Shawanaga Island IPCA

04/03/2026

Why does Shawanaga conduct Massasauga rattlesnake ssssurveys? 🐍

Zhiishiigweg (Massasauga rattlesnake in Anishinaabemowin) are viewed as healers, protectors, and medicine keepers in Anishinabae culture. Their rattle is a reminder to take only what you need and leave resources, like blueberries, for other beings.

During Massasauga surveys, snakes are carefully handled and observed using tools like snake hooks, snake tubes, and foldable laundry baskets. Each snake gets a small brush of nail polish on its rattle for future identification, with different colours representing different survey years. Massasaugas captured in 2025 were painted white!

Massasauga rattlesnakes are threatened by habitat loss, road mortality, and human persecution. Sadly, fear and misinformation have led many to harm these snakes.

By documenting where Massasuaga rattlesnakes live on Shawanaga Island, we can protect wetlands and shorelines, reduce human–wildlife conflict, and support safe coexistence. Every observation helps us care for the land and all the beings that call it home.

03/25/2026

Foxsnake Nest Box Update🐍 🥚

In fall of 2023, Shawanaga’s Species-at-Risk team installed nest boxes to support Eastern Foxsnakes, a threatened snake species in Ontario. These boxes mimic natural nesting conditions to help improve hatching success where natural sites are limited.

We are proud to share that our nest box at the Shawanaga Landing recorded the first confirmed use of a foxsnake nest box in central Ontario!

During the 2025 BioBlitz, a neonate (baby) foxsnake was found on Shawanaga Island, confirming female snakes are nesting there. Using what we’ve learned using nest boxes on the mainland, we’re now exploring nest box placement on the Island to further support this important species.

03/17/2026

It’s Turtle Tuesday!🐢

Shawanaga’s Species-at-Risk team conducts turtle surveys across Shawanaga Island to learn where turtles are nesting, basking, and moving between wetlands.

By understanding where turtles live, we can make informed land use decisions to protect sensitive habitats while improving safe access to the island for community members.

All 6 turtle species found around Shawanaga are at-risk, meaning that their populations are declining and they face ongoing threats like habitat loss, road mortality and nest predation. Identifying critical habitat is key to protecting the areas they depend on to survive.

Our surveys include visual encounter searches and detailed habitat mapping. Captured turtles are carefully measured, photographed and given a unique notch in their shell to identify them before being released.

Caring for turtle habitat is part of our responsibility to the land and waters of Mnidoo Gamii. 🌿 🌊

03/13/2026

Have you seen this unique channel marker on your way to Shawanaga Island?🛥️ 🌊

This is the remains of the Metamora, a tugboat commissioned in 1864. She once patrolled what was then Upper Canada and later ferried passengers and goods across Georgian Bay before sinking in 1907. Today, she rests in the shallow waters near Turning Island, west of Shawanaga Landing.

Rather than removing the wreck, her sturdy hull was repurposed as a fixed channel marker to help guide boaters safely through the passage. The Metamora now stands as both a reminder of Georgian Bay’s busy shipping history and an iconic landmark many boaters recognize along the way.

03/05/2026

Highlights from our 2025 BioBlitz🍃 🌲 ☀️

Last August we hosted a BioBlitz on Shawanaga Island with 30 participants from 6 different partner organizations.

Together we observed a total of 415 observations from 220 species!

The species breakdown this year was:
🌿 128 plants (266 observations)
🐜 48 insects (79 observations)
🍄 16 fungi (27 observations)
🕷️ 8 arachnids (15 observations)
🐸 5 amphibian species (8 observations)
🐍 4 reptile species (7 observations)
🦅 4 bird species (4 observations)
🦌 2 mammal species (3 observations)
🐚 2 mollusk species (2 observations)
🦞 2 crayfish species (2 observations)
🪱 1 millipede species (1 observation)

Congratulations to Kylie Maceachern for recording the most observations and Stef Matis for recording the most species! 🎉

Chi Miigwetch to participants from Georgian Bay Land Trust, Moose Deer Point First Nation, Georgian Bay Forever, Township of the Archipelago, Georgian Bay Biosphere, and Wildlife Preservation Canada.

03/03/2026

What is a BioBlitz?🌱 🪲 🔍

A BioBlitz is a community science event where people come together to document as many species as possible in a set place and time. From plants and insect to birds and reptiles, every observation helps build a clearer picture of local biodiversity.

For the Shawanaga Island IPCA, BioBlitzes help us understand species diversity, identify species at risk, strengthen partnerships, and spend meaningful time on the land. They bring together community members, knowledge holders, and researchers to connect people to place while supporting informed stewardship.

Stay tuned for highlights from our 2025 BioBlitz👀

02/27/2026

Two’s company, three’s a crowd🫎🫎🫎

Check out some clips of Moozo (moose) and Waawaashkesh (deer) spotted in Naiscoot this fall using our drone’s thermal imaging camera!

In the fall, male moose and deer enter the “rut,” or mating season. During this time, they become more active as they look for females and may act aggressively toward other males while competing for mates.

02/23/2026

New signs are up on Shawanaga Island🍃

We’ve installed new informative signage to help visitors learn about the history of the island and the IPCA, sensitive habitats, and Shawanaga’s hatchery!

By sharing knowledge, we strengthen our relationship with the lands and waters of Mnidoo Gamii.

Can you find all 5 new signs? 👀

07/07/2022

We have got some exciting news!

The Shawanaga Island IPCA has officially got an area for individuals, partners, or any interested parties to donate to the project. These donations will be used towards staff wages, programs/events on Shawanaga Island, Maintenance of docks and various other project needs. We look forward to continuing conservation efforts and growing this project together,

Any questions or concerns please contact Chris at: [email protected]

Donations can be sent to: [email protected]

Chi-Miigwetch,

02/01/2022

The Lands Department is currently in the process of creating a Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Shawanaga. The goal of this project is to reduce the impacts associated with climate change and extreme weather and increase our resilience to them. As part of the process, we kindly request your participation in completing our Climate Vulnerability Assessment Survey. We identified climate change impacts back in Nov, and the next step is prioritizing which impacts are the most pertinent to the community and this region, those impacts that we are highly sensitive to, and that we lack the appropriate adaptive capacity to respond to. This process will also help gather feedback from you to see if these statements accurately reflect the impacts projected to occur in the Region as a result of climate change and extreme weather.
This survey should take roughly between 20-30 min of your time. All participants will be entered into a draw for 3 prizes which will be raffled off.
Survey: https://arcg.is/qWOaO0
Miigwetch!

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