The Protected properties

Since its first donation of land in 1991 the Georgian Bay Land Trust has grown to steward 34 properties in the Eastern Shore and Northern Channel comprising more than 1,300 acres of land that is geologically, environmentally and historically significant.

The properties range from those that have been donated to the GBLT to those purchased by the GBLT and in one instance, a long term stewardship lease arrangement.

The properties owned by the GBLT are designated 'reserves', while 'easements' refers to land where the original owners retain ownership of the property but put restrictions on the property to limit development and maintain the natural state of the property. The GBLT monitors these properties on an annual basis. These properties remain private land and therefore are not available for public use.

Balancing Protection and Public Appreciation

In an effort to balance environmental protection and public appreciation for our properties, the Longterm Stewardship Task Force was established in June 2010 and has since developed a strategy that addresses how best to manage current and future use of the GBLT’s properties in such a way that it doesn’t negatively impact the environmental features.

The recommendations put forward from the Task Force have been approved and steps towards implementation are in place. The recommendations focus on four areas:

• GBLT Visitor's Guide - a guide of how visitors can use properties open to the public responsibly and do their part in protecting environmental features

• Communications and Education Strategy – opportunities to communicate and educate users and stakeholders about the GBLT’s stewardship program

• Enforcement of rules – mechanisms for ensuring rules put in place to protect properties are followed

• Categorization of properties – each property will be identified as being one of three categories to help people understand how a property may or may not be used based on environmental features and historical use

Progress on the implementation of these recommendations will be updated here on an on-going basis.

Some of the GBLT properties welcome quiet recreation opportunities that do not have a negative impact on the property’s environmental features. Permitted uses on these properties include non-consumptive, low-impact recreation; activities like picnicking, swimming, hiking, and photography. No fires, camping, disturbance and destruction of plants, animals, rocks, etc. are allowed, and we ask that visitors do not leave any garbage, including animal and human waste, on the properties. Certain properties also have specific restrictions - please read property summaries by clicking on the property of interest to learn more, and keep an eye out for Environmentally Sensitive Area signs on properties which identify especially sensitive areas where people and pets are not permitted.

If you are visiting a property and see a problem that you would like to report, please call our Property Hotline at 416-440-1519 x 6 and leave a detailed message. Our Land Protection Program Manager will follow up promptly to your call.

By clicking on the list of properties along the side, you will find information on the property's significance, specific rules to follow when visiting, as well as personal reflections and anecdotes from the volunteer stewards.

You can share your stories, too, by becoming a GBLT Property Pal. You can become a Pal of one of the properties, or as many as you like, simply by clicking on the 'Become a GBLT Property Pal' icon on each property profile.