Annual Report 2016

Our relentless pursuit to keep the Bay’s waters clean

Preserving and protecting the Bay’s waters for future generations

How many of us have closed the end of a day relaxing in the glow of one of Georgian Bay’s magnificent sunsets? Or set out by boat in the early morning mist to embrace the relative silence and serene calm of its waters while dangling a worm on the end of a hook? Or snorkelled below its surface to enjoy the beauty of the fish and natural plant life that call the Bay home?

At some point in our lives, we were each drawn to this expansive body of water that we all know and love as Georgian Bay. We have all created memories here, and over the years, we have attracted others to its shores with our stories.
But the pristine waters of Georgian Bay are at risk.

Growing threats from climate change, fluctuating water levels, pollution and invasive species are increasingly threatening to change the waters and ecosystems in our beloved Bay in irreparable ways.

We need to act. Now. Before any serious damage is done.

For more than 20 years, Georgian Bay Forever has heeded the call as the guardian to the waters of this precious Canadian gem. Through the generosity of our donors, we have invested wisely in accredited scientific research and large-scale studies to inform effective short and long-term strategies that will preserve and protect Georgian Bay’s waters and ecosystems. We have devoted our time and expertise to support public education around the Bay, broadened our impact through strategic partnerships, and become an influential voice in informing environmental policies - at all levels of government in both Canada and the United States - that will affect our waters.

Read more about how we’re keeping Georgian Bay’s water clean in this year’s report.

Georgian Bay’s waters are ours to protect

As a long-time cottager in the Sans Souci area of Georgian Bay, I have a vested interest in keeping Georgian Bay’s waters pristine. I’m hoping future generations of my family will get to create incredible memories on, in and beside the water just as my family has done for years. But the threats today to the long-term viability of the Bay’s water are real.

The recent change in government and subsequent new direction in environmental policies south of the border should concern us all. They are a wake-up call, reminding us that we can’t rely solely on governments to address the environmental issues affecting our lakes, rivers and streams. We need to step up to the plate and truly embrace our collective responsibility as guardians of Georgian Bay’s unspoiled waters.

Personally, I have elected to do that through my role as Board Chair of Georgian Bay Forever, and through my participation last summer as a “Phragbuster”, where I worked alongside fellow volunteers as part of a massive community mobilization effort to help cut down and remove the invasive Phragmites that are threatening the Bay’s wetlands. These wetlands play a key role in helping to keep our waters clean, yet this invasive plant is quickly choking the life out of everything in its path. It’s only through our ongoing diligence and collective actions that we will be able to eradicate it.

I’m pleased that so many are heeding our call to join us in our quest to keep the Bay’s waters clean. Whether it’s as a donor, a “Phragbuster”, a board member or a strategic partner, everyone’s participation is valued and appreciated.

In 2016, we conducted a survey to help identify Top Threats to Georgian Bay’s waters. The results of the survey are helping to inform future education and research projects. We will also complete a branding exercise in early 2017 that will help bring greater clarity to our purpose as a guardian of Georgian Bay’s waters.

As a charitable organization that does not receive government based operational funding, we’ve come to recognize and appreciate that it’s the people and businesses in and around Georgian Bay that make what we do possible. Sincere thanks to our donors who contributed $450,000 this year to keep our work on track. We finished the year with a modest deficit, but this made it possible for us to invest in projects essential to achieving our long-term goals. Overall, however, we continue to have a healthy financial position as demonstrated on our balance sheet.

Special thanks to our strategic partners, board members, staff and community volunteers for helping us to discover, develop and implement the solutions that will protect Georgian Bay’s waters today and for generations to come.

Peter Singer

Peter Singer
Board Chair

Fighting Phragmites
with Sans Souci volunteers

Georgian Bay
Courtesy Peter Singer

Applying vision and strategy to advance clean water solutions

I was just 16 years old when I spent a summer on Beausoleil Island as a camper. The following summer I was one of the lucky participants in a Parks Canada youth program on the island. That’s when my passion for Georgian Bay was sealed. Behind every board member, donor, and community volunteer I meet, there’s a similar Georgian Bay story to be told.

Regardless of our reasons for coming to the Bay, what binds us together is our shared passion for the beauty that this great body of water bestows upon us with each visit to its shores. With your help, that’s what Georgian Bay Forever is here to preserve.

Driven by our Vision to ensure the “waters of Georgian Bay are healthy and thriving for future generations”, we fund and support accredited scientific research and large scale studies that focus on three key areas: invasive species prevention and eradication (ecosystems), water level management, and water quality testing.

While many of Georgian Bay Forever’s scientific and public education projects are ongoing initiatives with long-term horizons, we made important strides this year in all three areas:

    Protecting the Bay’s unique ecosystems
    • Our work with the University of Guelph to build an aquatic biodiversity library will, in time, help us to identify coastal areas in need of protection.
    • Our freshwater research, also with the University of Guelph, will help to determine if high density open-pen aquaculture poses a threat to the Bay’s ecosystem.
    • Our partnership with the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council to survey eight tributaries where Walleye, Lake Sturgeon and Sucker species are on the decline will help prioritize sites for remedial action.
    • Our undertaking with municipalities, conservation authorities and community volunteers to remove invasive Phragmites is helping to restore coastal wetlands around the Bay.

    Exploring options for water level management
    • The GBF-commissioned AECOM report on climate resilient structural options for managing water levels in Lake Michigan-Huron and Georgian Bay yielded three prospective options for further review and discussion.

    Improving water quality testing
    • Our continuing efforts to harmonize water testing protocols around the Bay in partnership with the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve will soon lead to better informed water quality research.
    • Our final report assessing bacteria level risk in the Township of Georgian Bay’s waters using microbial source testing confirmed that the water tested was safe. It also introduced this novel scientific method for Georgian Bay decision makers to use for efficient water quality management.

While scientific work takes time, we are already seeing the impressive results that some of our long and short-term investments are yielding, thanks in large part to the many individual and corporate donations that sustain our important endeavours throughout the year.

Over time, we have matured and become a thoughtful, strategically organized and effective group with the ability to move critical issues into the hands of key decision-makers at all levels of government on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border.

Whether you live on the Bay, own a cottage on it, run a business in the area or frequent local parks and public beaches, I hope you will take the time to learn more about our work at Georgian Bay Forever and how you can play a role in helping to preserve these beautiful waters now – and forever.

David Sweetnam
Executive Director

David Sweetnam
Executive Director


Training volunteers in Tay.
online statistics

Education plays a key role in GBF’s activities.

This year, we continued to reach out to people across the Bay’s vast geography - covering close to 40,000 kilometres in green vehicles because we know that many of you are as concerned as we are about keeping our Georgian Bay waters pristine, and simply want to know how to help.

Preserving the Bay’s ecosystems and natural water filtration systems

The Great Lakes support more than 3,500 species, 80 per cent of which rely on Georgian Bay’s coastal wetlands, a high quality habitat for freshwater fish, amphibians and reptiles, insects, birds, and waterfowl, as well as numerous in-water and coastal plant species. The wetlands also act as a water filtration system, performing an important role in maintaining water quality.

Action:
Identifying and protecting the Bay’s biodiversity
Building on work we started with the University of Guelph in 2012, GBF is supporting the development of an aquatic biodiversity library using DNA barcoding to identify all organisms and species living in the Bay. Over time, this detailed digital directory will allow us to quickly and efficiently identify changes, assess human impacts on aquatic ecosystems and develop mitigating strategies to minimize or reverse the damage.
Status:
In 2016, we focused our efforts on adding 83 benthic invertebrates to the library, organisms that live in or on the bottom of sediments in the Bay. These invertebrates are excellent measures of aquatic conditions because they rely heavily on their surroundings.
Next Steps:
Our work lends itself well to making Georgian Bay the most well-documented ecosystem in Canada and internationally. We are working to fund and speed up the process of completing the aquatic biodiversity library so that scientists can use the relatively pristine state of Georgian Bay’s ecosystems as a baseline for assessing other parts of the Great Lakes that require preservation and remediation. Knowing what lives in Georgian Bay will help us to monitor the impact of ecosystem changes over time and identify hotspots that need protection.

Action:
Restoring the Bay’s coastal wetlands
GBF has helped mobilize 21 communities around the Bay in 2016 to help eradicate Invasive Phragmites through education and training. The devastating impact of this reed-like plant can be seen along more than 8,000 kilometres of shoreline and 3,700 kilometres of aquatic wetlands in the eastern and northern portions of Georgian Bay. It displaces local flora, fauna and fish habitats and is a significant threat to the ecological benefits that wetlands provide, including aiding in water quality and nutrient cycling.
Status:
In 2016, GBF educated more than 450 people around the Bay about Invasive Phragmites through a series of workshops and presentations, and joined several communities, including Collingwood and Honey Harbour, in their fight against the invasive plant. Education and access to training pages and videos on our website are working to educate and mobilize other Phrag-fighting communities around the Bay. We also established information-sharing relationships with the Ontario Phragmites Working Group, Ontario Invasive Plant Council and the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative.

Community example - Collingwood Phragbusters
Next Steps:
GBF will continue to expand the fight by reaching out to and partnering with communities and organizations around the Bay to collectively defeat this invasive plant. To date, more than 30 tonnes of invasive Phragmites have been removed from our shorelines.
Fighting Invasive Phragmites in 2016

21 communities Georgian Bay

458 community guardians
2,633 unique visits to GBF’s website training pages
36 hours invested viewing GBF’s educational videos

Want to become a Phragbuster? Join your local Phragbusting group! Engage your community and municipal partners to help stop this plant! And donate to Georgian Bay Forever to support ongoing education, training and removal. Don’t let our coastal wetlands disappear!
Action:
Assessing the impacts of cage aquaculture
GBF has partnered with the University of Guelph to use DNA barcoding and tracer isotopes to look at the effects of open cage aquaculture or net-pen aquaculture “feed” on the local food web in Big Sound, including Colpoy’s Bay, Stokes Bay, Hope and Big Sound (Parry Sound) to determine if it is having an impact on Georgian Bay’s native fish populations, water quality and ecosystems.
Status:
Net Pen Aquaculture

In 2016, we used bio-tracers, following fatty acids and other chemicals through the food web from its base organisms to the top predator species.

We also had two graduate students start a comprehensive literature search and synthesis report on the impact of open cage fish aquaculture on fresh water systems.

Kevin McCann quote
Next Steps:
The final reports will be coming out in 2017.
Action:
Mapping the underwater landscape
GBF continues to collect detailed bathymetric data to map the underwater topography of the Bay. This information will enhance our understanding of habitat changes and, in combination with other data, the effects of these changes on aquatic species. Unseen, the underwater landscape is prone to abuse. Detailed bathymetry is essential to the creation of digital elevation models that are used by scientists and coastal managers to guide investments and inform further research into cost-effective ways to address stressors impacting the Bay.
Status:
Beekeeper picture
Data was collected throughout 2016 using Georgian Bay Forever’s boat, the Baykeeper, and high resolution side scanning sonar systems.

Next Steps:
Data collection will continue in Eastern Georgian Bay in 2017. This work would be greatly expedited by the use of an autonomous underwater vehicle, for which we are raising funds. The vehicle would enable us to generate a three dimensional view of the water and obtain detailed chemical and physical measures of pH levels, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, blue green algae, turbidity, etc. and bathymetry with high resolution scanning sonar. This will allow us to conduct water quality testing using many more indicators than we currently do, with little to no human error, to quickly assess if the areas being tested are under stress, or if the underwater landscape is changing due to unforeseen impacts.
Why donate to Georgian Bay Forever?

We’re the only charitable organization in Georgian Bay that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the waters of the Bay - its water levels, quality and ecosystems. It’s that simple.

At GBF, we believe that the long-term health of the Bay is dependent on three things: Beekeeper picture

  • rallying all those who share our deep and abiding connection to the Bay to help protect and preserve it;
  • investing in research and education to inform and foster innovative, viable and affordable ways to monitor and safeguard the Bay’s health; and
  • sharing our findings with all those in a position to act – individually and collectively – to preserve and protect the Bay – as we have been privileged to know it – for future generations.

If this strikes a chord, join us today. GBF relies on the generosity of like-minded individuals, companies and foundations to support its work, and we stretch your dollars as far as they can possibly go by partnering with other non-profits and by leveraging your contributions to attract matching funds and gifts-in-kind. Help us protect the Bay we all love – today.

Action:
Supporting habitat restoration for diminishing native fish
GBF partnered with the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council to survey eight tributaries over two years. These tributaries in Eastern Georgian Bay are seeing a decline in Walleye, Lake Sturgeon and Sucker species due to over-fishing, water flow manipulation in spawning areas, dam constructions, climate change, pollution and waves of invasive species such as common carp, tubenose goby, invasive Phragmites and Eurasian water milfoil.

Photos by Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council

Photos: 1.Shebeshekong 2. Examining spawning substrate

Status:
GBF helped EGBSC staff with this field work, and provided our boat and sounding equipment to create depth maps. In 2016, the survey focussed on Sucker Creek (Pointe au Baril), and the Magnetawan, Shawanaga, Shebeshekong and Seguin Rivers.
Next Steps:
In 2017, the survey will take us to the Shebeshekong, Naiscoot, Key and Pickerel Rivers. The survey will assess the suitability of the tributaries as a spawning, rearing, nursery and foraging habitat for these species, and inform strategies to reclaim and maintain these habitats if we are to sustain native fish populations.

Tackling fluctuating water levels

Those of us who have had a relationship with Georgian Bay for many years have seen firsthand how harmful fluctuating water levels can be. Many of us were ill-prepared for the devastatingly low water levels we encountered in 2012-13, yet we are at risk of experiencing them again. According to the best available scientific models, we are at risk from increasing and unpredictable short-term extreme water level fluctuations, with very costly decades-long declines in overall water levels in Georgian Bay.
Action:
Providing Structural Solutions for Adaptive Management in the Great Lakes
GBF commissioned the global engineering firm, AECOM, to assess and recommend contemporary, climate-resilient structural options for managing water levels of Lake Michigan-Huron and Georgian Bay. This work represents one of GBF’s most significant and high impact investments to date.
Status:
In 2016, AECOM released its summary report, which identifies three prospective structural options, including in-stream turbines, inflatable dams, and a park fill/control gates system. All three are proven technologies in freshwater systems, adaptable to changing climate and water level conditions, and favourable to the environment and ecosystem.
Next Steps:
Meetings have already taken place with several influential leaders including members of the International Joint Commission, Environment Canada, State of Michigan, First Nations, Council of Great Lakes Industry, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), various shipping industry executives and the Georgian Bay Association. We will join AECOM in encouraging the Governments of Canada and the United States to create a detailed plan for protecting the Great Lakes by building on the findings of their work for GBF.

GBF is also an advisor of the University of Michigan Integrated Assessment Study team, which is considering non-structural policy options for addressing changes and impact in Great Lakes water levels.
Did you know . . .

. . . in many areas of Georgian Bay (e.g., Pointe au Baril, McGregor Bay), up to 50 per cent of the cottage population is American? Many of our neighbours to the south travel a great distance to enjoy the beauty and serenity of a Georgian Bay summer. If you’re an American and would like to support our efforts to keep Georgian Bay’s waters clean, you can, through the Great Lakes Basin Conservancy! Visit their website to learn more!

Improving water quality assessment and management

Poor water quality can lead to toxic algal blooms and cause mass die-offs of birds, fish, and other water creatures. Given that some areas of Georgian Bay are already quite stressed, the consistent and ongoing monitoring of water conditions will allow for timely interventions to preserve water quality.
Action:
Standardizing water quality testing
GBF continued its two-year partnership with the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve and other key partners to harmonize water testing protocols across the Bay. This work will replace 15 different water quality monitoring programs with standardized tools that can be used to track water quality data that will help inform water quality research and government decision-making.
Status:



Killarney

Building on previous GBF-commissioned studies that found earlier bacteria sampling regimes to be ineffective, in 2016 GBF worked to support a shift in thinking from a focus on bacterial monitoring to a focus on total phosphorous monitoring, in alignment with the new Eastern Georgian Bay water testing protocols.

While phosphorus is a necessary nutrient for the growth of most living things, too much or too little can have harmful consequences, including the development of nuisance or toxic algal blooms and underwater oxygen-free “dead” zones.

Total phosphorous data can easily be collected by citizen volunteers through the Lake Partner Program. As noted by the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, there are still 40 sites in Eastern Georgian Bay that need citizen help.

Next Steps:
The results of this work will be published in the 2018 State of the Bay Report for Eastern and Northern Georgian Bay.

To significantly improve our ability to assess water quality efficiently, GBF is currently raising funds to acquire an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). This vehicle will allow us to collect data rapidly, using state-of-the-art technology, on both physical and chemical properties such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, blue green algae, turbidity, and more. AUVs can also capture detailed underwater landscapes (bathymetry) which are important for monitoring and protecting healthy ecosystem habitat.

Join the Georgian Bay Forever Circle

Launched in the Spring of 2015, the Georgian Bay Forever Circle is our way of recognizing donors in perpetuity who have reached a lifetime giving level of $15,000 or more. These “guardians” share Georgian Bay Forever’s commitment to keeping our waters pristine for all of us to enjoy today – and for future generations to enjoy tomorrow. To date, we have welcomed more than 70 individuals, companies and foundations to the Circle, and look forward to welcoming many more. For more information, please contact Amber Gordon, Director of Development, at 905-880-4945, ext. 3.

What is GBF’s fundraising strategy?

GBF’s approach to fundraising is multi-faceted and integrated. We work hard to engage individuals, corporations, foundations and municipalities in the development of innovative funding projects that help achieve lasting conservation results while also meeting our supporters’ giving priorities.

Year over year, on average, 76 per cent of our support comes from concerned and committed individuals; 10 per cent from family and public foundations; another 12 per cent from aligned corporations; and the remaining 2 per cent from our marina and small business supporters. GBF receives little to no government funding.

How are fundraising dollars invested?

GBF is working hard to ensure that donor dollars are spent efficiently and that their return on investment is high. We work with many other organizations in the public and private sectors as well as with committed individuals who share our conservation goals and objectives. We realize that some of our goals are much bigger than we are, and that to make the most impact, we need to collaborate to achieve our respective and collective objectives.Our fundraising and outreach initiatives have been and will continue to be focussed on:
  • strengthening our relationships with donors and solidifying their belief in our objectives for the health of Georgian Bay’s waters.
  • raising funds to fast track the completion of the DNA barcoding library of all species that live in the waters of Georgian Bay.
  • continuing our Phragbusting program and encouraging support for the eradication of invasive Phragmites from communities all around the Bay.
  • expanding our fundraising efforts by engaging U.S. donors and providing easier options for giving.
  • raising funds to purchase the autonomous underwater vehicle.

How does GBF measure its success?

For environmental organizations like ours, our conservation successes are not easily measured on an annual basis given that many of our scientific research projects are phased, and sometimes take years to complete. And, it can be a few more before success is fully realized. That being said, we understand that our donors need to see results and evidence that we’re making progress towards achieving our goals.

2016 marked the second year of our current five-year strategic plan. We are happy to report that we have reached a number of our targets and will continue to leverage these results as we move further along with the strategic plan:
  • we have expanded our footprint in non-traditional geographies with our Phragmites, community guardian and eradication programs;
  • we continue to collaborate effectively with other GB5 organizations on numerous projects, amplifying results and reducing duplication and mitigating donor confusion;
  • we have done a better job of communicating the nature and results of our work and sharing stories about its significance more often; and
  • we are focusing on creating baselines against which to measure our successes going forward, and have begun tracking all of our activities in and around the Bay with more consistency.

Our efforts are paying off – we are welcoming new donors throughout the year and doing a better job of stewarding our long-term and loyal donors. We are seeing increases in followers on social media and in volunteers joining our ranks.

GBF staff and Board members continue to monitor operational efficiency, ensuring we maintain an appropriate balance between how much of your contributions are spent on overhead, and how much flows directly to support our water protection and education programs.

Georgian Bay Forever continues to play a lead role in the protection of your Bay. We turn to our First Nations for their knowledge, guidance and stories of the Bay’s health and abundance in days past.

Looking ahead, we envision a healthy Bay with millions of fish, clean, safe drinking water and a lush habitat for the thousands of species that depend on the sanctity of the Bay for their survival.

At the same time, we are cognizant of the immediate and imminent threats to the Bay - invasive Phragmites, the relentless advance of Asian carp, and the dynamic effects of climate change – and acknowledge that there is so much more we need to do to protect the Bay. We hope you’ll join us and support the work that we do to preserve and protect the waters of Georgian Bay now – and forever.
GBF’s American Donors

We have a very strong and committed donor base of U.S. residents who have cottages or properties on the Bay. They have contributed to our projects year after year, and 2016 was no exception. Our heartfelt thanks to these donors for their ongoing belief in our efforts to protect the waters they have come to enjoy and play in.

Check out GBF’s latest communication tools to help keep you informed about new and ongoing scientific projects and educational activities.

EmailGBF FacebookGBF TwitterGBF InstagramGBF

Georgian Bay Forever Circle - A New Recognition Program for our Generous Donors

The Georgian Bay Forever Circle was officially launched in the spring of 2015 and recognizes, in perpetuity, donors who have reached a lifetime giving level of $15,000 or more. Donors who are a part of our Circle believe in our mission and allow us to invest in vital and strategic projects to ensure that Georgian Bay’s pristine and natural beauty is the legacy you leave for generations to come.

GBF donors are extraordinary and we thank each and every one of them for sharing our quest to ensure that Georgian Bay remains drinkable, swimmable and fishable for all those who live, work and play on the Bay.

For more information on your lifetime donation level or to make an additional gift or pledge to become a member, please contact Amber Gordon at 905-880-4945 ext 3.

GBF is pleased to recognize the members of the Georgian Bay Forever Circle for their total lifetime contributions.

PROTECTOR | $250,000+
    Great Lakes Basin Conservancy, Inc.
    RBC Foundation

DEFENDER | $100,000 – $249,999
    The CSL Group Inc.
    The Geoff Hyland Family
    Doug and Ruth Grant
    Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Jackman Foundation
    The McLean Foundation
    The Schad Foundation

GUARDIAN | $50,000 – $99,999
    Bruce Power
    Echo Foundation
    The Judy and Wilmot
    Matthews Foundation
    The Langar Foundation
    Marye McCaig
    Michael McCain
    Anthony Munk and Amie Rocket Munk
    Robin and Robert Ogilvie
    Francie and John Pepper
    Sterling Marine Fuels
    The W. Garfield Weston Foundation

HERO | $25,000 – $49,999
    David and Shelagh Blenkarn
    Derek and Nancy Bowen
    The Carrick Family
    The Catherine and Fredrik Eaton
    Charitable Foundation
    Brian and Janey Chapman
    The Charles and Rita Field-Marsham Foundation
    Michael and Jacquie Green
    The Harold A. Kopas Family Foundation
    Peter Hatcher and Family
    Robert Hay and Family
    John Honderich
    Ernest Howard
    Renata Humphries
    Roger Jones and Joanne Muther-Jones
    Peter and Margie Kelk
    Lloyd's Register Canada Ltd.
    Ruth Mandel - WHO GIVES Fund
    Mason Family Foundation
    The McDonald Family
    Hugh and Sylvia McLelland
    James Meekison and Carolyn Keystone
    The Michael Young Family Foundation
    Frank and Patricia Mills
    Jeffrey Orr and Suzanne Legge
    John and Penny Pepperell
    The Ruby Family
    William and Meredith Saunderson
    Peter and Catherine Singer
    Larry Smith
    Philip and Eli Taylor
    Mary Thomson and Jan Ruby
    Rob and Val Thompson
    John and Josie Watson

PATRON | $15,000 – $24,999
    Algoma Central Corporation
    Tony and Janet Burt
    James and Erica Curtis
    Philip Deck and Kimberley Bozak
    Richard and Dawn Drayton
    Fednav Limited
    Mary-Elizabeth Flynn
    Robin and Sted Garber
    Donald Guloien and Irene Boychuk
    John Irving and Janet Turnbull-Irving
    John and Phyllis Lill
    Robert and Patricia Lord
    Paul and Martha McLean
    Hugh and Ada Morris
    Christopher Pfaff
    Bill and Carol Prior
    Gail and Tim Regan
    Margot Roberts and David Williamson
    David Roffey and Karen Walsh
    Jennifer Rogers
    Brian and Sabine Thomson
    Cameron Wardlaw
    Michael Wenban and Virginia Froman
    Sandy Wood and Don Darroch

We try very hard to ensure accuracy because we care so much about recognizing your donation. If we have inadvertently made a mistake, we are truly sorry. Please help us correct the error by contacting Amber Gordon-Bunn at amber.gordon-bunn@gbf.org or (905) 880-4945 x 3.

2016 GBF Supporters

Georgian Bay Forever is grateful to all of our donors and sponsors who make all that we do to protect the waters of Georgian Bay possible. More than 80 per cent of your contributions go directly to one of our many research and education projects that are aimed at informing water levels management, maintaining water quality, and protecting the ecosystems of Georgian Bay.


We deeply appreciate everyone who donated to Georgian Bay Forever in 2016.

$50,000 - 99,999

    R. Howard Webster Foundation

$25,000 - 49,999

    Bruce Power
    Great Lakes Basin Conservancy, Inc.

$5,000 - 24,999

    Jennifer Bannock
    David and Shelagh Blenkarn
    Derek and Nancy Bowen
    Janet Burt
    The CSL Group Inc.
    Doug and Ruth Grant
    Michael and Jacquie Green
    Donald Guloien and Irene Boychuk
    Ernest Howard
    Renata Humphries
    The Geoff Hyland Family
    Roger Jones and Joanne Muther-Jones
    The Harold A. Kopas Family Foundation
    The Langar Foundation
    John and Phyllis Lill
    The Mason Family Fund
    The Judy and Wilmot Matthews Foundation
    William McDonald
    James Meekison and Carolyn Keystone
    Frank and Patricia Mills
    Anthony and Amie Rocket Munk
    Robin and Robert Ogilvie
    Jeffrey Orr and Suzanne Legge
    Margot Roberts and David Williamson
    William J. and Meredith Saunderson
    Peter and Cathie Singer
    Robert and Valerie Thompson
    Brian and Sabine Thomson
    Sandy Wood and Don Darroch
    The Michael Young Family Foundation

$2,500 - 4,999

    Paul John Eakin
    Peter Hatcher and Family
    Robert Hay and Family
    John Honderich
    Jackman Foundation
    Peter and Margie Kelk
    Sam Kohn and Mary A. Ciolfi-Kohn
    Francie and John Pepper

    $1,000 - 2,499

      Elizabeth Austin
      Clair Balfour and Marci McDonald
      Birch Island Foundation
      David and Joanne Browne
      Desmasdon's Boatworks
      Michael and Maureen Douglas
      Jennifer and John Ferguson
      The Betty and Joe Gray Family Foundation
      Adam Howard and Janet Neilson
      James Humphries
      S. Jean and Harold Koetsier-Adams
      Donald and Lorraine Lawson
      Robert and Patricia Lord
      Dougal and Barbara Macdonald
      Paul and Martha McLean
      Hugh and Sylvia McLelland
      Sue McNamara
      William and Elizabeth Morris
      Evelyn Newell
      Payne Marine Ltd.
      The Pittsburgh Foundation
      Point Pleasant Marina
      Lloyd and Pat Posno
      Rick and Anne Randell
      Gail and Tim Regan
      Carolin and Robert Shepherd
      Sound Boat Works
      Janet Walker
      Lawrence and Judith Ward
      John and Josie Watson
      Thomas Williams

    $500 - 999

      Phelps and Judy Bell
      Paul Brisbois and Sandi Campbell
      Shauneen Bruder
      David Burt
      Camp Osawa Ltd.
      Terence and Hilde Clark
      Christina Clokie
      Ann and Charles Conacher
      James and Erica Curtis
      Brenda Drinkwalter
      Katherine Freygang
      Brian and Carol Grant
      Joseph Green
      John and Patricia Hardy
      George and Mary Claire Heintzman
      Gavin Langmuir
      Bill Linton and Marilynne Day-Linton
      June McLean
      Blake and Janet Murphy
      Parry Sound Marine
      Sanford and Marilyn Phillips
      Julian and Anna Porter
      Alex and Kathleen Ramsay
      David Roffey and Karen Walsh
      Nancy McCuaig Rogers
      Edward Simmonds
      Sue Stamberger
      Don and Heather Stemp
      Sonja Stewart
      Stollenwerk Family Charitable Foundation
      Michael and Melinda Tabor
      Timothy Topper
      Ian Werker and Janet Saunderson
      Donald and Marion Wheeler
      George and Helen Will
      Donald and Sandra Wilson
      Robert and Fran Woodrooffe

    $250 - 499

      Pamela Aitken
      Reed and Julia Ballon
      Donald and Elizabeth Bartlett
      Fred and Dorothy Beattie
      Jurg and Gisela Berchtold
      Paul and Frances Breithaupt
      David and Barbara Bresver
      Naomi Campbell
      John and Margaret Catto
      Philip and Kay Clarke
      Rt. Hon Adrienne L. Clarkson and John Ralston Saul
      Sondra Cornett
      David Cranmer
      Douglas and Margaret Derry
      Robert and Caroline Duncanson


    $250 - $499 (cont.)

      Karen Fergus
      Peter Foulds and Maureen MacQuarrie
      Jean Friedel
      Clayton Bunn and Amber Gordon-Bunn
      Jennifer Gray
      John and Elizabeth Hackett
      Carole Harrison and Toni Herrick
      Ann Herring
      Janice Hillier
      Paul and Alison Hughes
      Hurontario Camp Limited
      Stephen and Elisabeth Jenks
      JVT Foundation
      Edward and Ann Kerwin
      J. Mary and Robert Lee
      David and Mary Lord
      Adrienne and John Mars
      John McAllister
      Nancy McFadyen
      Lynn McLauchlin and John McKee
      Stephen and Hope Murphy
      Barry Peacock
      Michael and Sheila Royce
      Nancy Ruth
      Peter Scandrett
      Terry Sheard
      Charles Smith
      Laren Stadelman
      William Stratton
      David Sweetnam and Debra Archibald
      Jay Thompson
      Ronald Till and Sheila Lee
      Michael Wenban and Virginia Froman
      Sarah White
      John Wilson and Judy Maynard
      Judith Yohe
      Claudette Young

      $ 1 - 249

        John and Wendy Abbott
        William and Jane Abbott
        Beth and Peter Adams
        Caitlin Adamson
        Roger Albrecht
        Drew Allin
        Mary and Mike Anderson
        Sandra Andrews
        Arnold Bailey
        Peter and Nancy Baines
        Jackie Baillie
        Jane Barber
        Robert and Sinikka Barker
        Erika Barrientos and Shahid Mahmood
        Edward Bartram
        William Bartram
        Derek Bate
        John and Jenn Bate
        Warren Beckett
        David and Christine Bennett
        Audrey Best
        John and Dody Bienenstock
        Doug and Judith Biggar
        Lindsay Black
        Thomas Bogardus
        Geoffrey Boone
        Peter and Rita Boruta
        Shelagh Bowden
        Douglas and Barbara Bower
        John Boyd
        Ernest and Gloria Bradford
        Breezeswept
        Herb and Myra Breithaupt
        Jack and Lani Broadbent
        Frederick Brooks-Hill

      $ 1 - 249 cont.

        Lanee Brown
        Douglas and Helen Bryce
        Terry and Linda Bunting
        Michael Burdis
        Jean Butler
        Karen Butts
        Neil and Judy Cameron
        Bruce and Noella Campbell
        Peter and Jackie Campbell
        Ron and Mary Campeau
        The Canby Family
        Joe Castiglione
        Adam and Janet Chamberlain
        John and Joan Champ
        Tom and Christine Claflin
        Daniel Clairet
        Brian Clark
        Don and Ursula Cockburn
        Alison Cooper and James Nancorrow
        Margaret Corcoran
        James and Margaret Cowan
        Dan Cozzi
        Allan and Missy Crosbie
        Patsy Cross
        Heather Cumming
        Gordon and Harriet Cummings
        Nancy Cunningham
        Mr. and Mrs. Phillip
        Thomas Dancy
        Martha and Alfred Davis
        Jo Anne DeBiasio
        Roman and Virginia Dementavicius
        Vernon and Donna Deneault
        Benjamin and Molly Diesbach
        Jim and Allison Dingle
        Chris and Delia Dobson
        Sandra Dodds
        D'Arcy Doherty
        Marguerite Doritty and Raymond Knowles
        Michelle Draper
        David Drinkwater
        Donald Dunn
        Sadie Dyer
        Bruce and Joan Erickson
        Michael and Joyce Etherington
        Rosemary Everett
        George and Kittie-Marie Fells
        Roderic and Frances Ferguson
        Judy Finch
        Joan Fisher
        Robert and Anne Fisher
        Stephen Fisher
        Sally Forrest
        Richard Forster
        Bill Fowler and Mary Wolf
        Sara Fox
        Sylvia Lois Fraser
        Sandra Freedhoff
        Daniel Freeman
        Harold and Heidi Freure
        Ann Galbraith
        Nancy Garrow
        Kate Gibson
        Tom Gifford
        Diane Gilday
        Lucile and Brian Gille
        John and Catherine Gillespie
        Kathleen Golding
        Tim and Barbara Gorka
        Catherine Graham
        Jamie Graham
        Donald and Gwen Grant
        Mr. and Mrs. Eric Grant
        Janice Graves
        Joseph Grogan
        Carty Hall
        John Hamilton
        William and Marilyn Hance
        Craig and Neidra Hart
        Beau Hatcher
        Barry Haywood
        Frank Hedley
        Thomas Heintzman
        Thomas Hepburn
        Wood Hill and Mary Ruby
        Mark and Marilyn Hiseler

      $1 - $249 (Cont.)

        Jane Hoffman
        Roger and Margaret Horton
        John and Elinor Hueton
        Kathleen Hughes
        Morgan Hultquist
        George and Anne Hume
        Linda Humphrey
        Anne Hurlbut
        Barbara Hyland
        Alice Jane Jenkins
        Duncan and Robyn Jones
        Derek and Anne Keddie
        Richard Kelley
        John and Patricia Keyser
        Mr. and Mrs. Kendall King
        Charles King
        Patricia Kirby
        Midford Kitchen
        Jackie and Cully Koza
        Jeff and Cindy Kuchman
        John and Teresa Lackner
        Donald Lamont
        Mary Suzanne Lamont
        Douglas Lash
        Reginald and Sheila Lewis
        Bob and Anne Lindsay
        Moira and Harland Lindsay
        Tom and Nancy Lofft
        Carol Lome
        Lars and Monica Londen
        Albert and Joan Longo
        Geoffrey Lowe
        Theodore Lownie
        Gerald and Joan Lozinski
        Henry and Heather Maag
        J.A. Macdonald
        John and Carol Macfarlane
        Jim and Jill MacKenzie
        Jim and Heather MacLeod
        Joan MacRae
        Jane Maher
        Patricia Marshall
        William David Martin
        George and Elinor Matchneer
        Roger Matthews
        Susan May
        Thomas and Emily McClintock
        William McCoy
        Rene and Carol McCron
        Ian and Maureen McGibbon
        Nigel McGrath
        Jane P. and Jerry McIntosh
        Scott and Sandra McKay
        John McKellar
        Marion McLeod
        William and Brenda McNeill
        Sally Mead
        Karen Lea Milburn
        Greg Miller
        Mr. and Mrs. Russell Miller
        Donald Millman
        John and Pam Mitchell
        William Montgomery
        William and Sally Moore
        Joy Morrison and Ron Stockburn
        Charles and Lani Moses
        Fred and Jane Munn
        Rebecca Nasr
        Dean and Elaine Nicholls
        Barbara Nikel
        Jane Nord
        Robert and Joan Northey
        Britton and Arani Osler
        Tom and Mary Ouchterlony
        Winn and Barbara Oughtred
        Angelo and Daniele Parravano & Family
        Barbara Parton
        Graham and Diane Patchell
        David and Molly Pelton
        Peter and Harriet Pfohl
        Peter and Barbara Phippen
        Norman James Playfair and Kimberley Cormack
        Jean and George Podolsky
        Sue Pridham
        Jason and Emily Richardson
        Murray Rideout
        William Robbins
        Thomas and Rosina Robertson
        Trevor and Raechel Robertson
        Brian and Hilda Rolph
        Joanna Ruby-Armstrong
        Victoria Ruby
        Judy Russel
        Megan Nicole Ryan
        Zoe Ryerson
        Frank and Ota Safertal
        Roma and Anthony Sapijonis
        Heather Sargeant
        Tim and Barb Sargeant
        Patrick and Carol Saunders
        Ray and Kit Sawyer
        Cindy Scanlon
        Werner and Inge Schmalz
        Howison Schroeder
        Christel and Paul Schwarz
        Gregg Scott
        Rod and Bessie Seyffert
        Ian Shaw
        Judy Sherk
        Tom Sherman and Nancy Middlebrook
        Donald and Barbara Simpson
        Robert Simpson
        Bob David Smith
        Douglas and Ruth Smith
        Gordon Smith
        Peter and Dallis Smith
        Peter and Linda Smith
        Staples Canada Inc.
        Andrew Stewart
        Charles P. Stewart III
        Timothy Stewart
        Barbara Stone
        Richard Stoner
        Duncan and Audrey Stratton
        William and Carol Stratton
        William and Kathleen Sutherland
        Leo and Ella Sweetnam
        Michael Tangney
        Norma Jean Tangney
        Vincent and Siulanko Tangredi
        Geoff and Ruth Taylor
        Nicole Thackeray
        Barb Thomas and Clay Brohm
        Terence and Carole Thompson
        Bill and Janice Thomson
        Cleveland and Linda Thurber
        Ross and Janet Trilsbeck
        George Trusler
        Amanda Valpy
        E.L. and Barbara Van Sickel
        John Vanstone
        Peeranut Visetsuth
        Jason Wagar
        Gordon and Harriet Walker
        Al and Barbara Wallace
        David and Patricia Watson
        Gavin and Elizabeth Watt
        Bill and Linda Watts
        John and Sandra Way
        Cynthia Webb
        Robert Weekes
        John and Barb Weir
        James Westaway
        Jennifer Whelpton
        Dave Whidden
        Brenda White
        Patric Whitney and Camie Tang-Chang
        Neil F. and Lynn Williams
        Ken and Gail Williams
        David Wilson
        Susan Wilson
        Alice Winn
        Peter and Susan Winnell
        Kim Woodhouse
        John and Judy Woodward
        James Worts
        Michael and Elizabeth Young
        Merle and Sue Zoerb

        We try very hard to ensure accuracy because we care so much about recognizing your donation. If we have inadvertently made a mistake, we are truly sorry. Please help us correct the error by contacting Amber Gordon-Bunn at amber.gordon-bunn@gbf.org or (905) 880-4945 x 3.

        Memories-are-forever gifts: Individuals listed below have had gifts made in their honour.

        Donations In Memory

            Dorothy Bennett
            Tony Burt
            Brenda Charters
            Joseph Raymond Corbiere
            Jack Courtemanche
            Todd Frankland
            Joan E. Harrison
            Margo House
            Ed Jarrett
            Dr. Terry Mackenzie
            Don McMaster
            Ray Miller
            Bill Prior
            Ruth Weinert

          Gifts In Honour

            Ken Brown
            Doug and Bruce
            Brenda Drinkwalter
            The Everett Family
            Robert Kinnear
            Melissa and Lee Munson
            David Sweetnam and Debra Archibald
            Lawrence Ward

            Local Businesses supporting Georgian Bay Forever

            Responsible investments for long term benefits

            As a charitable organization that does not receive government based operational funding, we’ve come to recognize and appreciate that it’s the people and businesses in, around and on Georgian Bay that make what we do possible. Sincere thanks to our donors who contributed over $450,000 this year to keep our work on track. We finished the year with a modest deficit, but this made it possible for us to invest in projects essential to achieving our long-term goals. Overall we continue to have a healthy financial position as demonstrated on our balance sheet.

            Our thanks to our donors without whom we wouldn’t be able to do what we do; our strategic partners who help us to leverage our donor funds; our board members for their tireless devotion; our staff for exemplifying what it means to be committed to a cause; and the community volunteers for stepping forward in the fight against invasive Phragmites.

            As we move forward with our projects in 2017, we hope you will join us and support us in the year ahead to protect Georgian Bay’s precious waters.
            Board of Directors

            Meet the men and women who so generously are volunteering their time in 2017 to help GBF advance our mission.

            Find out about the committees on which they serve.

            Revenues and Expenditures

            Financial Position

            If you have any questions or want more information with regards to this 2016 annual report, please contact Amber Gordon-Bunn at amber.gordon-bunn@gbf.org or (905) 880-4945 x 3.

            The Independent Auditor's Report of Georgian Bay Forever's 2016 Financials