YMCA Camp Partners with Georgian Bay Islands National Park

Junior Naturalists help Parks Canada protect species at risk

August 30, 2017                        Honey Harbour, Ontario                   Parks Canada Agency

Parks Canada is a recognized leader in conservation and, through its Conservation and Restoration Program, takes actions to preserve national parks and contribute to the recovery of species-at-risk.

Turtles, bees, bats, and butterflies are just some of the species in Canada that are facing a challenging future. Georgian Bay Islands National Park is proud to have partnered with the YMCA camps on Beausoleil Island to engage with youth as part of a Junior Naturalist program, building new ecosystem habitats for these species. Providing innovative programs and services, such as this, allows more Canadians, including youth and newcomers, to experience the outdoors and learn about our environment and history.

Georgian Bay Islands National Park is home to several turtle species including two species of special concern, the Northern Mapping Turtle and the Snapping Turtle. Both of these species have high mortality rates due to poor nesting locations and nest predation. Springtime visitors to the park may have seen turtle nest boxes placed throughout areas in the park where turtle eggs had been laid. Working with the YMCA Junior Naturalists, the boxes protect eggs from predators and are visible, which helps ensure eggs laid alongside trails to not get stepped on or run over. They also promote discussions on the importance of turtle habitat with visitors. Once turtles hatch, they make their way out of the boxes and head towards water. Helping ensure turtles safely lay eggs and hatch successfully will have a positive impact on turtle populations and biodiversity within the park.

YMCA Junior Naturalists also helped create more native habitat through the planting of bee, bird, and butterfly friendly plants and flowers in gardens near the visitor centre on Beausoleil Island. These gardens will support pollinators and help maintain a healthy ecosystem. Most of the world’s plants rely on pollinators to grow and reproduce. Work has also been undertaken to support the endangered Little Brown Myotis Bat. While it is well known that bats eat nuisance insects, bats are also important pollinators. Bat boxes have been put in place throughout the Georgian Bay Islands National Park to help bats that have survived threats such as white nose syndrome and habitat loss.

Parks Canada takes the protection of the species under its care very seriously. Community conservation projects such as turtle nesting boxes, bat boxes, and pollinator gardens have an important role to play in helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change by protecting and restoring healthy, resilient ecosystems.