S2 |Rewind Design| E11 Georgian Bay Biosphere - Mnidoo Gamii with Executive Director Becky Pollock
Becky Pollock
Executive Director of the Georgian Bay Biosphere | Mnidoo Gamii
“Becky has been part of the senior management team since 2008. She is passionate about sustainable communities and wants to make a difference in her favourite place on the planet… Georgian Bay! Previously, Becky did a doctorate in environmental politics (Trent University) to learn how different groups can govern a landscape like eastern Georgian Bay. Her Master’s program (University College London) focused on communicating science to the public. She is adjunct faculty at the University of Waterloo. Most of her time is spent with her family out swimming, paddling or skiing on beautiful Georgian Bay.”
Today’s episode of the Rewind Design Podcast is being brought to you by the ThinkBoyd Real Estate Team. The Team of Nicole and Geoff believe that buying or selling real estate is more than just a transaction – it’s a connection that should feel like working with family. For their local perspective and sage advice, If you’re thinking of buying or selling, think Boyd. Part of Royal LePage Team Advantage, Realty Brokerage Inc. Think Boyd Real Estate Team.
Welcome to Episode 11 of Rewind Design Season 2! If you are brand new to this podcast, welcome! My name is Katy McNabb and I am a registered Interior Designer working in Ontario’s Cottage Country. I am on a mission to share sustainable ways of building, promote green energy and document the history of the Cottage Country.
On this week’s episode, walk with us through the world of conservation and the role of The Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere in preserving the Georgian Bay region from invasive species, climate change, and uninformed development impacts. Understand how every action, big or small, influences our environment and biodiversity. In an informative and enlightening conversation, we speak with Becky Pollock, the Executive Director of the Georgian Bay Biosphere.
IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
The Biosphere's history, designation by UNESCO and its mission to preserve and enhance the area while ensuring sustainable development.
The Biosphere's intentional respect and acknowledgment of the Anishinaabeg people, and the efforts made to incorporate their culture and language in various initiatives.
How the Biosphere aspires to reconnect with the land and culture through land-focused learning
LISTEN TO OUR INTERVIEW BELOW!
Questions for Becky!
Can you explain the Georgian Bay Biosphere to the readers and what the mandate and mission of the organization is?
The Georgian Bay Biosphere is both a landscape designated by UNESCO in 2004 and a charitable organization called Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii, or GBB, founded in 1998 with an office based in Parry Sound.
Landscape designation: the Georgian Bay Biosphere is a UNESCO designated biosphere region, situated within Anishinaabek territory along eastern Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. It is within the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 and Williams Treaty of 1923. The territory of 9 First Nations and jurisdiction of 7 municipalities are involved in the regional work we do.
Our UNESCO biosphere region is one of 4 in Ontario, 19 across Canada, and over 700 around the world. Nominated by volunteers, and supported by key stakeholders, the Georgian Bay Biosphere region encompasses the eastern coast of Georgian Bay and stretches approximately 175 kilometres from the Severn River in the south to the French River in the north. The biosphere boundaries generally follow the highway 400/69 corridor in the east to the outer islands in the west.
This region is globally significant as it contains the world’s largest freshwater archipelago (or largest collection of freshwater islands) known locally as the 30,000 islands. It’s an important area for migratory and island-nesting birds, rare species, and their habitats.
GBB TEAM!
From across Ontario, the team comes together to form a united front to protect the Georgian Bay Biosphere.
Charitable organization: While GBB is an important landscape, it is also an inclusive and dynamic organization and registered Canadian charity with its administrative office located in Parry Sound. Our mission is to nurture a balance between humans and nature in the region, to help conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable development. With this mandate, our work is very wide ranging but we have to remember it’s mainly about PEOPLE and how we protect the environment, build a healthy economy, and create vibrant communities. Everything we do is through partnerships in this region.
Sustainable communities can best be achieved by working with other groups and organizations committed to the same goals. Our work necessitates creating partnerships, building networks, facilitating dialogue, and coordinating programs with others. We feel that bringing diverse perspectives together can help to create synergies that solve complex problems, like climate change.
We acknowledge gratitude for, and work with, 9 First Nations (from Chimnissing/Beausoleil to Wikwemikoong Unceded Territory) and 7 townships and municipalities in this incredible region, as well as a dozen cottage associations, and over 100 other organizations, and others beyond our boundaries, such as across the Near North District school board, North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit, or with the Muskoka Watershed Council.
How does the Biosphere educate the public?
Education has always been at the heart of what GBB does, and it has been our focus for 20 years. Some of the main education programs are the outdoor Lessons-in-a-Backpack available online, and also delivered to schools, designed to engage children in making personal connections with nature and thinking critically about human impact. The Township of the Archipelago also sponsors our Kids in the Biosphere program for 200 families, which is designed to encourage kids learn more about the Georgian Bay Biosphere with fun hands-on activities at the cottage
THE GBB IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATION!
The “Lessons in a Backpack” are a wonderful way to teach quick environmental lessons to kids of all ages! https://georgianbaybiosphere.com/lessons-in-a-backpack/
Other examples include:
Hosting events like turtle hatchery tours, guided Biosphere Walks, webinars about climate change and zero emission vehicles, State of the Bay conferences, gardening workshops, and partnerships with the Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth and their birch bark canoe - wiigwaas jiimaan - and so much land-based learning for Indigenous youth.
We typically host and attend about 100 community events each year, often with information, activities, and our educational foxsnake and snapping turtle ambassadors.
Providing conservation guides and resources on our website like the Life on the Bay stewardship guide, pollinators and native plants guide, turtles on roads guide, as well as a variety of cultural resources;
Providing species at risk training for public works departments; and much more!
THE GBB IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING ANISHNAABEK YOUTH
https://georgianbaybiosphere.com/anishinaabek-youth/
Can you speak to the new name of the GBB - Mnidoo Gamii? (say: Min-ah-doh guh-mee)
In 2020, we removed the word "reserve" and out of respect, incorporated a traditional Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) name for Georgian Bay into our name. Several world biosphere reserves in Canada have made similar decisions, dropping the word “reserve” and replacing it with “region” or a locally preferred name. In 1970, when the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve program launched, there was a strong focus on the core protected area of each site; however, the word “reserve” has caused confusion since a biosphere reserve does not legally “reserve” any part of nature, like a park (although it may contain parks) but rather celebrates people in nature - a working landscape - and supports sustainable livelihoods n special places.
The change was recommended by our Cultural Advisory Circle and supported by the Board of Directors and staff, and the words Mnidoo Gamii – or Great Lake of the Spirit - to celebrate Anishnaabek culture and teach people about where they are.
For common usage, the name Georgian Bay Biosphere (GBB) is used and our new website domain is georgianbaybiosphere.com.
GBB - MNIDOO GAMII WORKS TO PROTECT THE GEORGIAN BAY SHORELINES
And tons of other initiatives too!
What are the main issues you are focused on in 2023?
Collaboration at the coastal-landscape scale, for more effective habitat protection.
Understanding and protecting biodiversity, trying to adapt to climate change and share changes in State of the Bay.
Cultural awareness, truth and reconciliation, and taking a Two-Eyed Seeing approach in our work so Indigenous Ways of Knowing can thrive alongside western science, and perhaps teach mainstream society about responsibility and sustainability.
Taking innovative approaches to climate mitigation (reducing GHGs) by launching our Regional Climate Action Plan.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Take a look at https://georgianbaybiosphere.com/donate/ for more info!
How can listeners/cottagers get involved?
Become a Biosphere Member
Donate online as any amount has a huge impact!
Your business/organization could sponsor one of our programs
Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter at the bottom of our webpage
Dedicate securities or a legacy as a powerful gift for the future
Support our Native Plant fundraiser every June
Shop for Biosphere swag to show your support
Join us at events & share what you learn with others!
THANK YOU BECKY!
What a pleasure it was to meet and interview you!
Today’s episode was brought to you by the ThinkBoyd Real Estate Team. The Team of Nicole and Geoff believe that buying or selling real estate is more than just a transaction – it’s a connection that should feel like working with family. For their local perspective and sage advice, If you’re thinking of buying or selling, think Boyd. Part of Royal LePage Team Advantage, Realty Brokerage Inc. Think Boyd Real Estate Team.
Follow along my journey on Instagram!
