Elizabeth Thorn Retires After 18 Years of Service to BPBA
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Elizabeth Thorn (second from right) with the Environmental Network group in October 2025. A group she worked hard to establish.
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The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association (BPBA) is bidding farewell to its longest-serving and most influential board member.
After 18 years of volunteer service, Elizabeth Thorn is stepping down from the BPBA Board of Directors, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of environmental leadership, community engagement, and conservation achievements across the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula.
Elizabeth joined the Biosphere Association in 2008, bringing a strong business background and a passion for protecting the natural environment.
Over the years, she became a driving force behind many of the organization’s most significant initiatives. Alongside her husband Jeremy, she devoted countless volunteer hours to grant writing, financial management, project development and management, and strategic planning. “As Board Chair for 14 years, Elizabeth has helped shape the Biosphere Association into the organization it is today,’ said Victoria Lant, the current Board Chair, “Her vision, dedication, and leadership have had a lasting impact on conservation efforts throughout the region.” Read More
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Saugeen Sojourn Last Minute Spots Available - June 27/28!
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We are ready for you to enjoy this meaningful experience offered in partnership with Cape Croker Park/Anishinaabe Cultural Experiences and the BPBA's social enterprise, EcoAdventures.
This overnight experience has been a long time in the making. Our mission is to connect youth, new Canadians, new campers, to nature while promoting reconciliation. By expanding understanding of the Anishinaabe people and their relationship to nature, we hope to build a broader more inclusive community.
This weekend trip is a fantastic opportunity to adventure and enjoy land-based learning while fostering our collective reconciliation and healing. Your adventure includes:
- Welcome ceremony, campfire and Anishinaabe cultural teachings
- Big Canoe tour of Sydney Bay (weather permitting)
- Guided fat bike tour of Cape Croker Park
- Guided trail hikes
- Overnight accommodations in a canvas-walled tent with cots on raised wooden platforms
- All meals catered by an Anishinaabe elder
This event has limited availability, so be sure to secure your spot on this illuminating experience! Please RSVP online or call 519-534-0571. If you need more info, just email us at [email protected]
4 Weekends Planned
- June 27/28 - Introductory price of $290/per person based on double occupancy in celebration of National Indigenous History Month
- July 25/26
- August 29/30
- September 26/27
Max 12 people
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Dive & Snorkel for Conservation - July 17-19, 2026
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PADI Women's Dive Day, July 17 – 19, 2026
The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association (BPBA), in partnership with Szilvia & Steve Mervyn, the new owners of Dive Life Tobermory, is proud to host an immersive, three-day fundraising event during the global celebration of PADI Women’s Dive Day. But this isn't just for divers!
There are 3 ways to get involved!
While the boat diving and snorkeling sessions are designed for female-identifying participants, there are 2 topside activities for landlubbers of all kinds to enjoy! No matter who you are, there's a place for you to join the fun.
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Bridging the Gap: From Shipwrecks to Ecosystems
The fascinating ecology of Fathom Five’s nearshore waters often goes unnoticed with all the focus on the historical shipwrecks. During this event, participants will learn about fragile ecosystems of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, which are teeming with freshwater mussels, unique fish species, aquatic plants, and interesting geological history. Women Beneath the Surface bridges this gap through hands-on learning, citizen science, and underwater exploration.
Diving with a Purpose
With a goal to advance the BPBA’s mission of fostering environmental stewardship, education, and sustainable development across the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula, this fundraiser seeks to:
- Create 44 new Citizen Scientists fostering a deeper connection with the nearshore waters of Lake Huron
- Celebrate local women in diving and leading environmental stewardship
- Long-term plan for ongoing citizen science engagement with scuba divers and snorkelers in Tobermory in partnership with Dive Life Tobermory.
- Raise $5,000 to support BPBA's water quality conservation projects
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Debunking the Myths: BPBA and Climate Action Committee Seminars Spark Intense Interest in EVs
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Last month, the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association and the Municipal Climate Action Committee hosted two highly successful electric vehicle (EV) seminars in Lion's Head and Tobermory. Driven by soaring gas prices, more than 50 residents attended to explore the realities of EV ownership and dismantle common myths. Ironically, while the Tobermory Community Centre's EV charging stations are finally available again, Tobermory's only gas station has closed, forcing drivers to travel 46 km to Ferndale for the nearest pump.
Simplicity, Efficiency, and Major Savings
Attendees learned that EVs are fundamentally simpler machines than internal combustion vehicles (ICE). By eliminating complex components like transmissions, mufflers, radiators, timing belts, and fuel injectors, EVs radically reduce maintenance needs—meaning drivers can say goodbye to routine oil changes.
EVs are also vastly more efficient:
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Energy Efficiency: EVs convert 95% of their electrical energy into motion.
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Gas Vehicle Waste: Conventional cars waste 75% of their fuel energy as excess heat. At a gas price of $1.75/litre, that equates to wasting $1.30 of every litre purchased.
Overcoming the Misinformation Fog
The seminars directly addressed prominent anti-EV objections, which are often amplified by groups with financial or political interests in stalling the green transition.
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The Fire Myth: While EV lithium-ion fires burn hot and require specialized extinguishing techniques, data shows that EVs are 20 times less likely to catch fire than gasoline cars. Gas cars essentially carry highly volatile fuel, yet EV incidents receive disproportionate media coverage.
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The Battery Longevity Myth: Attendees often ask, "What if the battery fails?" In reality, modern battery packs routinely outlast the lifespan of the vehicle itself. Furthermore, robust manufacturer warranties—frequently covering 8 years or 160,000 km—provide substantial peace of mind.
Real-World Insights from Local Drivers
A lively panel of local EV owners—including Terri Munn, Dr. Adam Matheson, Mike Campbell, Glen Estill, and Tim Matheson—shared their diverse experiences driving everything from the Kia EV and Chevy Bolt to the Tesla and Ford F-150 Lightning and Silverado EV pickups.
The panel highlighted key lifestyle benefits:
90% of charging is done conveniently at home, allowing drivers to wake up to a "full tank" every morning.
Ultimately, the consensus was clear: between the low cost of ownership, instant torque, and a quiet, smooth ride, EVs are no longer just the future of transportation on the Peninsula—they are the present.
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Bayside Astronomy Returns - June 26!
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Bayside Astronomy will be back again this summer, with more stars, more Greek myths, and more wow views of the moon, Saturn, Jupiter, M13 and all of your favourites!
Join us at the following times starting in June at dusk:
- Friday and Saturday nights at the POD (Peninsula Observation Deck), Lions Head Marina
- Sunday nights at Singing Sands
- Monday nights at Miller's Family Camp
- Wednesday nights at Summer House Park
This activity is always FREE, just show up, and enjoy a star talk, the views and amazing facts through our telescopes owned by local astronomers. We are very fortunate to have returning staff this summer, who we like to call, "The Dream Team" (Francesca, Grace and Patrick. We are fortunate to employ this team through funding from Canada Summer Jobs, Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, The Lions Club, and local donations!
We can't wait to see you this summer!
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Alien Escapes To Be Offered on Thursday Evenings at Summer House Park
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If Escape Rooms are more to your liking, do we have a new challenge for you. Aliens have been discovered on the far side of the moon, and are threatening to destroy the earth, unless you can solve some space-based puzzles to prove humanity is worth saving.
In groups up to 6 (kids allowed), solve the puzzles using a telescope, planisphere etc. to gain stars and eventually build the constellation that houses the aliens. This is an early evening activity and depends on the weather, cloudy is fine but the aliens don't like the rain, their body chemistry is too different. Registration coming soon!
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Welcome to our Seasonal Staff for 2026!
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We hit the jackpot with our staff this year and are incredibly grateful for the funding support from Canada Summer Jobs and ECO Canada. While these grants cover a significant portion of our staffing wages, they don't cover 100%—which is exactly why you see the Biosphere hosting exciting fundraisers throughout the year! Our team structure is a mix of short- and long-term roles, with some staff funded for eight weeks and others staying with us for up to eight months.
Since May, we’ve been thrilled to welcome our new Environmental Technicians, a Forestry Conservation & Community Outreach Coordinator, and a Digital Marketer to the team.
We have an amazing group of passionate people on board this season. You can read all about their backgrounds and what they’re working on by checking out their bios here:
https://www.bpba.ca/staff
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Member-Only Summer Field Trips Continue!
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The Biosphere team has planned a series of 2026 Member-Only Field Trips!
All Field Trips are FREE to Members, and we can't wait to have you join us.
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July 4, 9am - Anishinaabe Cultural Experience - Cape Croker, presented by Caley Doran
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Aug 12 , 1-3pm - Watt a Summer - Hosted at a private green home in Pike Bay (Solar home, heat pump, EVs)
- Sept 26 or 27 - Alternate Watering Systems Tour - various locations, presented by Dr. Jen Adams
Not yet a Member? Check-out our new Family Membership or give a Gift Membership to your friends and join us!
Register for a Member-Only Field Trip before summer is over!
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Water Quality on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula
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Community coastal water monitoring program underway!
Late-May/Early-June saw the start of BPBA’s water quality monitoring programs. This year we are continuing with our Eastnor Swamp wetland monitoring program, and the Six Streams monitoring program along Judges Creek, Stokes River, and Old Woman’s River on the NBP. We are monitoring for sediment loads, nutrients, oxygen, and temperature.
New to the monitoring program this year is the Community-based Science Coastal Water Monitoring Program. This year, 15 community volunteers in the areas of Barrow Bay and Stokes Bay are participating in collecting data on community identified priority issues along Lake Huron and Georgian Bay coastal and nearshore zones of the NBP. We will be increasing data availability and knowledge on water clarity and temperature, algal blooms, nutrient concentrations and sediment loads, among other parameters. Data will be used to develop local management strategies and watershed priorities, and to inform Lake Huron-wide management practices.
If you are interested in learning more about the community monitoring program, please reach out to [email protected].
Septic System Replacements and Improvements
The Biosphere Association is offering its septic system improvements program in 2026 and 2027, addressing water quality issues related to failing or aging septic systems in the Six Streams watersheds on the NBP. Failing or inadequate septic systems may lead to leaching of nutrients and bacteria to groundwaters and surface waters, leading to contaminated aquifers, and algal blooms in rivers and nearshore coastal zones. The program will fund inspections and pump-outs, and provides replacement incentives for failing systems.
Please reach out if you are interested in participating: [email protected]
Treeplanting at the Eastnor Swamp wetland property!
On June 4th and June 12th Biosphere Association staff and volunteers participated in native planting events at the BPBA-owned Eastnor Swamp wetland property on the South Bruce Peninsula. In total, over 150 trees and shrubs were planted on the property in the first half of June, which brings our total since 2024 to over 500 native trees and shrubs planted on the property. Survivorship over the years is also very successful, at over 90%.
The addition of native trees and shrubs to the degraded wetland property will help stabilize sediments and prevent nutrient transport thereby improving water quality downstream, increase climate resiliency by providing shading to aquatic systems, and provide habitat to wetland species.
Keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming water quality community workshops and events, including:
a. Plant propagation workshop
b. iNaturalist workshop to collect ecological data
c. Using personal drones to collect environmental data
d. Septics workshops – information gathering, and see a septic pump-out live
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Scott Parent, along with fellow adventurers, Billy Shearer and Andrew Ryzebol, trekked across ice and water from Tobermory to Manitoulin Island in February 2026.
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The Biosphere's AGM Held June 16, 2026
33 guests joined us in celebrating our accomplishments throughout 2025 as we explained our vision for 2026 and beyond.
Our guest speaker, Scott Parent, shared information on the Three Waters Foundation, an organization focused on cleaning up plastic waste in Lake Huron, along with his latest fascinating adventure, trekking and freediving under ice between Tobermory and Manitoulin Island this winter.
Business matters for the BPBA included sharing our positive financial position as well as voting to expand our membership charter to allow any Ontario resident with an appreciation for our work to become a voting member (previously limited to Northern Bruce Peninsula residents and ratepayers).
To see our 2025 financial results along with a copy of the AGM presentation visit https://www.bpba.ca/financial-statements
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Clockwise - 1.Current Chair, Victoria Lant, with Office Manager, Mia Toose and long-time member Elizabeth Sykes 2. Board Director, Mike Warkentin, Past Chair, Elizabeth Thorn, and Secretary, Pat Sein 3. Biosphere seasonal staff introductions 4. Victoria Lant introducing speaker, Scott Parent at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre
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