BPBA Newsletter - Spring 2024 - Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association

WINTER 2024 - What's New

Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association Membership Advantages

Free for BPBA members! Outdoor field trip 2024 series:

Net Zero Home Tour - "Live off the grid with electricity left over for your car." Glen Estill June 29, 2024
Tree ID and their Ecology 101 – "Trees are a biological cornerstone to the ecology of the Peninsula, so let's step back to the basics." Meet at Cameron Lake – Tyler Miller – July 13, 2024
Wetlands - "The Disappearing Wetlands on the Saugeen/Bruce: Why do we need to preserve them?" Meet us at the Eastnor Swamp - Neils Munk
Cape Croker - "Anishinaabe Cultural Experience at Cape Croker "- Caley Doran
Birding 101 - "Birding for the Beginner: Meet us on location and get started "- Pat Sein
Bruce Peninsula Geology - "A Day at the Beach: The Geological Wonders of Black Creek Provincial Park "- Jenna McGuire, August 24, 2024

Members also get 25% off EcoAdventures!

EcoAdventures 2024

It's back! Our Snowshoe the Grotto adventures started on December 30th and run until the beginning of March. This exhilarating trek through the snowy forest and along icy shorelines is a thrill for first-time snowshoers and veterans alike. All equipment is provided on this guided experience that takes you to one of Ontario's natural treasures.

Book your adventure at Myecoadventures Snowshoe the Grotto

Owl Prowl - Join us for a star-lit stroll through wood and wetland with local birding experts to listen for owls at their most active time of year. Learn about these fascinating nocturnal creatures, their habits and habitats, mimic their calls and listen for an answer from the darkness!

Choose from two dates: Friday, March 1st or Friday, March 15th. Book your adventure at Myecoadventures Owl Prowl

Climate Action - FREE Heat Pump Workshop!

Wondering if a heat pump is right for you? The Biosphere is hosting a free Heat Pump Workshop! Join us Saturday, February 24th, 2024, from 9:30 - 11:30 AM at the Lion's Head Rotary Hall, 59 Main Street, Lion's Head, Ontario.

Heat pumps are an environmentally friendly way to save energy costs while still providing effective heating and cooling for your home.

Everything you need to know in one workshop! For more information, go to BPBA - Heat Pump Workshop

Easter Eggs - YUM!

We are creating easter eggs to raise funds for the Biosphere. We offer semi-sweet with rum, milk chocolate with no rum and semi-sweet with no rum. We will be having our sale during the weeks before Easter. Our website at BPBA.ca will have details soon on where you can buy your eggs! Also, look for our article in the Bruce Peninsula Press in March.

Exciting news from 2023

We've purchased a wetland for restoration!

After a long and involved process, the Biosphere Association was able to purchase a property that is part of a significant remnant portion of wetland on the peninsula. This property, near the headwater of Judges Creek, the source of which is a karst spring, was altered by a manmade channel that has been draining the greater wetland area. Part of the restoration involved restoring the water flow to its original state.

With generous Government of Ontario funding to purchase and funding to restore from Greenbelt Foundation, as well as substantial investment from the Biosphere Association, this project has helped to preserve the property's value and function.

Please support us with a donation

2023/2024 Septic System Program well underway

We have now completed two successful septic workshops - the first was held on July 26th at the Pike Bay Community Centre, and the second was held on August 12th at the Stokes Bay Community Centre. During these workshops, participants had their questions answered and learned about the inner workings of septic
systems, how to correctly care for their system, proper water and product use, and the Biosphere Association's septic incentive program.

Pump-outs and inspections

Over two years, the Biosphere Association has funding for 50 household septic pump-outs and inspections to help identify any problems with a system. We also have funding for the installation of 10 effluent filters.

Replacing faulty septic systems

$4,000 subsidies are available to help
homeowners when they replace faulty systems. Funding will be available for at least 15 households. At this time we are focusing efforts in the Northern Bruce Peninsula, south of Miller Lake.

Next Generation Field Water Management

The goal of our Bioremediation Project is to investigate solutions that reduce phosphorus loading in lakes and streams. With funding from the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario, the team working on the project has recently completed another phase of important work on field water management.

Watch the Video

Gravel Gran Fondo 2023 Report: Riding the Bruce for a Good Cause!

Over 400 riders participated in the 4th annual Bruce Gravel Gran Fondo charity bike ride, a sellout event held on October 1, 2023. All proceeds from the ride support the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association. According to the Biosphere Association chair, Elizabeth Thorn, “This event is our biggest fundraiser all year."

With an army of volunteers over 100 people strong, the cyclists were treated to homemade butter tarts, designer shirts, and multiple water and refreshment stations with fresh fruit along the ride. A huge thank you to all the sponsors, riders and volunteers who made this event such a success!

Gran Fondo - Looking forward to 2024!

The Gravel Gran Fondo has a loyal following and sells out months in advance. With four routes to choose from, ranging from 34 to 56 to 80 and up to 115 km, the event attracts riders of all abilities and all ages. One thing all the routes have in common is beautiful scenery.

If you are interested in participating in the 2024 Gravel Gran Fondo, it will be held on the first Sunday of October - October 5th.

Rider registration is opening soon, so please register early to avoid disappointment, as this event has been selling out earlier each year! If you would like to be a volunteer or sponsor the event, please visit the website: https://www.brucegravelfondo.com/

Bayside Astronomy was back!

After 3 years of absence due to COVID-19, the popular dark sky program returned to the peninsula last summer. Despite some cancellations due to hazy conditions brought on by the forest fires and some rainy evenings, over 2000 attendees made it out.

Some of the highlights - Aurora Borealis a couple of nights, when there was no moon in the sky! Program Manager Dante Hunter enchanted participants with his star talks, and the regular group of volunteers was enhanced with some new additions with their own scopes. Finally, Herschel, a 20" Dobsonian Telescope, made its first appearance on Friday, Aug 18th, to show Saturn, the moon, and many other Deep Sky Objects DSOs to delighted participants. For the first time ever, Bayside had a satellite operation in Cedar Rail Campground. A Perseid meteor shower wowed attendees on the Aug 12th weekend near Chelsey, which attracted more than 250 attendees thanks to volunteers Lee and Christine Brown.

Volunteer

EcoAdventures - fun for families and friends

This past summer’s offerings included old favourites, Brave the Caves, Night Hikes, and the Summer House Escape Room. Summer student Sarah Flanagan was hired as a full-time guide, and for marketing/promotions. Her main focus was the Summer House Escape, which was also the season's most popular adventure. Thanks also to guides Caeli and Chris, who are now running our 2024 EcoAdventures and to all our volunteer sweeps!

Go to: Myecoadventures.ca