By: Elke Dyck
The Township of The Archipelago was incorporated in 1980 as a result of a strong desire by property owners to preserve its recreational character and the natural surroundings for generations to come through careful management and planning. The Township has a permanent population of about 530 residents and seasonally the population climbs to 12,800.
The Township, located within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, consists of a substantial part of the famous Thirty Thousand Islands in Georgian Bay as well as four inland lakes, Blackstone, Crane, Healey and Kapikog. It stretches from Twelve Mile Bay in the south to Parry Island and the South Channel, then north of Carling Township from the Twin Sisters to Charles Inlet and the Naiscoot River, a distance of about 100 kilometres from one end to the other.
Within the boundaries of the Township are the Massassauga Provincial
Park and Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park. Much of the land area is
undeveloped and a large part is Crown Land. The many islands, waterways,
and natural harbours attract visitors and cottagers from around the
world.
The Township of The Archipelago is proud to be partnered with the GBBR
since 2012. The goal of this partnership is to provide environmental
information sharing and community programming to increase awareness and
to address and respond to environmental issues and challenges. Programs
such as water quality monitoring through the Lake Partner Program, Kids in the Biosphere and the Love Your Lake
program that promotes shoreline stewardship are some of the ways we
are working together to increase environmental literacy and awareness.