Gravel Gran Fondo: October 4, 2026
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Join us on Sunday, October 4th for the annual Saugeen Bruce Peninsula Gravel Gran Fondo!
Get ready to cheer! On Sunday, October 4th, our biggest fundraiser of the year returns as nearly 500 cyclists take to the backroads and gravel trails of the Peninsula for a full day of adventure. The ride is officially SOLD OUT, but you can still be part of the excitement:
Cheer on the Cyclists along any of the four scenic routes (115 km, 80 km, 56 km, and 34 km). All routes roll out from Lion’s Head Beach at 9:30 AM, with the first finishers rolling back in from noon through mid-afternoon. Come down, make some noise, and welcome them across the finish line!
Join the Volunteer Crew: We still need a few friendly faces to help keep the day rolling smoothly, from registration to finish-line hospitality.
Sign up to Volunteer here
Grab your Raffle Tickets During the Event to Win Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets & Swag!
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Tickets: $5 each or 5 for $20
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Where to buy: Saturday during rider t-shirt pickup at the Lion's Head Arena, or on Sunday right at the finish line at Lion's Head Beach.
Finish-line festivities also feature local craft beer available for purchase to toast our riders!
🙏 Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!
An event of this scale wouldn't be possible without the incredible support of our community partners. Please show some love to the local businesses backing this event to support conservation:
Gold Sponsor - $3,000 - Bruce Peninsula Real Estate Team - RE/MAX Grey Bruce Realty Inc.
Silver Sponsors - $2,000 - Blue Bay Motel, Zehr Insurance
Bronze Sponsors - $1,000 - Tagwerk Brewery, Blue Heron Cruises, Princess Hotel, Bruce Anchor Cruises, Summer House Park, EPH Tools and Machining LTD, Grandview Motel, Hellyer's Foodland, Peacock's Foodland, Skratch Labs, Harrington Plumbing
Friendship Sponsors - $500 - Burgess Engineering Inc, Bernie Hellyer Construction, BrokerLink Inc. (previously Powell Insurance), Martin's Bicycle Shop, Escarpment Heights Motel, Camp Celtic
Feedzone Sponsors - $250 - Rydall Contracting, Rachel's Restaurant, Scott’s Home Hardware, The Blooming Lion, Earthbound Gardens, Bruce Peninusula Septic Service, Walsh's Garage, Wilson Home Building Centre, Suntrail Source for Adventure, Bear Tracks, Peninsula Physiotherapy & Sports Rehabilitation
Would your business like to support this event? Please get in touch for a sponsorship package - [email protected]
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EcoAdventures: Saugeen Sojourn Sells Out!
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Last Saugeen Sojourn of the Year is a Sell-Out!
By Mike Sehl, Board Member and EcoAdventures Lead
EcoAdventures is proud to be wrapping up a successful season of its newest offering, Saugeen Sojourn in partnership with Anishinaabe Cultural Experiences at Cape Croker Park.
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Cape Croker Park, Saugeen Sojourn offers guests the chance to slow down, connect with the land, and experience the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula through an Anishinaabe cultural lens.
This year’s experiences were led by Anishinaabe Cultural Experiences Interpretive Guide, Caley Doran and EcoAdventures Guide, Tainin Hopkinson of Parks Canada. Guest response has been outstanding, with five-star reviews across the board, and our September event is SOLD OUT.
A heartfelt thank you to Elders Lenore Keeshig and Charlene Winger Jones for sharing Anishinaabe stories and teachings around the campfire. Their presence brought an unforgettable depth and richness to the experience.
Another big thank you to the Biosphere's volunteer Board Member and Dark Skies/Bayside Astronomy Lead, Mike Warkentin, for an incredible Dark Sky presentation. For many of us, seeing Saturn’s rings through a telescope for the first time under the night sky at Cape Croker Park was pure magic.
And of course… the FOOD! A huge thank you to Daryl for catering our meals and making shared food around the table another highlight of the weekend.
The success of this year’s Saugeen Sojourn has shown us just how powerful these experiences can be when culture, nature, learning, and community come together.
Next year, we want to welcome even more people to experience it for themselves. Watch for our 2027 Saugeen Sojourn dates — and come join us around the campfire.
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Photo Credit & Descriptions (Clockwise): Lenore looking through the telescope by Caley Doran; Lunch at the top of Sydney Bluff by Emanuel Corthay; EcoAdventures Hike Guide, Tainin providing nature interpretation by Emanuel Corthay; Group Photo at the Saugeen Sojourn campsites by Caley Doran; Sunset over Sydney Bay by Maria Lebedeva.
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Stay Tuned for the EcoAdventures Winter Schedule Line up of Snowshoe to the Grotto, Owl Prowls, and other fun initiatives!
Are you interested in joining the team as a local guide? We would love to hear from you!
https://www.MyEcoAdventures.ca/our_guides
Play. Learn. Make a Difference.
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Bayside Astronomy Hits Record Numbers!
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Patrick, Francesca, and Grace - Bayside Astronomy Natural Science Managers with funding from Canada Summer Jobs 2026
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Bayside Astronomy 2026: A Three-Way Success!
Summer 2026 was a standout season for Bayside Astronomy, scoring wins on three distinct fronts:
Favourable Skies: Clear weather was on our side! About 60% of our scheduled sessions went ahead (up from ~50% last year). Despite the wildfires, not a single night was lost to smoke—only the typical Saugeen Bruce cloud and rain.
Near-Record Crowds: We welcomed 2,500 stargazers, marking our second-largest attendance of all time. Visitors were treated to spectacular views of the Milky Way, the Moon, and the Perseid meteor shower.
Our "Dream Team": A huge thank-you to Grace Jaklitsch, Francesca Borromeo, and Patrick Hamani. Their deep knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication brought the wonders of the night sky alive for everyone.
Join the Dark Sky Crew for 2027!
To keep this beloved program shining bright, we’re looking for new volunteers to join the team:
No telescope or experience required! We provide the telescope and all the hands-on training.
All you need is passion for sharing the night sky with our community.
Get in Touch: Reach out to "The Dark Sky Guy" Mike Warkentin directly at [email protected], or drop us a message on the dedicated @BaysideAstronomy social media pages.
Clear skies, and see you all next summer!
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New Fundraiser: Diving & Snorkeling for Conservation
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Divers Kristin, Carly, Janet, Kim, Emily, and Karen who signed up to participate in the PADI Women's Dive Day event. Photo by Mia Toose
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Diving for Conservation: The Biosphere’s Inaugural PADI Women Dive Day Fundraiser
From July 17–19, the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association (BPBA) partnered with Dive Life Tobermory to host the inaugural Women Beneath the Surface: Diving for Conservation in Fathom Five National Marine Park. Bringing together 21 divers and snorkelers from across Ontario and as far away as Florida and Honduras, the weekend celebrated women in diving while spotlighting the rich, often overlooked freshwater biodiversity of the Great Lakes.
Participants honed their observation skills through an underwater sketching workshop and citizen science seminars led by local ecologist Jenna McGuire. Equipped with slates and cameras, divers documented aquatic life across four historic shallow-water shipwrecks, logging valuable biodiversity data using the iNaturalist app.
Event proceeds were donated by Dive Life Tobermory to support BPBA’s ongoing conservation projects, including water quality monitoring and wetland restoration. A massive thank-you to Dive Life Tobermory, Parks Canada, Jenna McGuire, our dedicated volunteers, and everyone who joined us beneath the surface!
Read the article about the event in the Bruce Peninsula Press
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Photo Credit & Descriptions (Clockwise from top left): Dive Life Tobermory owner Szilvia with the Snorkel Boat at the PADI Women Dive Day Fundraiser by Victoria Lant; Jenna McGuire introduces participants to underwater sketching for aquatic life ID at the Tobermory Community Centre by Carrie Zelman; Diver, Fiona Rattray displays her underwater sketch by Carrie Zelman; Gobies on an underwater log by diver Kimberley Gow; Underwater photographers Kristin Paterakis and Carly Brenner-Hunter by Kimberley Gow.
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Summer Raffle: Nearly $5,000 Raised!
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Pat Sein, BPBA Secretary and Fundraising Lead, Wendy Rodgers, and Elizabeth Thorn, past BPBA Chair draw the winners of the Summer Raffle at the Lion's Head Farmer's Market in August 2026. Photo from Pat Sein.
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Our “sold out” summer raffle made just under $5000 and helped offset our outreach and education project expenses.
First Prize WINNER: Kati Hall, Whitby, ON
Southampton Getaway Package, Value over $1,000 Beach Boutique Motel, Armen’s, The Cooks Cupboard, Southampton Olive Oil, Dizzy Bird Coffee, Larkspur Books, Licit Garden, Lighthouse Photo and Gifts, Re:mind Wellness Spa, Southampton Market, Logan’s Southampton, Southampton Arts Centre, Dávid & Cathy, and the Bruce County Museum.
Second Prize WINNER: Donald Gordon, Toronto, ON
Tobermory Terrific Boat Cruise, Value $395 Fathom 5 Fishing and Private Boat Tours, Owner - Mike Marcotte
Third Prize WINNER: Rob Nespolo, Tobermory, ON
Stained Glass, Value $400 Donated by Karen Sword
Fourth Prize WINNER: Karen Ali, Waterloo, ON Night
Sky Photo on Canvas, Value $250 Photography by Mike Warkentin and printed on canvas by Staples Owen Sound
We are very thankful to our community for all of the donated prizes and to everyone who supported us by purchasing tickets!
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Water Quality & Conservation Action
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Because the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula sits on porous karst topography, rainwater and surface runoff move directly into our groundwater with minimal natural filtration. Keeping contaminants out of our streams protects both drinking water and the nearshore habitats of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
Community Science Coastal Monitoring: With Canada Water Agency support that continues to 2027, volunteers in Barrow Bay and Stokes Bay have spent the summer collecting monthly water samples, tracking nutrients, turbidity, and algae. This provides the baseline data needed to monitor water quality along local shorelines.
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Citizen scientists in action in Greenough Harbour and BPBA Environmental Technician, Sebastian and BPBA Forestry Conservation & Community Coordinator, Willem collecting water samples on the peninsula.
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Septic Incentive Program: As part of the Six Streams Initiative and with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, BPBA facilitated pump-out demos by Bruce Peninsula Septic Services and educational workshops at the Lion’s Head Legion and Pike Bay Community Centre this summer. With a goal to prevent septic system failures that leach into the water table, BPBA covers costs for routine pump-outs/inspections and offers a limited number of $4,000 grants toward replacing failed septic systems for those who qualify. Please send a message to [email protected] to learn more.
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Photo Credit & Descriptions: Bruce Peninsula Septic Services conducts a pump-out demonstration after the workshop at Lion's Head Legion Photo by Donna Cole; Participants learn about septic systems from Biosphere staff at the Pike Bay Community Centre. Photo by Mia Toose.
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Hands-on Summer Workshops Recap
Community members turned out across the watershed to learn, restore, and document local ecosystems. We are so excited about the participation and interest in citizen science and caring for the peninsula's environment.
Planting and Propagation: Volunteers planted native trees at the Eastnor Swamp Wetland restoration site with support from the Greenbelt Foundation and joined our hands-on plant propagation workshop to master growing native stock from cuttings. Planting trees supports wetland restoration by stabilizing surrounding soils, filtering runoff, and buffering the wetland from external environmental stressors.
Contributing to local data collection with iNaturalist: From Sandy Beach to Eastnor Swamp, iNaturalist expert, Sarah Fencott guided residents through beginner and advanced biodiversity tracking using the iNaturalist app. Observations by our community are helping track the ongoing wetland restoration.
Becoming a Water Quality Citizen Scientist: Participants received training on water sampling and then gathered at Hardwick Cove Beach to test water samples for dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and nutrient levels using professional monitoring gear. So many great discussions were had.
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Photo Credit and Descriptions: A participant at the plant propagation workshop Photo by Victoria Lant; Biosphere team providing instructions on the water quality sampling kits for volunteers Photo by Mia Toose; iNaturalist practice at Sandy Beach Photo by Victoria Lant.
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Members-Only Field Trips: One Final Outing for 2026!
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Five Unforgettable, Behind-the-Scenes and Personal Field Trips for 2026 and One More to Go!
Our 2026 Members-Only Field Trip series offered five unforgettable, behind-the-scenes and personal field trip experiences across the Peninsula. From spring warbler walks and blooming alvars to hands-on beekeeping at RavenStar, Anishinaabe Cultural Experneces at Cape Croker Park, and a sustainable straw-bale home tour in Pike Bay, thank you to all our volunteer leaders and engaged members - We love sharing our passions for the environment with you!
Don't miss the season finale:
Saturday, Sept 26: Alternate Watering Systems (AWS) Tour —Explore innovative solutions for agriculture and water stewardship.
Join us for a Member-Only Field Trip in the Ferndale area to see firsthand how solar-powered watering systems for cattle can support agricultural needs while helping protect local water quality and stream health.
RSVP to Reserve Your Spot
Experiences like this are just one of the many perks of membership! Join our community of conservation champions today by becoming a member: https://www.bpba.ca/membership
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Want to get involved? Whether you love getting your boots muddy, nerding out over spreadsheets, or making new friends at a BPBA info booth, we have a spot for you.
Volunteer Opportunities Opening Soon:
EcoAdventures Coordinator: Help curate our outdoor experiences, support our guides, and keep guests adventuring smoothly through the seasons.
Student Board Member (Representing Northern Bruce Peninsula): Build real-world leadership and non-profit experience, help connect Bruce Peninsula District School classmates to conservation, and bring a youth voice to our board table.
Water Quality Sampler: If you're located in the Six Streams area, you may be a good candidate to volunteer in our community science water sampler program! Full training provided.
Membership Champion: Help keep our member community engaged, organize our popular Members-Only Field Trips, and plan our annual appreciation get-togethers.
Fundraising & Event Crew: We put the Fun in fundraiser! Join us to help bring our signature events, raffles, and community fundraisers to life.
Governance Committee Lead: Have a knack for policy, non-profit structure, or ONCA standards? Help guide the organization towards growth and strategy.
Storyteller: Are you great at snapping photos, researching content, writing articles or creating cool graphics on Canva? Help us bring the Biosphere’s story to life! You’ll help turn the boots-on-the-ground work of our staff and volunteers into inspiring content our community loves to see.
Hands-on Field Helpers:
Gran Fondo Home Bakers: Fuel our cyclists on October 4 with your best homemade baked treats!
AWS Pasture Crew: Help inspect and maintain our Alternate Watering Systems to keep cattle hydrated and local streams clean.
Keep an eye on https://www.BPBA.ca/volunteer and our socials over the coming weeks as full role descriptions go live and the website is updated. Or send an early note to [email protected] to tell us where your passions lie!
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