Bayside Viewing Platform

One of the goals of our Dark Sky Demonstration Project was to foster sustainable economic development. In Lion's Head a viewing platform has been built to serve as the site for the Bayside Astronomy Program and for cliff viewing during the day. A grant application was made to the Spruce the Bruce program which was approved and with Municipal support and Biosphere fundraising, sufficient funds were raised. Conceived in August it was approved by September and built on time by end of October 2011.

Fundraising / Donate

Once again this year the BPBA sold chocolate Easter Eggs to raise funds for the ongoing work of the Association.  These fabulous Biosphere chocolate eggs are lovingly crafted in the early spring by our enthusiastic team for you and your family to enjoy.

As you can imagine we only make a limited quantity to ensure freshness, quality and taste, so order early next year! Your donation or purchase of Biosphere Eggs will help our volunteers work with partner organizations on a variety of projects.

To reserve your eggs for Spring 2013, please write an e-mail or send us a message by clicking here.

Join the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association!

Does this sound good? Interested in becoming a member?

Buy Membership

One Membership $20.00 CAD Two Memberships $40.00 CAD Three Memberships $60.00 CAD

Please note that this online payment service is provided by PayPal, but you do not need a PayPal account to use VISA, Mastercard etc. Simply click on "Pay Now" and then "Don't have a PayPal account" and skip the invitation to sign up with PayPal..

...or, if you prefer to mail in your membership application with a cheque, Please click here.

Be Informed

     PROJECTS

     Dark Sky

A Learning Community Initiative – Dark Sky Committee
BPBA, BPEG, the Municipal Council, other organizations and many individuals have worked for ten years on preserving the night sky on the Northern Bruce Peninsula. In 2011 the Ontario Trillium Foundation supported a free light assessment program for homeowners. Ridgewood Capital Asset Management generously provided funding for a Light Conversion Incentive program that provided homeowners with rebates to update fixtures to dark sky friendly lighting. The Biosphere Association also created a 52 page catalogue of dark sky lighting fixtures that can be found at local suppliers. The catalogue, designed for homeowners to use to retrofit their outdoor lighting, may be downloaded by clicking here:  lightingcatalogue.pdf (10 Mb). The printing of the catalogue was funded by Scotia Private Client Group . Please note that stock and prices were accurate at time of initial publishing, but they change rapidly. The catalogue should therefore be considered a general guide rather than an authoritative reference.

There are many reasons for preserving our starry night skies. View the Video Interviews of Local Dark Sky Champions and other information (please click here). The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association (BPBA) Learning Community Initiative... 

      Help us with Watersheds:
      Aquatic Monitoring

Since 2003, a benthic monitoring program has been implemented in three local cold-water streams to monitor the health of these aquatic ecosystems. Benthic monitoring involves collecting bottom samples from the streams to identify and count the macro-invertebrates (aquatic insects) present in the water. Since some of these species are sensitive to disruptions in their environment they are good indicators of the health of the streams.

New Five Streams Project

We are now beginning a new project to develop an integrated watershed plan that encompasses all major aspects, for example water quality and habitat, terrestrial habitat and land cover biodiversity. Our approach will involve the following six steps. If you would like to be involved, please contact us now!

1. Introductory community event to launch the project
2. Seek funding to hire person to prepare overarching plan (underway)
3. Obtain community consensus on project direction
4. Scope out project and prepare action plans
5. Apply for EcoAction funding in November, 2012
6. Implement plans

     Forest Monitoring

In 2002, a long-term monitoring program was initiated to assess the health of forest ecosystems on the Bruce Peninsula. Sixteen monitoring plots have been established on both private and protected lands throughout the municipality to observe changes in the health of our forest ecosystems by monitoring mature tree species, seedling and sapling regeneration, decay rates, lichens, and salamanders.

     Salamander Monitoring

Since 2003, salamander monitoring protocols have been implemented at eight of the forest monitoring plots throughout the municipality. Coverboards, or layered wood, were used to monitor salamanders since they act as artificial habitat, making it easier to count them.

     Youth Involvement

For many years, the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association has provided local youth with an opportunity to gain hands-on employment experiences under the mentorship of resource professionals.