Giving thanks: SSJI celebrates achievements, community involvement

Administrator | Dec 07, 2025 | Comments 0

By Sharon Harrison
“The South Shore is one of those places that people instantly understand once they experience it,” shared Geoff Craig, South Shore Footpath project lead. “And the research is clear: the more time people spend in nature, the more they will love it, and the more they will work to protect it.”

After a year packed with special fundraising events, community advocacy, fun-themed educational programming and so much more, the South Shore Joint Initiative (SSJI) team shared an update on main on-going projects and provided a glimpse into happenings for 2026.

The special live webcast was the first of its kind for the organization. Hosted by SSJI president Cheryl Anderson, it celebrated all that has been accomplished, highlighting recent achievements by the volunteer-run charity where the focus was on sharing results, but also acknowledging those individuals, businesses and groups who help make it all happen.

Volunteer involvement, in some cases quite significant, was also recognized in this opportunity to express thanks, including to those local organizations SSJI partners with, as well as thanking donors and granting organizations, all of whom help SSJI deliver on its mission to educate and advocate for the protection of Prince Edward County’s South Shore.

The update highlighted three key areas, including the South Shore Footpath project with lead Geoff Craig, news from SSJI past president and South Marysburgh councillor John Hirsch on progress with the Hudgin Rose Nature Reserve and log house, along with a report on educational programming with Wild Thing educator Cheryl Chapman.

A big passion project for Craig by his own admission, he provided a detailed update on the progress to date, and milestones achieved thus far, on the South Shore Footpath project which proposes a walking-only (no ATVs, no bikes, etc.), low-impact footpath route from Point Petre to Point Traverse.

Sharing how they are following a careful step-by-step plan to make it happen with a three-phase approach, he spoke to establishing agreements to proceed across public land holders and land trusts in phase one, and private landowners in phase two.

Hirsch provided an update on the Hudgin Rose Nature Reserve and Hudgin Log House announcing a 15-year lease renewal with Nature Conservancy Canada for the property. He also shared details on the progress of the Hudgin Log House restoration efforts, of which significant progress has been made, noting how the house is now weather-tight and stabilized.

He also made mention of the creation of a South Shore Outdoor Education Centre and its expected launch for 2026.

Wild Thing educator Cheryl Chapman had much to share in which has been a busy year for SSJI’s Wild Thing education program, which has included National Wildlife Area tours, classroom visits, field trips, public education for children and youth (beginning in kindergarten), right up to seniors, with its various nature-based activities.

The SSJI grant-funded outdoor educational projects, which have included student educational experiences with theROC Youth Services and local schools, involved bird feeder and bird box construction, and the arts were introduced with plein air painting, along with gardening, all forming part of the educational fun.

Further details on each of the three speakers’ projects can be found below.

“These are only three of the on-going SSJI projects. Other highlights include documenting 200 years of commercial fishing in Prince Edward County, and designating the South Shore as a dark sky area,” shared Anderson. “We are working with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks on the management plan for Monarch Point and continue to collect data to help protect the biodiversity of the South Shore land and waters.”

The South Shore Joint Initiative is a Prince Edward County registered Canadian charity, where since 2018 the volunteer-led non-profit has created the future of Prince Edward County’s rare, unique and fragile South Shore. As mentioned above, their work is only made possible by grants, individual donations and enthusiastic volunteers.

“The South Shore holds globally rare alvar, rich biodiversity, and sits on a major migratory fly way: it is remarkable, and fragile,” added Craig, who said people protect what they know, and understand. “That is why by helping people experience the South Shore in a low-impact way is so important.”

A recording of the 20-minute webcast “Giving Thanks” can be found on the SSJI YouTube channel

South Shore Joint Initiative’s current fundraising effort is the Step into Nature Raffle with just 200 tickets available (draw is Jan. 5). More information on this, as well as SSJI, who they are and what they do, including upcoming events and ways to participate or donate, can be found at ssji.ca

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South Shore Footpath project
Geoff Craig, South Shore Footpath lead, updated on the South Shore Footpath project which proposes a walking-only route from Point Petre to Point Traverse, a project he describes as being one routed in conservation, well-being and community. He also reminded that the South Shore is the last undeveloped public shoreline on Lake Ontario, and the footpath is intended to be gentle, minimally marked and respects the land first.

In a three-phased approach, Craig outlined how phase one is seeking agreement to proceed across public land holders and land trusts, specifically the province’s Monarch Point Conservation Reserve, Canada Wildlife Services’ Natural Wildlife Areas at Prince Edward Point, properties owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Hastings Prince Edward Land Trust and Ducks Unlimited (who recently confirmed their interest to be involved).

Phase two is the establishment of more of a permanent footpath on the phase one lands while expanding with like-minded private landowners. And phase three is “achieving the dream of a continuous footpath across the entire South Shore, potentially even reaching Sandbanks,” explained Craig.

He indicated the biggest milestone to date was achieved just recently when a recommendation of a footpath through the Monarch Point Conservation Reserve (both parcels) was submitted to the ministry and Sandbanks, he shared. He said the submission is now formally in the management plan process for consideration and is a “major step” for the South Shore Footpath project.

“It represents tremendous work by volunteers on our path and heritage building and planning team. They logged hundreds of volunteer hours on the ground in all kinds of weathers, they used detailed GIS (geographic information system) mapping and ecological overlays to refine the corridor, they reviewed habitat, species, terrain, wetlands, disturbed areas and sensitive ecological features.“

He said they also developed stewardship measures, signage approach, monitoring considerations, invasive species awareness and land care principles. “They created evidence-based, conservation-first recommendation that give walkers a safe and importantly meaningful experience.

An agreement was put in place earlier in the year with the NCC for the first official section of the footpath at Maple Cross Coastline Reserve.

“We continue strong collaboration with Canadian Wildlife Services at Prince Edward Point and we are opening discussions on the Miller property with the new Hastings Prince Edward leadership team.“

Craig also touched on how time spent in nature improves mental health, emotional well-being, stress, cognition, physical health and connection.

“It also increases conservation values and stewardship behaviour. People who walk in nature places develop a stronger desire to protect it, so the footpath delivers two major benefits.”

Community outreach is also a big part of the equation, where he acknowledged the huge volunteer commitment, saying overall they are making excellent progress in phase one, and even phase two of the plan, noting that the volunteer team has grown, mapping capability has expanded, and the stewardship plan is complete.

“A big part of our work is building a ground swell of community understanding and, importantly, support as this is a long-term project. To do this, we are spreading the word with community outreach and engagement, followed-up, of course, with walks on the South Shore.”

Those conversations he said have repeated the same positive message, but have also built confidence, created trust, foster shared ownership, and they spread the word.

“People love the South Shore, they want to protect it, and they want to enjoy it in a way that honours it ecological sensitivity, and they raise the well-being benefits of a footpath.”

“We have momentum, we have partnerships, we have a thoughtful evidence-based plan and we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect one of Canada’s most special shorelines. This is our landscape, our legacy, and walking the land we love builds a connection that fuels its conservation.“

The aim is simple, he said: “Experience the South Shore without harming what makes is so special”.

Hudgin House. -Dale Smith photo

Hudgin Rose Nature Reserve and Hudgin Log House

South Marysburgh councillor and SSJI past president John Hirsch spoke to what’s been happening at the Hudgin Rose Nature Reserve located on Ostrander Point Road, part of a wide network of protected lands on Prince Edward County’s South Shore, situated across the road from the Monarch Point Conservation Reserve.

He explained how the Hudgin Rose Nature Reserve is widely considered a biodiversity hotspot of global significance with the area features stunning forest and wetland and alvar habitats, and is important for many species, including migratory birds, at-risk turtles, and butterflies.

It was noted that the original lease of the log house with the NCC which had expired last year was re-negotiated in May with “a unique nominal cost 15-year lease with NCC that enables use of the Hudgin Log House and grounds for SSJI-led heritage, education and appreciation purposes, low-impact outdoor recreation activities, nature study, and night sky viewing events”.

Another of SSJIs goals was to engage in the restoration of the Hudgin Log House, explained Hirsch. The log house is a heritage designated building owned by the NCC who purchased the property in 2018, to conserve its significant wetland, alvar and species-at-risk habitat.

“NCC has been a partner in this initiative from the beginning, working with SSJI over several years to support restoration efforts,“ added Hirsch.

He was pleased to announce that the house is now weather-tight and stabilized due to the work carried out, such as the stabilization of the log structure, a chinking of all the logs, restoration of the chimney, new windows, repair of the gable ends, etc.

Also a highlight was SSJIs outdoor education programming which conducted a number of all-ages outdoor education events and nature-based activities on the Hudgin House outdoor recreation centre property in the past four years, including engaging with PECI students, and youth from theROC Youth Services.

Events have included Monarch Days in 2021 and 2023, South Shore clean-ups, the popular Wild Thing educational events, and fundraisers have all been hosted on the grounds, and which are expected to continue and expand.

Wild Thing educational programming

Wild Thing educator Cheryl Chapman shared how 2025 has been a busy and diverse year for SSJIs Wild Thing education program which included national wildlife area tours sponsored by the Canadian Wildlife Services which saw 100 people come out, including children from Reaching for Rainbows, and folks from the newcomers club.

In total, Wild Thing made 15 classroom visits, and conducted 10 field trips in the past year, connecting 600 local students, their teachers, and by extension, their families to nature, and our South Shore, explained Chapman. In all, 2025 saw Wild Thing deliver 13 youth programs, connect 155 young people to nature, and construct 120 nest boxes.

Nature-based activities with the Picton library storytime and March break pop-up events encouraged 258 folks, young families, to explore local nature with curiosity. Wild Thing participated in seven public education activities, engaging with over 400 people.

“We attended Family Day events for the County, the HUB, Wild Hearts for school, as well as the Milford Fair and Footpath Rotary Club walk. Wild Thing provided activities and learning opportunities for the SSJI Fest and organized a very successful Monarch Day in Delhi Park.

She said the Wild Thing education program had a busy year with 25 school programs, 34 public events, 1,500 people, young and old, engaged in learning about the South Shore.

Wild Thing school programs involved students from kindergarten through Grade 9, including special needs classes. Last winter, the tracks and pelt programs saw field trips to the NWA for Grades 2, 6 and 7, with follow-up classroom visits. The Grade 2 winter bird program delivered at school, focused on adaptations of living things, and explored liquids and solids, as bird feeders were made.

Spring brought the signs of spring program for Grade 1 and special need classes out to the South Shore to explore for seasonal changes, with Grade 2s studying the characteristics and adaptations of birds.

“New this spring was nest box building with Dick Bird’s kind guidance, students from kindergarten to Grade 7 constructed nest boxes of their very own,” shared Chapman.

She said, this fall, they have been leaning into the arts offering youth an opportunity to see nature through an artist’s perspective.

“Grade 9 students sketched and used pastels to capture the beauty of the South Shore, while Grades 6 and 7 were plein air watercolour painting with local artist Tim Snider. Some of their work will be on display at the Square Foot Art Show and Sale in the New Year.“

While visiting the NWA, students involved in indigenous studies, enjoyed participating in traditional games. For kindergarten to Grade 4, they delivered in the field nature prepares for winter program, and in the classroom, owls.

A municipal grant allowed Wild Thing to do several youth programs and public events, the most notable was working with theROC youth in a gardening project, where the youth were involved in planting, maintaining and harvesting gardens (the harvest was devoured and the students made dishes). Also, herbs grown were dried and made into teas and hand creams. In addition to theROC, youth from the library team programs and Girl Guide groups participated in several nest box workshops.

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