Hello

Wow, 2022! The Biosphere has hit the ground running and we have lots of news to share. Thanks to the support of generous organizations, government grants, Biosphere memberships, donations, and EcoAdventures we have been moving forward with many of our projects.

Read on to find out what’s been happening at the Biosphere Association over the winter and what to expect this spring! 

‍Family Fun Festival and Climate Action Plan

‍The Family Fun Festival, held on the weekend of March 12th and 13th in Lion's Head and Tobermory respectively, invited families to participate in fun-filled events with interactive games and activities built around climate action themes. The aim of this festival was to encourage all ages to make positive eco-friendly lifestyle changes.

Despite the inclement weather, the two-day event was attended by over 150 community members! This event was primarily organized by Biosphere Association members Moira Parker, Krista Dovaston, Pat Sein, and Elizabeth Thorn with support from BPEG and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The festival’s climate themes provided an opportunity to connect with community members, preview the Climate Action videos organized by Ryan Matheson, and launch discussions about the NBP Climate Action Plan facilitated by the Municipal Climate Action Committee with Biosphere Association members Mike Campbell and Will Meneray.

A big THANK YOU to all our volunteers! These events wouldn’t have been possible without all the amazing people that came out to lend a hand and support the Biosphere.

If you are interested in learning more about the Climate Action Plan and want to provide feedback on the plan, you can complete this survey.

Remember that you can also refer to the Climate Action Hub or email info@biosphereclimateaction.ca for more information.

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Red-headed Woodpecker Project

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Fingers and wings crossed, we have written a grant that if approved will allow us to continue our monitoring research and protection of the endangered Red-headed Woodpecker. Thanks to our ecological assessment last spring we discovered 14 species at risk and two pairs of breeding Red-headed Woodpeckers. What an incredible discovery! 14 species at risk in a single area creates a rare opportunity for conservation. Therefore, we have expanded the scope of the current project to cover more than just the Red-headed Woodpecker. We are also targeting the Golden-winged Warbler (Special Concern) and the Eastern Whippoorwill (Threatened). Please join us as we need community volunteers to assist us with monitoring these at-risk species!

‍‍‍EcoAdventures

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EcoAdventures has wrapped up a very busy winter season and is preparing to launch a brand new spring program! Saugeen Sojourn is a multiday overnight glamping event that combines hiking, biking and canoeing adventures with Anishinaabe cultural experiences like storytelling with Lenore Keeshig and a foraged feast with Nagaan's Zach Keeshig. This unforgettable all-inclusive experience showcases the beautiful Peninsula like never before.

This summer, see the Peninsula from the water: Join us for Canoe the Grotto or our Sunset Canoe in small 6-person tours that leave the busy trails behind.

And an old favourite is back! Our Forest Escape returns this spring...can you solve the mystery before time runs out?

Now that the snowshoes are back in storage, we look forward to seeing you in the warmer seasons ahead!

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Make your vacation destination Ontario this year and benefit from the temporary Ontario Staycation Tax Credit. The staycation goal is to encourage Ontario families to explore locally (within the province). This helps the tourism and hospitality sectors recover from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while still allowing families to travel and explore areas in their region.

Ontario residents can claim 20% of their eligible 2022 accommodation expenses when filling out personal Income Tax and Benefit Return for 2022. These expenses would include a stay at a hotel, cottage, campground, resort, motel, or bed and breakfast. You can claim eligible expenses of up to $1,000 as an individual or $2,000 if you have a spouse, common-law partner, or eligible children, to get back up to $200 as an individual or $400 as a family. Learn more here. 

Check one of the Biosphere’s latest video promoting Staycations on the Bruce Peninsula

Crane River - Watershed Project Approval 

The Biosphere Association is very excited to have received funding for a project that has long been on our bucket list. The Crane River is a Karst system with interesting geological features as well as ecological features, as it supports native brook trout. The stream head is found on Bruce Peninsula National Park property where it travels through private property and then into Nature Conservancy of Canada property. The $20,000 grant will include protective fencing along exposed vulnerable sections of the stream, as well as green landscaping (planting of shrubs and trees). 

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Bioremediation

The Biosphere is paving the way with the next-generation tile drainage systems here on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula. Designed to improve water management and prevent excess nitrogenous runoff, this revolutionary project will be entering the next phase. Thanks to the approval of two major grants the Biosphere is looking forward to working with local farmers and will be hiring 4 new staff positions to work on the project. We are looking for two research assistants for a full-time one-year term, as well as two co-op students (an engineering student and a computer science student). For a full description of job offers click here.

‍Sources of Knowledge Forum is pleased to announce that registration is open! Register now! Sources of Knowledge Forum - Sharing Perspectives on the Natural & Cultural Heritage of Ontario & Canada

The topic: The Climate is Changing: Will We?

Where: Tobermory Community Centre

When: April 29-May 1

We are really excited with our lineup of speakers. We have a kick off talk Friday from Diane Saxe, former Ontario Environment Commissioner. This is followed by movie night curated by the ever popular Stephen Scharper.

Saturday we have a wide range of climate topics, followed by an Indian themed banquet, and an evening of poetry.

Sunday we will discuss local initiatives, including the work of the Biosphere Association and the Climate Action Committee of our local Council.

We know you will want be there. Register Now! 

‍We Need Your Help!

Looking for a Unique Holiday Gift? Do you have someone that can be hard to buy for and you want to give them something interesting and useful? What about a Gift Membership to the Biosphere Association or a donation in their name, or how about an EcoAdventures Gift Card for those who are looking for great memories and less stuff.

Please support us by becoming a member

To print a membership form and mail it in with a cheque, here is the link: 

bpba.ca/images/membership_form.pdf

Volunteers Always Welcomed!

The Biosphere Association is always looking for new volunteers. We have a variety of ways you can help. Some of these include: helping at Bayside Astronomy, planting seeds and trees, researching ideas for new projects as well as many more. We are always happy to have all the helpers we can. If interested, please email us at: info@bpba.ca 

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Our mailing address is:
Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association

P.O. Box 3, Tobermory, Ont. N0H 2R0
(519) 377-5166

Copyright © 2016  Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association