|
The Goal of the Franklin Island Project |
 To keep this Georgian Bay island undamaged for generations to come.
Franklin Island is a conservation reserve with increased visitation over the last few years from many different user groups. This is in part due to its close proximity to the mainland enabling easy access. When Killbear Provincial Park becomes full, campers are sometimes directed to areas like Franklin Island Conservation Reserve as an alternative. The island is a very popular picnic destination. Weekend paddlers, motor-boaters and sailors also cherish it for the stunning scenery, world-class swimming, and quiet solitude.
We have also noticed that when the alcohol ban is in place on the May 24 weekend, there is increased use by young people for parties. The Franklin Isle. area is renowned as a world-class sea kayak, sailing and motor-boating destination. These collective uses add up to considerable environmental stress – unless we all take extra care.
 Thunder Boxes and Campsite Cleanliness
At the beginning of this project, White Squall Paddling Centre joined with the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Association (GLSKA) to establish wilderness “thunder boxes” in popular campsites around the perimeter of Franklin. GLSKA took the initiative as a public service to build these boxes, and White Squall has been instrumental in installing, monitoring, and maintaining them throughout the paddling seasons. More recently, a partnership has formed around the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council including several local cottage associations, municipalities, local business, individual cottagers, and residents. (Read the latest news... )
The latrine boxes have been used heavily each season. There has been noticeable improvement in overall campsite cleanliness where a “thunder box” is located. It doesn’t take much to mess up a site simply because some campers are unsure about how to properly deal with human waste in a wilderness setting. If they have a box provided, they not only use it, but tend to keep the rest of the site much cleaner as well.
What is Franklin Island?
Franklin Island is a 2261 acre Ontario Provincial Reserve Park, part of the Great Lakes Heritage Coast Line & the Georgian Bay International UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The island has unique beauty, natural deep water harbours, excellent camping, and easy access from mainland. This makes it extremely an popular destination with all boaters (sail, motor, kayak, & canoe).
Current Project Partners
Several different groups and individuals have joined to help keep Franklin pristine. Here are some of them:
Great Lakes Sea Kayak Association has for the past several years, arranged a Franklin Isle Cleanup weekend in September. Members continue to help with campsite maintenance. The Georgian Bay Committee raises funds and secures funding to recruit & hire summer students to act as campsite stewards of Franklin and some of the outer islands of eastern Georgian Bay.
Snug Harbour Marina (705) 342-5552 owner Terry Gilbert has offered free ramp use for cleanup operations. He has also kept sites clean and picked up big garbage items for the cleanup effort. Terry makes a point of educating campers on proper campsite treatment and has encouraged responsible stewardship.
White Squall Paddling Centre has sent out staff to visit campsites, clean up, and relocated thunderboxes. This is a costly effort, but well worth it as staff have received much encouragement from users. Everyone seems to want to do the right thing.
West Carling Association is a local cottagers' group with a deep connection to Franklin Isle. They have agreed to fund the construction of new thunderboxes to assist in the effort. Members also individually help out with cleaning and monitoring sites.
East Georgian Bay Stewardship Council is a new group funded by MNR with a mandate to coordinate community efforts and partners in environmental projects in east Georgian Bay.
Wawanaisa Resort owners Peter and Dorte Wiltmann have taken on the task of monitoring and cleaning up campsites in the northeast corner of Franklin as part of the effort.
Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve Committee has shown a keen interest in being involved.
Bruce Davidson is a local cottager who has shown a keen interest in helping keep Franklin clean, and has been instrumental in encouraging other cottagers to get on board.
Peter Chapin is a local cottager who has kindly made donations in the past towards summer student wages.
Brenda Royce is a local cottager who has kindly made donations in the past towards summer student wages. |
