Georgian Bay National Park
Yours truly had the pleasure of introducing Victoria Evans, Park Naturalist. Victoria is from Liverpool but grew up in the Toronto area and took her BA there. Then she went back to Liverpool to take a Masters in Evolutionary Psychology. She's been with the Park for 3 years and one part of her job is to promote awareness.
The Georgian Bay Park is the smallest one in the National Park system, though it spreads over a large area. Comprised of 63 islands from Beausoleil almost up to Parry Sound it's actual land area is only 14 sq. km.
The mandate of the Parks is to protect and present nationally significant regions of the Country and to promote understanding and enjoyment. Each Park typifies a type of topography and, put together, they would represent a puzzle of the original Canada. The Parks try to promote visitor experience and education but also have to protect as much as they can.
They do outreach to marinas, schools, special events and groups. Protection of this Park is especially difficult because it is hard to patron and maintain so they try to work with local groups and landowners to keep it beautiful. Most people in this area are familiar with Beausoleil but many don't realize it actually represents two types of topography, the more southern part is forest while the northern is in the Shield. The park is part of the island chain that makes up the largest freshwater archipelago in the world and that is in some of the cleanest water in the Great Lakes.
This is especially important to amphibians, which are generally in decline due to loss of habitat, etc, because they need clean water. GB Park has the greatest diversity of reptiles and amphibians of any Park in the system, mostly due to the two types of geography. The Massassuga and Fox snakes and the Spotted Turtle are all native but endangered. 15 species are currently listed at risk and there may be more soon, eg. the snapping turtle.
There is also thousands of years of Aboriginal history, especially in the southern end of the island and ongoing archeological explorations, in partnership with First Nations, are being done.
The Park is in the sweep of land and islands that has been designated a World Biosphere site by UNESCO, along with places like the Amazon Basin and the Galapagos Islands. But the area is prime cottage and recreation country and there is competition. Reduction and fragmentation of habitat, conflict from misunderstanding, poaching, are all part of why animals are in danger. Catching or killing a listed species is illegal but there are poachers and there is an exotic pet trade.
Approx. 60% of the population are phobic about snakes and the rest don't really like them and so snakes are often persecuted. Road mortality is serious as well.
There are different experiences available in the Park - camping areas, ranging from comfortable to rugged - kayaking and canoeing though you might want to be careful of all the boat traffic in high summer - birdwatching and hiking. There is a day tripper boat that leaves Honey Harbour 3 times a day and you can come back or take camping gear over and stay awhile. There's a new welcome centre in Port Severn, and a new interpretive centre at Big Chute.
Fred Hacker asked what the cultural component of Parks Canada would be and Victoria said there were about 150 historical sites they manage, including aboriginal sites. Roger Gignac asked about new or invasive species but she thought most here would be water born or maybe new grasses being seeded in spots left dry by low water. Although there are reports of lynx and cougar, they are still generally north of here, around Haliburton. Dean asked if research was being carried out on the railway and gravel pit and about compensation for the original owners. Victoria said she didn't know of any work on that and that the transactions are being done very differently now, with more negotiation and understanding.
Victoria introduced Pineapple, the fox snake, and as she walked around there were more questions and discussion.
Alison thanked Victoria for coming and for a very interesting presentation.