In January 2026, the Canadian Geopark Network (CGN) reclassified the Georgian Bay Geopark project from “Aspiring Geopark” to “Other Projects”, and listed them under “Potential Geoparks”. The removal of the “aspiring” status is a correction from what had been permitted earlier. In a July interview with Parry Sound North Star, David Schimpky, Director Secretariat for…
The Georgian Bay Aspiring Geopark is not like them. At 48,000 square kilometers, it is 6.1 times larger than Canada’s largest geopark, and 86.5 times larger than Canada’s smallest geopark. With a planned 100+ geosites, it will have 3.6 times more sites than Canada’s largest geopark, and 9.1 times more sites than Canada’s smallest geopark….
These are the fundamental requirements as published on the UNESCO website. Any italicized content predicated with “Our Assessment:” is not published by UNESCO. 1. Geological heritage of international value In order to become a UNESCO Global Geopark, the area must have geological heritage of international value. This is assessed by scientific professionals, as part of the…
In 2022, Parks Canada released a report titled Georgian Bay Islands National Park of Canada and Beausoleil Island National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan You can access the full report here. The following are excerpts from the report: Established in 1929, Georgian Bay Islands National Park is Canada’s smallest national park, consisting of 50…
In 2021, Parks Canada released a report titled 2021 – 2026 Visitor Use Management – Flowerpot Island. You can access the full report here. The following are excerpts: Between 2010 and 2017, the number of annual visitors increased from 24,432 to 123,849, a +407% increase in just seven years. One-third of visitors report feeling crowded…