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A Focus on Water Quality
by Dr. Katherine McLeod
The Eastnor Swamp Awakens
I think we all have stories about the Winter and Spring we have had this year, it’s been quite dramatic! The snow depths and the long-awaited Spring, although within the 30-year climate normals, were surprising after a decade of record-breaking warm temperatures and little snow. The Eastnor Swamp showed us many of her seasonal faces.
In the mid-winter, board members joined Dr. Jennifer Adams, our science advisor and program manager, to take advantage of the snow and explore the property. The southern section was largely inaccessible last summer due to the water levels, downed trees, and dense thickets. But in January, donning snowshoes and skis, we managed to traverse into its depths. Possible future trail routes and obstacles were discussed, small stream channels were mapped, and areas needing further tree and shrub planting were identified – all on a crisp northern day.
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The incredible snow depth suggested there would be a strong spring freshet, and we were not disappointed. Flood waters spilled from the stream to cover all low lying areas. Many of the shrubs planted along the stream channel spent the early spring under water!
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Although the flooding was significant, the swamp absorbed much of the snowmelt water and has been slowly releasing it back into the channel.
Now that the area is passable, we have been able to assess all the restoration work done last year.
The restored channel section, where an obstruction was removed in August 2024, proved well-designed. The stream channel banks withstood the fast flowing waters.
Trees and shrubs planted also managed the winter and spring well, with over 97% survival rate!
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Volunteers are the lifeblood of all of our projects!
With typical Spring vigor, board members got out in May to enjoy a sunny day pulling periwinkle, a European invasive plant (albeit beautiful) that covered a wide area above the stream near entrance parking lot.
And so we now turn to planning another round of planting for bank stabilization, for replacement of dying ash, and for increasing biodiversity. If you want to become involved in these efforts, contact us, volunteers are very welcome! Contact Pat Sein: [email protected]
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50/50 Tickets for Sale!
Get your 50/50 Ticket and win up to $2,500.00 if all of the tickets are sold. Each ticket is $5.00 and only 1,000 will be available. All proceeds from the sale of the tickets will be used for communication, education and wetland restoration including ground and surface water quality. Contact Donna Cole at [email protected] before June 30! Draw July 1st at noon! The lucky winner will be notified by phone or email.
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Solar Workshop - Held March 22, Lion's Head Rotary Hall
60 people joined us for a very informative solar workshop on March 22.
Led by our Climate Action Committee, Mike Campbell, Dave Van Geem and Glen Estill, attendees learned how you can use solar energy to reduce your carbon footprint and save money in the long term. Grants to help you purchase solar panels are still available but the audience was told to act quickly since they may not always be available. Kelly Asghar, VP of BPBA shared her personal solar journey with having panels installed on her home including the costs and incentives available.
Think solar doesn't have a big impact? According to a recent CBC news headline quoting this study:
- Solar could provide 2/3 of the world’s electricity
- That’s more than is currently generated by
fossil fuels – coal and gas
Ontario's electricity supply from fossil fuels continues to increase. One of the solutions is solar, which also saves you money on your electricity bill. There's never been a better time to consider solar.
To see the slides from our Solar Workshop and start your own solar journey, please visit our website: Solar Workshop March 2025
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Don't Forget to Check Out Our Summer EcoAdventures!
EcoAdventures offers guided tours and adventures that take you hiking, caving, and exploring across breathtaking and dramatic landscapes. We are "what to do" on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula! Go to: https://myecoadventures.ca/
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Preserving Our Dark Skies: Lost in Light
Astrophotography Exhibit On Now at Parks Canada Visitor Centre, Tobermory
An exciting new astrophotography exhibit called "Lost In Light" is now on display at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre. Prints of the Aurora Borealis, the Milky Way, and deep sky objects from local photographers show what humanity misses due to Artificial Light at Night (ALAN).
Our AGM keynote speaker, Mike Warkentin, "The Dark Sky Guy" shared information on the damaging effects of ALAN, useful tips on best practices for night lighting and provided an introduction to the fascinating world of astrophotography. See his presentation here: Lost in Light Biosphere AGM 2025
Bayside Astronomy and Dark Skies
Bayside Astronomy is getting ready for another wonderful summer under our dark skies which are some of the darkest in North America. Grace Jaklitsch, our wonderful program manager from last year, is returning again this summer with her amazing knowledge of Greek Mythology along with two new students, Patrick Hamani an Astrophysics major at McMaster University and Francesca Borromeo a Biology major at University of Ottawa.
Join Us for an Alien Escape
Based on the success of our EcoAdventures "Forest Escapes", get ready for "The Alien Escape", a star-based escape room adventure that puts your puzzle-solving skills and knowledge of the night sky to the test in a hour, before the aliens appear and destroy humanity! Details coming soon.
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Sign Up Today for a Members-Only Field Trip!
Launched in 2024, these guided trips explore the wonders of the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula's natural environment with experts leading you every step of the way.
Our first four adventures, Alvars in Bloom, Birding 101, Peninsula Geology and Plants & Pollinators had 7 - 15 participants and were led by experts sharing wonderful insights on the unique features of the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula.
Memberships are only $30 per year. Once you are a member, please sign up for one of the three upcoming trips - Anishinaabe Culture, Tree ID or the Net Zero Home at bpba.ca/membership.
After you sign up, you will be sent all the details on where to meet the guide, what to wear and how to sign the waiver.
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Meet Our New Environmental Students
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Katie Prionas
Hello, I'm Katie, a recent graduate of the University of Guelph Environmental Science program. I am not new to Lake Huron, as I worked supporting Saugeen Shores for two summers in the care of its sand dunes and coastal environments.
I love being on the water with kayaks and canoes and I am excited to be near the clear, blue waters of Tobermory for the summer. I really appreciate all the goals the BPBA have set out to accomplish and I can't wait to support the many projects designed to protect and strengthen the environment on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula.
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Caely Wilson
Hi, I’m Caely! I’m a recent Biological Science graduate from the
University of Guelph, and I’m incredibly excited to be working with
the BPBA this summer as I kickstart my career in conservation.
Growing up, I was endlessly fascinated by nature documentaries—especially those by David Attenborough—which sparked a lifelong passion for exploring and protecting our natural ecosystems. I spend as much time outdoors as possible—hiking, backpacking, paddleboarding, and most recently, birding (I’m slowly learning to recognize the expansive list of bird calls). As the first in my family to attend university, I’m proud to begin a career focused on protecting the environment. I’ve volunteered on several conservation projects abroad, including in Madagascar and Zimbabwe, but I’m especially excited to apply my skills closer to home, grow as a young professional, and continue developing hands-on experience in community-based environmental work through the impactful efforts of the Biosphere Association. Looking forward to
meeting everyone!
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Local Cattle Watering Systems Getting an Upgrade
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Working with our local farmers and research scientists, 71 cattle watering systems were installed along with 25 km of fencing to exclude cattle from accessing and degrading stream courses while improving the quality of the cattle's drinking water.
The first waterers were installed in 2013. After the review of the systems in 2023, it was clear that many early systems needed upgrading and repair. We are happy to report our Cattle Watering System 2.0 prototype is underway!
Our goals are to:
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Increase reliability - Replacing or redesigning weak components
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Improve maintainability - Simplifying components; modularize components for “plug and play”; standardize design
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Enable Rapid Failure Identification - Connecting the system to the Biosphere’s LoRawan Network will alert farmers to any issues
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Decrease Costs - Develop a cost framework for components, including a maintenance and replacement cost
Stay tuned for further details.
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