Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations
FOCA is the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations, a not-for-profit organization representing volunteer associations and individual property owners all across Ontario. FOCA acts as an information bridge between policy-makers and property owners on significant issues, including:
- The long-term environmental integrity of Ontario’s freshwater resources
- Fair property taxation
- Effective land use planning
- Risk management for volunteer groups
- Rural safety and emergency preparedness in the face of extreme weather developments in recent years
The Crane Lake Association is one of the 500+ Associations who are members of FOCA. In addition to granting the CLA access to FOCA's resources and expertise, our Members have access to FOCA's many additional benefits!
LINK: www.foca.on.ca
Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve
Designated by UNESCO in 2004, the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve is an area of 347,000 hectares that stretches 200 km along the eastern coast from Port Severn to the French River, in the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, also known as the 30,000 Islands. The unique geography and geology of the area create more than 1,000 distinct habitat types which support a variety of rare species, including plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve model aims to integrate core protected areas (such as provincial and national parks), surrounding buffer areas (mostly Crown Lands) and an outer transition area of communities that support sustainable development. The biosphere reserve does not affect existing jurisdictions but creates a forum for cooperation and operates through community partnerships. The Crane Lake Association is a member of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve.
The Township of The Archipelago (TOA) has partnered with the GBBR to deliver community programming to ratepayers. The goal of the partnership is to provide for high quality and accessible, environmental information sharing and programming. This specifically means working to increase environmental literacy and awareness among ratepayers within the Township of The Archipelago and increasing the capacity to address/respond to environmental issues, challenges, and opportunities.
LINK: www.gbbr.ca
Township of the Archipelago
The Archipelago is a township in central Ontario, Canada, along the Georgian Bay in the District of Parry Sound. The municipality consists of two non-contiguous parts, separated by Carling Township and the Parry Sound. The northern part includes the village of Pointe au Baril on the mainland and most of the geographic townships of Shawanaga and Harrison.
Crane Lake falls in the TOA, who provides many municipal services to its members, including advising of the Fire Rating.
LINK: www.thearchipelago.on.ca
Safe & Quiet Lakes
Formed in 2011 by representatives of Lake Associations in Central Ontario, Safe Quiet Lakes works collaboratively with community stakeholders to promote safer and quieter lakes. They believe that lakes should be:
- Safe for everyone who wants to use the lake every day; safe for swimmers and all types of motorized and human-powered craft. High speeds, oversized craft and excessive noise increase the risk for everyone.
- Quiet enough so that everyone can enjoy nature’s sounds, speak at normal voice levels and not be startled or awakened by intrusive noises.
- Sustainable environmentally so we can share this resource with future generations. Large wakes erode shorelines, loud noises disrupt wildlife and emissions damage the environment.
- Protected by all residents, businesses and visitors sharing in the responsibility of keeping our lakes safe, quiet and sustainable by talking to their neighbours and doing their best to reinforce safety and courtesy.
LINK: www.safequiet.ca
Six Star Snow Riders
Incorporated in 1986, the club name Six Star Snow Riders (SSSR) refers to the geographic areas that comprise our membership namely the Village of MacTier, Kapikog Lake, Healey Lake, Moon River, Lake Joseph, Otter Lake, Blackstone Lake, and Crane Lake. The SSSR trail system starts on Trans Ontario Provincial (TOP) C trail at the north side of the Moon River and runs up to the north end at Lake Joseph Road (just south of Schmidt Lane). The eastern trail C102D joins with the Muskoka Snowmobile Region (MSR) at Foot’s Bay, leading into Village of MacTier. The SSSR trail system consists of over 180 kilometres of well-maintained, wide trails offering a variety of snowmobiling opportunities. The TOP trail system enables riders to travel through quickly, while excellent family-oriented trails also give snowmobilers the chance to take in great scenery at a slower pace.
LINK: www.sixstarsnowriders.ca