation skills. Participants also learned how their photographs can be used to help local conservation efforts by using the iNaturalist app—a handy tool for both above and underwater photo ID that is shared with the scientific community.

Saturday’s thunderstorms and northern wildfire air quality concerns put a slight delay on diving, prompting BPBA Board Chair Victoria Lant to joke, “Doesn’t Mother Nature know we are trying to raise money for her?!” Sunday delivered fair weather and participants explored four of the top shallow-water wrecks in the area, including, Sweepstakes/City of Grand Rapids, W.L. Wetmore, James C. King and Charles P. Minch. Equipped with slates and cameras, participants logged aquatic life to upload to iNaturalist, contributing real data to local biodiversity tracking. 

Avid scuba diver Kristin Paterakis based in Delray Beach, Florida, was stunned by the beauty of the freshwater lakes. “I have a new appreciation for the history, culture and wildlife of Canada that is so unique compared to other diving I’ve done throughout the world,” says Paterakis. “To be able to witness historic shipwrecks and contribute to conservation projects alongside empowering women was so inspiring. I hope to come back to explore more—maybe with a few extra layers to keep warm.”

According to PADI, “When the initiative began 11 years ago, women made up 35 percent of recreational divers and fewer than 18 percent of PADI dive professionals. Today, those metrics have jumped to 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively.” That is the power of publicly celebrating underrepresented groups. When women see themselves reflected in roles from which they were historically excluded, it reshapes cultural norms and drives systemic change. 

While this event celebrates women underwater, the Biosphere’s ultimate goal is to inspire all divers and snorkelers to become citizen scientists. All event profits made through bookings at Dive Life Tobermory and then donated back to the Biosphere directly support the Biosphere’s ongoing environmental conservation initiatives, from water quality monitoring to wetland restoration and dark sky preservation.

A huge thank you to Dive Life Tobermory, Parks Canada, Jenna McGuire, Biosphere volunteers and our incredible participants. To learn more or get involved, visit bpba.ca.