The Bayfield and area community showed its generous support, for the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area, at a celebration and meet-and-greet event at Bayfield Town Hall. About 50 people attended the celebration evening on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. Generous donors and silent auction bidders helped to raise thousands of dollars towards the canoe and kayak launch project.
Cathy Lalonde, Chair of the Canoe and Kayak Launch Fundraising Committee, provided a land acknowledgement underlining the shared responsibility we all have to protect and steward the environment. “Bayfield Trails shares that mission, by maintaining places where we can all experience the benefits and importance of the nature around us,” she said.
She expressed thanks for a significant donation by a community donor, prior to the August 27 event. That generous donation ensures the canoe and kayak launch will be able to proceed. Building on that foundation, the fundraising committee is working to reach a total goal of $20,000 to complete the project. The event at town hall has put the finish line in sight.
She thanked everyone who came to the event and thanked all the donors, project partners, the trail association, the land trust, and the fundraising committee members. She also thanked Michael Finkbeiner, Senior Investment Advisor with Wellington-Altus, for his sponsorship of the evening. She also thanked Tyler Hessel and 1851 Bayfield Landing for having provided a cash bar at the event.
Municipality of Bluewater Mayor Paul Klopp brought greetings from the municipality. He thanked the community for its generous support of projects past and present. That support made it possible to purchase the river flats and, later, to connect Bayfield and the nature area with a pedestrian walkway. Now, further community support is making it possible to add a canoe and kayak launch. He thanked the donors and project partners. “That’s what it’s all about, everybody working together,” he said. He said the canoe and kayak launch “will be used a lot.” He also made a generous donation to the project.
Local historian Dave Gillians provided historic context about the importance of the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area and the amazing community mobilization that made its purchase possible.
Kelly Vader, President of Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA), spoke about a companion project to protect fish habitat and to use innovative natural means to protect a stretch of riverbank from erosion.
Nathan Schoelier, Ausable Bayfield Conservation’s stewardship, lands and education manager, and a staff advisor to Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC), provided a brief overview on the work of the land trust. He mentioned the five properties, including the river flats, that are permanently preserved thanks to the generous donors, to the land trust, who have left a lasting local nature legacy.
In addition to the short remarks made throughout the evening, there was also lots of time for Bayfield and area neighbours to mingle; enjoy hors-d’œuvres and a beverage, and to bid on silent auction items in support of the canoe and kayak launch project.
The Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is permanently protected by HTLTC as habitat for wildlife and as a recreation destination. BRVTA volunteers maintain the trail at no cost to the public. To learn more, visit the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association website. If you would like to donate to the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area canoe and kayak launch project, donation details are on the Bayfield River Flats web page. Any funds raised, in addition to the fundraising goal, will go towards maintenance of the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area.