One of Four UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Ontario - Georgian Bay

The four UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Ontario are among 700 worldwide protected natural spaces.  Each one contains unique land and water ecosystems, maintain a sustainable balance between the environment and human beings, protect at-risk species, contain important Indigenous and heritage sites, and focus on eco-education.

Today I am going to tell you about the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve which encompasses the eastern coast of Georgian Bay stretching about 175 km from the Severn River to the French River. Also known as 30,000 Islands, this biosphere reserve is made up of a cluster of islands, bays, and inlets that extend over 13,000 km² along the eastern shoreline of Georgian Bay. This unique reserve located in  the world’s largest freshwater archipelago supports forests and wetlands.

There are several things you can do in this Biosphere Reserve.  Hiking, snowmobiling, and canoeing are a few of the activities enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts. 

You can cross the suspension bridge over the French River and enjoy views of the rock-walled gorge below.  This suspension bridge can be crossed during the winter.  It is the largest snowmobile bridge of its kind in the world!

The French River which flows from Lake Nipissing to Georgian Bay is a historic waterway travelled by indigenous people, European explorers, missionaries, fur traders and voyageurs.  The 105 km long French River is a popular canoe route today and is managed by French River Provincial Park.  The park’s visitor’s centre highlights the history, geology and ecology of the area. An annual pow wow organized by the French River Visitor Centre First Nation and Aboriginal Advisory Committee is opened to the public in July.

You can take a hike into the interior of the Point Grondine Park through old growth pine forests along the Mahzenahzing River to Wemtagoosh Falls. This trail has a water crossing at Mahzenahzing Lake. Starting at the park trailhead, a self-propelled raft called the ‘water spyder’ takes you across the lake. On this side you can hike along the Mahzenahzing River to Wentagoosh Falls. At the falls you can find some backcountry campsites with water access at Cedar Lake.  The hike continues along Cedar Lake winding up and down narrow passages to the lookout site at Smugglers Canyon.  

You can paddle traditional routes of Indigenous Peoples in Point Grondine Park which is owned and operated by the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory as a backcountry wilderness park. The Park offers guided nature based and cultural tourism experiences for families, groups and schools.  Wikwemikong Unceded Territory is one of the ten largest First Nation Communities in Canada.  This territory is situated on the eastern end of Manitoulin Island and the shores of Georgian Bay. 

Georgian Bay Islands National Park is home to thousands of years of Indigenous history.  This island-based park is a core protected area of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve.  The National Park protects 50 islands. The park, located near Honey Harbour, Ontario, straddles two natural bioregions and has 25 species-at-risk. 

Read my next blog post and learn about another Biosphere Reserve located in Ontario.

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