In 2002 Canada and the United States endorsed a Lake Huron Binational Partnership
to meet the commitments of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement  to protect and restore Lake Huron.  Since then, this partnership has continued to focus on priority lake wide issues such as contaminants, loss of fish and wildlife habitat and ecosystem change.

The Lake Huron-Georgian Bay approach differs from the Lakewide Management Plans that were prepared for Lake Erie, Michigan, Ontario and Superior.  The Framework promotes a community based approach that works from the ground up along every shoreline and in
every community and it is a Canadian way to support the Lake Huron Binational Partnership.

By helping and encouraging everyone to take action, people will move from the role of observer to active participant, and this will help them to find a place for themselves to initiate change and take active leadership roles.  By signing the Charter we will be creating a common bond between everyone in the watershed so that we may act in a united force.

The Lake Huron-Georgian Bay Watershed Canadian Framework for Community Action is a people based approach to promote community action to respond to environmental issues across the watershed. It works on the belief that each individual, community and organization in the watershed operates independently, yet are united by the common cause of improving environmental health.

    ...together we will achieve much more than any one partner could do on its own!

The Framework is supported by people from across the watershed. Through the principles of the Framework we will work towards building awareness and initiating pilot projects about common actions so that we may all learn from them. The Framework includes a Charter statement that individuals, groups and communities can pledge to and this will help to unite all actions in the watershed that protect and restore the natural environment.

The Framework is a watershed wide approach intended to connect the actions of government and non government organizations, raise awareness about common environmental issues and actions and builds upon the existing strengths and opportunities in our communities by:

- Encouraging active participation to identify common issues and resource stewardship:

- Promoting environmentally responsible decisions and activities throughout the watershed;

- Establishing a shared network of contact people and environmental information; and

- Promoting local restoration and protection initiatives that can be adopted and implemented

Through the principles of the Framework, we will build awareness, support collaborative networks, and initiate pilot projects so that we may all learn and benefit from our efforts.  The Framework includes a Charter statement that individuals, groups and communities can pledge to, and this will help unite actions in the watershed that serve to protect and restore our natural environment. Read More!

There are many stories of communities in action across the Lake Huron Watershed. It is important to celebrate their achievements and share the knowledge gained so that others may build upon their successes. Here are a few of these stories:

The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation

Founded in 199 8, the Centre’s goals consist of protecting and restoring Lake Huron’s coastal environment and promoting a healthy coastal ecosystem on a lakewide basis. It recognizes that its work has to include the economic and social dimensions of sustainability, as coastal communities cannot have a healthy economy unless they have a healthy environment. By helping people link with groups along other parts of the lake, the Centre serves as a vital bridge between local issues and the larger bioregion. All of its work is focused on caring for the coastal environment in practical ways that can improve the health of the lake, its coastlands and its people.

Huron County Water Protection Steering Committee

Huron County created a committee in response to concerns about bacterial pollution and algae blooms, and subsequent health warnings to swimmers at their beaches and in streams. The Steering Committee sets priorities and recommends remedial measures and coordinates activities amongst participating agencies (conservations authorities, provincial ministries of environment and agriculture, and county planning and health departments) and local groups and individuals. The Steering Committee has provided an opportunity for the expression of diverse community interests, focusing on actions and outcomes, and has fostered an appreciation of opposing views and an understanding of the complexity of the water quality issues. Efforts of the Huron County Water Protection Steering Committee and citizen’s groups have also resulted in a Stewardship Guide for the Lake Huron Coastline. The purpose of the Guide is to engage lakeshore residents in the protection of the quality of our water.

Georgian Bay Littoral Biosphere Reserve

The eastern coast of Georgian Bay has been designated by UNESCO as a world biosphere reserve. The 347,000 hectares are considered the world’s largest freshwater archipelago (the 30,000 islands). The area within the biosphere reserve includes extensive shoreline, open water and adjacent mainland that stretches 200 km from Port Severn to the French River. In addition to its many conservation objectives, the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve will encourage sustainable community development, tourism opportunities, research, monitoring and education.

Severn Sound Environmental Association

Severn Sound is no longer listed as a Canadian Great Lakes “Area of Concern” due to many successful restoration projects that addressed environmental problems. The Severn Sound Environmental Association continues its mission to sustain environmental quality and ensure continued protection through a legacy of wise stewardship of Severn Sound and its tributaries. Several programs are underway that address Source Water Protection, Water Quality and Environmental Monitoring, Healthy Habitat, Pollution Prevention, Stewardship and Public Involvement.

Everyone of us can make a commitment to the Lake Huron Charter and take actions to support a healthy life sustaining ecosystem.

Individuals - can make environmentally responsible decisions in their lives that collectively contribute to overall improvements in the watershed. Recycling, conservation of water and energy, planting trees, maintaining natural shorelines and land stewardship are all examples of how individuals can help. Collectively, actions of individuals contribute significantly to all efforts.

Industry, businesses, farmers and developers - can provide leadership and innovation in the adoption of environmental values, best management practices, green principles and the implementation of stewardship practices which will help to lessen their impacts on the environment.

Local committees, ratepayer groups and clubs - can become more involved in initiating community based activities or by preparing and implementing plans that influence land use policy and promote stewardship actions in their neighbourhoods.

Non-government organizations - can be environmental leaders and help others through education and communication programs and through planning inventories, restoration projects and the preservation of environmentally significant areas.

Researchers and schools - can lead research programs, complete restoration projects and provide education programs to improve our understanding of the Lake Huron watershed ecosystem.

Aboriginal governments - can provide the collection and merging of traditional knowledge into science, research and monitoring, as well as identify environmental priorities and actions.

Municipalities, cities, towns, regions and counties - can provide direction for development through their official plans and make wise land use planning decisions. Municipalities have a responsibility for storm and wastewater collection and treatment and the protection of shorelines and environmentally sensitive areas. They can provide forums for local community groups to influence land use and stewardship.

Conservation Authorities - can provide leadership and guidance through watershed planning exercises and through stewardship, outreach, the provision of grant funding and land owner contact programs.

Federal and Provincial governments - can provide leadership, coordination, access to a wealth of scientific information and support various projects across the watershed and provide access to funding opportunities.

Read More!