We want to acknowledge the Traditional Territory of the Anishinabek Nation: The People of the Three Fires known as Ojibway, Odawa, and Pottawatomie Nations. And further give thanks to the Chippewas of Saugeen, and the Chippewas of Nawash, now known as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, as the traditional keepers of this land.
Friends want to acknowledge the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory
Our Goals
The Friends of Bruce District Parks Association strives to:
Foster Reconciliation & Relationships with Local First Nations People
Provide educational publications and goods focused on Parks Canada and the environment.
Support Parks Interpretive Programs and Facilities
Establish and maintain active members and volunteers
Support the park planning and management processes.
Maintain and showcase the lightstation on Flowerpot Island.
Our Mission
“The Friends of Bruce District Parks is a non-profit registered charity whose mission is to support Bruce Peninsula National Park, Fathom Five National Marine Park and their environs through conservation of historic buildings and by supporting interpretive and educational Programs.”
Who Are The Friends?
The Friends of the Bruce District Parks is made up entirely of volunteers who work in their individual ways to support the overall mission of the group. There is a hands-on board of directors and a very active membership. Those who are not interested in the management side of things often engage in different ways: Programs, festivals and caretaker duties are all assisted by members participating in ways that they enjoy best.
The History Of The Friends
Before the National Parks came to Tobermory, Fathom Five Provincial Park and Georgian Bay Islands National Park had a vibrant volunteer community involved in all manner of projects.The cultural history of the area was a big draw for many visitors interested in a place the past century had done little to erase. Scuba diving was also a major attraction. Beginners came for “checkout weekends” on shallow safe wrecks. More advanced divers explored the wealth of marine heritage represented by both the natural environment and the shipwrecks in the area. The early diving days were a wreck hunter’s dream with new wrecks located and charted every season. Lighthouses factored in the human and marine environments and remain some of the area’s most splendid cultural icons.
The original Friends of Fathom Five were responsible for many in-town enhancements including the building of the boardwalk and dive platform along the harbour across from the Grandview Motel. If you notice blue interpretive kiosks with historical information while strolling around town, you’ll be seeing further work of the original Friends. And of course, the museum and host house at Flowerpot Island have been ongoing projects of the group throughout relationships with both parks.
In 1987 Fathom Five National Park (now the only national marine park in Canada) was joined by Bruce Peninsula National Park (formerly Cyprus Lake Provincial Park). Friends extended their relationship and name to “Friends of the Bruce District Parks” to respond to the opportunities of working with both the marine and land-based parks. The Friends was incorporated as a Not for Profit Corporation in 1988, and is governed by a Board of Directors responsible for its many volunteer projects.