Community Comes Together for Harbour Clean-Up and Waterfront Stewardship Initiatives
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Collingwood, ON [20 August 2026] – Residents and visitors came together throughout the Sidelaunch Days festival weekend to celebrate Collingwood’s unique connection to Georgian Bay through a variety of waterfront activities, demonstrations, and community experiences.
A highlight of the festival was a harbour clean-up organized by Blu Wave Board Co. with support from Georgian Bay Forever. Participants took to the water on stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes to collect litter and debris from the harbour, removing an impressive 76 kilograms of waste.
The initiative embodied the spirit of Sidelaunch Days and the stand-up paddle board community, encouraging people to enjoy being in, on, and around the water while also caring for the environment that supports recreation, tourism, and community well-being.
This commitment to environmental stewardship extends beyond the festival weekend.
“The harbour clean-up was a great example of residents and visitors coming together to enjoy Georgian Bay while taking meaningful action to help protect it,” says Mayor Yvonne Hamlin. “The volunteer efforts supporting the NVCA’s phragmites removal program further demonstrate our community’s shared commitment to caring for our shoreline and waterways.”
Volunteers are also supporting the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) in ongoing efforts to remove phragmites, an invasive plant species that threatens local shorelines and wetlands. One volunteer event was held on August 15, with another scheduled for August 22. By participating, community members are helping protect and restore healthy waterfront ecosystems throughout the region.
Those interested in joining the August 22 event can meet at 4 Cove Court (Wildwood Condos).
The Town thanks Blu Wave Board Co., Georgian Bay Forever, the NVCA and all participants for their efforts and commitment to environmental stewardship. Their contribution will have a positive impact on the health of Collingwood Harbour and the broader Georgian Bay ecosystem.
By combining recreation, community engagement, and environmental action, the harbour clean-up and ongoing shoreline restoration initiatives showcase the values that make Collingwood’s waterfront a source of pride for residents and visitors alike.
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