Township of Georgian Bay receives first of its kind Wetlands Protection funding through the support of the Georgian Bay Preservation Alliance

Township of Georgian Bay receives first-of-its-kind Wetlands Protection funding through the support of the Georgian Bay Preservation Alliance

March 23rd, 2022—The Georgian Bay Preservation Alliance (GBPA) and the Township of Georgian Bay are

pleased to announce that the Township has received $478,000 in funding from the Ministry of

Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program

(WCPP). The WCPP is a great initiative to help preserve Ontario’s wetlands by working with

environmental preservation groups and deploying support to where it needs to go, like Georgian Bay.

This follows months of GBPA advocacy and effort in working with MECP to help preserve the UNESCO

designated Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere. The Township of Georgian Bay then drafted a plan in

coordination with the MECP. The funding will go towards critical projects administered by partners

such as Georgian Bay Forever, Georgian Bay Land Trust, Sustainable Severn, Sound, Georgian Bay

Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere, and Invasive Phragmites Control.

This funding is a critical step towards ensuring that the wetlands and waterways that feed Georgian

Bay are well looked after, which will ensure a positive environmental impact for years to come. We,

the GBPA and the Township of Georgian Bay, thank MECP again for their support and we look forward

to what our partner organizations are able to accomplish this year through this funding.

“I am very appreciative of the work being undertaken by these organizations. Their efforts will

most definitely be visible on the lands by our local marina and the waterways and roadways around

our community. We are proudly working together with the Township of Georgian Bay to continue to

build a prosperous and healthy environment for the lands around us.“ Chief Rhonda Williams -Lovett,

Moose Deer Point First Nation.

"The Township of Georgian Bay greatly appreciates the support of the Ministry of the Environment,

Conservation and Parks in protecting our wetlands, the kidneys of our environment, from the

destructive invasive phragmites. Wetlands are absolutely vital to the health of our waters and

essential to the survival of many of our threatened wildlife species. This grant was made possible

through the limitless advocacy of the Georgian Bay Preservation Alliance and their support to this

project and others in the Township of Georgian Bay."- Peter Koetsier, Mayor, Township of Georgian Bay

“Environmental protection must begin at the local level if we are to have any hope of preserving

Ontario's beauty for future generations. From the waterways that feed our communities to the

wetlands that are home to our vital ecosystems and species at risk, there has never been a more

critical time to take care of our local water sources. The Georgian Bay Preservation Alliance is

deeply proud that our advocacy has brought funding support for wetlands in the UNESCO designated

Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (the largest freshwater archipelago in the world). This would

not have been possible without the leadership of both Minister Piccini and Mayor Koetsier who have

been outstanding partners and advocates for the beauty of Georgian Bay.” - Jon Telch, Executive

Director of the GBPA ENDS

The Georgian Bay Preservation Alliance is a not-for-profit corporation that provides residents and

cottagers a voice and platform from which we can advocate on issues to promote a balanced approach

to protecting Georgian Bay. We believe the most important attributes of Georgian Bay to protect are

water quality and local environmental well-being.

1. You can find more information about the Georgian Bay Preservation Alliance here:

2. For media inquiries with the Township of Georgian Bay, please contact Jennifer Schnier at

jschnier@gbtownship.ca

3. For media inquiries with the GBPA, please contact Robert at rob_gbpa@outlook.com

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