Great Lakes Conservation

Ontario - Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin Island is the world’s largest freshwater island. Found in the northern waters of Lake Huron, it is home to some of the world’s most pristine alvar communities, known as nature’s rock gardens. Species such as northern dropseed and prairie smoke adapted over centuries to survive the harsh climates of the alvar’s arid summers and freezing winters.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is working to protect the island’s Gore Bay Savanna and Coastal Wetlands complex, home to pristine Great Lakes habitats and global rarities. This 1600-acre site supports five different alvar communities—including the world’s largest bur oak limestone savanna.

The extensive coastal wetlands are important stopover sites for migrating shorebirds and provide fish spawning and nursery habitat. The Nature Conservancy of Canada and partners have protected more than 20,000 acres of significant habitats on Manitoulin Island.