The Town is enhancing its teamwork on stewardship as nesting season continues at Ontario’s most popular beach destination.
WASAGA BEACH, ON, May 28, 2026 /CNW/ – The Town of Wasaga Beach is excited to announce that two Piping Plovers have returned to the shore for the 2026 nesting season.
Signs have been set up in Wasaga Beach to mark protected areas for Piping Plovers and inform visitors about restricted access to help safeguard the species. (CNW Group/Town of Wasaga Beach)
“This is great news that shows the Town’s dedication to responsible stewardship,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “This Council believes that Wasaga Beach can be one of the top spots for recreation and nature experiences worldwide-where tourism, community, and conservation can thrive together. We’re proud of our parks staff, communications team, and municipal law enforcement who are leading this initiative with support from Birds Canada and our provincial and federal partners.”
As management responsibilities for the beachfront shift from the Province to the Town, Council and staff have formed strong partnerships in stewardship, upheld conservation practices, and worked on a longer-term beach management plan.
The Town continues collaborating closely with conservation agencies as well as provincial and federal partners to ensure habitat protection, public education, monitoring efforts, and ongoing stewardship.
Local stewardship in action
The Town’s stewardship team includes Parks staff members along with three Beachfront Ambassadors and two Destination Wasaga Piping Plover Technicians. Together, they monitor activities, provide public outreach and education, create interpretive signage, enforce bylaws, protect habitats, and coordinate efforts according to established Ontario Parks protocols along with federal Species at Risk Act requirements.
Birds Canada still provides field support and training for the Town including nest monitoring guidance and strategies for implementing threat mitigation measures like fencing or exclosures based on established protocols and federal standards.
Building municipal stewardship capacity
The Town has taken steps by hiring three Beachfront Ambassadors along with two dedicated Destination Wasaga Piping Plover Technicians:
A new beachfront by-law has been introduced giving Wasaga Beach some of Canada’s strongest local enforcement tools aimed at protecting sensitive shoreline habitats. This by-law carries substantial fines for actions that disturb wildlife or damage critical habitats or designated protected areas.
Together with Birds Canada, Piping Plover stewardship training has become mandatory for all staff.
A new parks information line was launched at 705-408-3336 so residents and visitors can easily get details about park regulations, beach operations, and responsible usage.
The goal of these initiatives is to provide Piping Plovers with safe nesting spaces while allowing residents and visitors to enjoy everything else that makes Wasaga Beach one of Ontario’s favorite summer spots-local businesses, special events-and more!
This summer tourism season-and nesting season-is underway. The Town wants everyone-residents as well as visitors-to remember they play a part in protecting both Piping Plovers as well as their delicate shoreline habitats.
Please respect posted signs; avoid entering fenced or protected areas; keep pets away from sensitive habitats; do not disturb wildlife; maintain safe distances from wildlife; listen closely to directions given by Town parks staff members.
Quick Facts
The area around Wasaga Beach is part of a globally important Great Lakes shoreline ecosystem which supports various species at risk. It also boasts being home to the longest freshwater beach in existence globally-a significant tourist attraction-and houses one of Ontario’s busiest “recreation class” provincial parks.
An estimated over 2 million people visit the town every year enjoying its beaches alongside local businesses plus special events held throughout different seasons!
In 2025 there were recorded 88 breeding pairs across Great Lakes basin including Michigan where most breedings occur!
Four successful nests were noted within Ontario’s Great Lakes during last year’s observation highlighting how crucial consistent science-based stewardship remains!
Two returning birds observed again signify growth since first sightings years ago starting off with just two birds seen back in 2023 rising steadily through four sightings each consecutive year finally landing us here now seeing another pair showing up again this time around!
To aid further recovery efforts towards ensuring stability amongst population numbers amidst potential disturbances during peak nesting times exact locations aren’t disclosed publicly instead clearly marked zones will be available enabling adherence towards guidelines preventing trespassers facing full legal ramifications should they enter those boundaries without permission!
Learn more: wasagabeach. com/imagine
Watch now: Town of Wasaga Beach You Tube
Media contact:
Karla Findlay
Special Projects Leader
Email Karla
Educational signage installed along the beach in Wasaga Beach to raise awareness about Piping Plover habitat protection and stewardship. (CNW Group/Town of Wasaga Beach) Town of Wasaga Beach Destination Wasaga stewardship team receives first training session with Birds Canada. (CNW Group/Town of Wasaga Beach) The official rainbow coloured Tourism logo of the Town of Wasaga Beach. (CNW Group/Town of Wasaga Beach) Cision
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Special Projects Leader
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Sandra Watts
General Manager Of External Relations | Director Of Communications , Destination Marketing & Intergovernmental Affairs
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