2025-Nov-27
Vision 2050 Survey Shows Stronger Than Expected Backing for Enhanced Protection of the Bay
The Georgian Bay Association (GBA) determined, after much research, that Georgian Bay lacks an integrated regional approach to conservation planning and protecting ecosystems. Through its Vision 2050 team, GBA aims to develop a regional conservation plan for the eastern and northern coasts of the Bay that is based on actions, shared values, and principles that are used in existing parks, conservation reserves and other conserved areas across Canada and throughout the world. Our goal is to develop a plan that’s officially recognized in Ontario’s conservation and planning legal and policy framework, like the Greenbelt.
To help us better understand the challenges we’re facing on the Bay we created a survey for our GBA members. Many of you received a request, either from your cottage association newsletter or perhaps through our GBA eUpdate, to participate in GBA’s Vision 2050 Survey.
Your Vision 2050 Steering Committee felt that to better understand the threats that Georgian Bay is facing we needed to speak directly to our key stakeholders – you – our members.
The survey was created to learn about what matters most to our members when it comes to protecting the unique natural environment, ecosystems heritage and biodiversity of the eastern and northern coastlines of Georgian Bay. Basically, the things we love so very much about Georgian Bay.
Our survey asked you to provide your thoughts, comments and concerns, on a five-point scale, where you Strongly Agreed; Somewhat Agreed; Didn’t Know; Somewhat Disagreed or Strongly Disagreed on what you felt were the major threats to Georgian Bay.
We asked you to tell us how you felt and where you stand on things such as the environment, the Bay’s waters, wildlife habitat, wetlands, your concerns around invasive species, water quality and pollution. In addition, we asked you if you felt that your family’s cottage experiences were being threatened by rapid growth and development, expanding recreational use, tourism-creep, and climate change.
The Survey was in the field from June 21 to September 28. In total we received 1025 total responses (which is an incredible response rate!) of which 732 GBA members engaged along with 302 non-association member respondents. While we cannot determine who these 302 non-members are we feel fairly strongly that many of them are already part of our existing GBA community through families and extended families. They just haven’t signed up for their own full or associate member cottage association membership yet.
The Vision 2050 survey provides us with some incredibly valuable insights into conservation and environmental priorities on the Bay. Overall, the findings highlight a broad awareness of the key issues at hand and the challenges Georgian Bay is facing.
Topline Member Survey Results:
- People are very concerned with Environmental Pressures including water pollution and declining water quality, the loss of biodiversity and species at risk, habitat fragmentation from development, and inconsistent land use and zoning.
- 76% cited their concerns on water pollution and declining water quality while 51% cited lack of enforcement of environmental regulations.
- Among the five Conservation Strategies presented, 78% of the respondents strongly agreed that we need to prioritize protection/conservation zones; 68% felt very strongly that we need to strengthen our land use and development policies.
- 68% strongly agreed that rapid Residential, Commercial and Tourism Development could threaten Georgian Bay’s nature, natural landscapes, and water quality.
- 53% of our members felt that it is important for all stakeholders to foster close working relationships with Indigenous communities to help with the conservation and stewardship of Georgian Bay.
Here are a few charts of the data collected. A more fulsome report will appear in the Winter issue of UPDATE.
The survey included 293 total written comments – 177 from GBA members. Our team is currently categorizing and analysing the data to identify recurring themes to help inform the upcoming Discussion Paper.
The Vision 2050 survey is an incredibly important tool that you helped create. It will help guide strategic environmental planning partner and our 2050 Team to deliver a regional vision for enhanced protection of Georgian Bay’s natural and cultural heritage.
And last but certainly not least, a Big Thank You to everyone for taking the time to fill out our Vision 2050 Survey – your insights and opinions mean a great deal to the Bay – and to us!
PS – To those 10 early survey respondents – your hats are in the mail!