GBA Update Spring 2025

EMPLOYEE UPDATES

Celebrating Bill Lougheed’s Conservation Legacy

By Sarah Koetsier, Communication Director, Georgian Bay Land Trust

A few months ago, Bill Lougheed retired after 11 years as Executive Director of the Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT), leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of conservation and environmental stewardship. His dedication, vision, and tireless work have helped shape the future of Georgian Bay’s wilderness, ensuring its protection for generations to come. Under Bill’s leadership, the Land Trust flourished. He worked closely with hundreds of landowners and funding partners to establish 42 new conservation reserves, protecting 8,581 acres of pristine Georgian Bay wilderness in perpetuity. He also spearheaded the Corridor Project, an ambitious initiative to create a connected habitat corridor along eastern Georgian Bay. The first phase of this project, completed in 2024, encompasses an impressive 32,900 acres. Thanks to Bill’s efforts, some of Georgian Bay’s most ecologically valuable forests, islands, and wetlands will remain untouched, preserving the region’s biodiversity and natural beauty. Bill also expanded GBLT’s role in conservation science. He forged partnerships with university researchers, bringing professors and students to Georgian Bay to study its unique ecosystems. He introduced the Land Trust to the Motus wildlife tracking network, linking the region to international bird research. His vision also led to the establishment of the Land Trust’s first field station, creating opportunities for passionate conservationists from outside the area to contribute their expertise and energy. Beyond Georgian Bay, Bill worked to strengthen the broader conservation movement. He served on the board of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, collaborated with fellow executive directors through the Canadian Land Trusts Working Group, and was a

founding member of the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts. Through these roles, he advocated at both provincial and national levels, playing a key role in securing critical funding for land trusts through Canada’s Nature Fund and Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership. His leadership helped bring new resources to conservation efforts in Georgian Bay and beyond. Bill has left the GBLT in a thriving position for the future, with exciting conservation initiatives underway, well-managed stewardship funds, and a dedicated team that he has mentored and inspired. His leadership has ensured that the organization remains well-equipped to protect Georgian Bay’s natural heritage for generations to come. As the Land Trust embarks on this next chapter, we are delighted to welcome Andrew Young as the new Executive Director. With a background as Executive Director of Outward Bound Canada and Vice President of Diabetes Canada, Andrew brings extensive leadership experience, along with a deep personal connection to

Georgian Bay through years of camping, canoeing, and cottaging in the region. Thank you Bill for 11 years of outstanding service to conservation, and for the legacy you have left for us all in Georgian Bay’s natural places. Here’s to many more years enjoying the fruits of your labour in Go Home Bay!

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Spring 2025 • GBA UPDATE