ABOUT THE GEORGIAN BAY REGION
Located in the northeastern arm of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada, Georgian Bay is home to the longest freshwater beach and the largest freshwater archipelago in the world. Georgian Bay is known for its famous landscapes populated by windswept pines, plentiful fishing, and boat-access nature preserves surrounded by magnificent water. In 2004 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) designated approximately 175 km of Georgian Bay’s eastern coast as an official Biosphere Reserve.
LOCAL GOALS
UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
LOCAL PARTNER
GEORGIAN BAY FOREVER (GBF) is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to scientific research and public education on the Georgian Bay’s aquatic ecosystem. Their mission is to protect, enhance and restore the aquatic ecosystem of Georgian Bay. For over 25 years GBF has been funding and supporting scientific research on water levels, water quality and ecosystems educating the public and governments on issues regarding the environmental protection, conservation, and preservation of the water and natural features of Georgian Bay and enhancing the public’s appreciation for their environment. GBF works alongside many wonderful volunteers and communities dedicated to protecting the Georgian Bay.
DIVERT AND CAPTURE COLLINGWOOD
Divert & Capture was a pilot project started in 2018 in Parry Sound and has since begun in the Town of Collingwood, located in southern Georgian Bay. GBF has partnered with the Rochman Lab at the University of Toronto along with households in the community to reduce microfiber emissions one washing machine at a time with over 300 installations of microfiber capturing filters in the Town of Collingwood from 2021-2023. With increased awareness of microfiber pollution from our washing machines GBF hopes to see future policy change making a filter required in all washing machines at the manufacturing level. GBF also hosts shoreline cleanups throughout the summer bring the community together in cleaning up our shorelines and learning about the plastic pollution problem.
DIVERSION 2.O
The Diversion 2.0 project is installing 18 trash capturing devices (8 Seabins, 8 Gutter Bins and 2 Trash Traps) around Georgian Bay. The goal of the Diversion 2.0 Project is to remove plastic pollution from the Bay and prevent more from entering with the installation of these 18 devices and through complementary public education. This project also includes GBF’s Plastic-Free Georgian Bay campaign to assist businesses in reducing their single use plastic consumption. Lastly, this project utilizes Trout Unlimited Canada’s Yellow Fish Road program to teach children about pollution entering our waterways view our stormwater drainage systems.