A New Era of Local Stewardship

The Piping Plover is a small, sand-coloured shorebird that nests on open beaches and shorelines. Because of its size and colouring, it can be very difficult to see against the sand. Piping Plovers are an endangered species. Their eggs and chicks are especially vulnerable because they are small, well-camouflaged and located directly on the beach.

Some areas at Beach Area 1 are temporarily fenced-off to protect the Piping Plover during its nesting season (May – July).

Only a small number of Piping Plovers return to Wasaga Beach each year, which makes every nest important. These small shorebirds nest in open sandy areas near the dunes, where their eggs and chicks can be very difficult to see and vulnerable to disturbance from people, pets, vehicles and beach activity.

Fencing and signage help give nesting birds the space they need to lay eggs, raise their young and move safely between the dunes and shoreline. These protected areas are temporary, carefully monitored and part of the Town’s commitment to responsible beach stewardship.

Please respect all posted signs and fenced areas. Entering restricted areas may result in fines and penalties under federal, provincial and municipal laws. 

Piping Plovers nest on open sandy beaches with sparse vegetation, which is also the type of shoreline people enjoy for recreation.

Their nests are simple shallow scrapes in the sand, often near dunes or natural beach features. Because these nesting areas can overlap with popular beach areas, temporary fencing and signage are used to reduce disturbance and help people avoid sensitive habitat. This approach allows the Town to support public access to open areas of the beach while protecting the specific places where endangered birds need space to nest safely.

The Town’s beach management practices are designed to protect the long-term health of Wasaga Beach’s shoreline, dunes, forests and wildlife habitat while supporting safe public access to the beach.

For the 2026 season, the Town will continue to follow established conservation protocols established by Ontario Parks, that have supported the protection of sensitive beachfront areas for many years. This approach supports a smooth and responsible transition from provincial to municipal governance while maintaining careful stewardship of critical habitat and species at risk.

Beach maintenance is guided by science, staff training, monitoring and coordination with qualified conservation partners. The Town’s goal is to protect the natural environment that makes Wasaga Beach special while continuing to welcome residents and visitors to enjoy our iconic beachfront.

The Town is taking a proactive, phased and science-based approach to Piping Plover protection at Wasaga Beach.

As responsibility for Beach Areas 1 and 2 transitions from the Province to the Town, the Town’s focus is on making sure the care of the beachfront remains thoughtful, informed and grounded in best practices. This includes maintaining the level of stewardship previously provided by Ontario Parks and building on it through collaboration with provincial and federal partners, conservation experts and local volunteers.

For the 2026 season, the Town is expanding on-the-ground protection through the addition of two Destination Wasaga Piping Plover Technicians. These seasonal roles will support monitoring and recovery efforts for the endangered shorebird, including beach surveys, nest monitoring, data collection and public education with residents and visitors.

The Town has also been working with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority to develop a comprehensive Municipal Piping Plover Beach Management Plan. This plan will help establish clear protocols for habitat protection, monitoring, public use and adaptive management over time.

In addition, the Town has begun installing educational and interpretive signage along the critical habitat zone and within the Town’s designated “no rake” zone. These signs are intended to help residents, visitors and beach users better understand sensitive shoreline habitat, follow posted protective measures and support the recovery of Piping Plovers during the nesting season.

The Town’s protection efforts include:

• Seasonal Destination Wasaga Piping Plover Technicians.
• Beach surveys and monitoring.
• Nest monitoring and data collection.
• Public education for residents and visitors.
• Educational and interpretive signage.
• Protection of critical habitat and the designated no-rake zone.
• Collaboration with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority.
• Coordination with provincial and federal partners, including Birds Canada.
• Support from trained community volunteers.
• Development of a long-term Municipal Piping Plover Beach Management Plan.
• Adaptive management based on monitoring, field conditions and best practices.

Only a small number of Piping Plovers return to Wasaga Beach each year, so the Town’s efforts are focused on careful monitoring, early identification of nesting activity and targeted protection where it is needed most.

This work is part of a long-term municipal approach to shoreline stewardship and reflects the Town’s commitment to protecting what makes Wasaga Beach special — from sensitive shoreline areas to the endangered species that depend on them.

The Piping Plover is an endangered species, and Wasaga Beach is one of the important places in Ontario where a small number of birds return to nest.

Only a few Piping Plovers typically return to Wasaga Beach each year, so each nesting pair represents an important part of the species’ recovery. Protecting nesting areas helps give these birds the best possible chance to successfully raise their young.

Protecting Piping Plovers is also part of protecting the broader beach and dune ecosystem. Healthy dunes and natural shoreline areas help support wildlife, protect the beach environment and preserve the natural character that residents and visitors value. Stewardship is not separate from enjoying the beach. It is part of making sure Wasaga Beach remains a healthy, beautiful and resilient destination for future generations.

Dunes are a vital part of the beach ecosystem. They provide habitat for wildlife, support native plants, help protect the shoreline and contribute to the natural beauty and resilience of Wasaga Beach. Dunes can also help reduce the impacts of wind, waves and erosion. Protecting dunes helps protect the beach itself. Staying out of signed or fenced dune areas ensures our extraordinary beach—the longest freshwater beach in the world—remains healthy for future generations.

A “no rake” zone is an area of the beach where mechanical raking or grooming is restricted to help protect sensitive shoreline habitat.

These areas may support native vegetation, natural beach processes, insects and other food sources that are important to birds and wildlife. They can also help protect habitat used by Piping Plovers during the nesting season.

The Town has begun installing educational and interpretive signage within the designated no-rake zone to help beach users understand why these areas matter and how they can support responsible shoreline stewardship.

Symbolic fencing is a temporary protective barrier used to identify sensitive habitat and nesting areas.

It does not fully enclose the beach like permanent fencing. Instead, it clearly marks areas where people and pets should not enter so nesting birds have the space they need to remain safe.

Symbolic fencing is commonly used to support shorebird conservation while allowing public access to other open areas of the beach. At Wasaga Beach, it is one of several tools used as part of a careful, science-based stewardship approach.

No – only a few Piping Plovers return to Wasaga Beach each year, and protected areas are established around the areas they need most. Typically, the Plovers nest in the protected land where the Nottawasaga River meets Georgian Bay, which is a federally designated Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). This area has always been protected and closed to residents and visitors. It’s also dangerous to swim near, with strong currents at the mouth of the river—there are many reasons why this area is restricted.

Protected areas are clearly marked with fencing and signage. Beachgoers are asked to respect these boundaries and use the other 14 kilometres of open beach areas for recreation.

Protected areas are temporary and are based on nesting activity, conservation requirements and monitoring by trained staff and volunteers.

Fencing and signage may remain in place while birds are nesting, eggs are incubating, or chicks are present and learning to forage.

Once the nesting period is complete and it is safe to do so, the Town’s restrictions may be adjusted or removed in coordination with our conservation partners.

Yes, you may walk outside fenced or signed areas, but please stay on open beach areas, follow posted signs and avoid lingering near protected zones. Giving these birds space is one of the simplest ways residents and visitors can help protect them.

No. In fact, dogs are only permitted on the sand at Beach Area 3. Please keep pets out of restricted areas, respect signage and use designated areas where dogs are permitted. Responsible pet ownership helps protect wildlife and supports a safe, enjoyable beach experience for everyone.

Drones should not be flown near Piping Plover nesting areas or other sensitive wildlife habitat.

Drones can disturb nesting birds and may cause stress or disruption during critical periods such as nesting, incubation and chick-rearing. Please follow all posted rules and applicable drone regulations, and avoid flying drones near protected areas, wildlife or crowded beach spaces. 

Please enjoy Piping Plovers from a respectful distance.

Do not approach nests, eggs, chicks or adult birds for photographs. Do not cross fencing, move signage, use bait, flush birds or interfere with natural behaviour. Long lenses and distance are strongly encouraged.

The best wildlife photography protects the subject first.

Enjoy the moment from a distance.

Do not approach, touch, feed or try to photograph the bird at close range. If you believe you have found a nest, chick or injured bird outside a protected area, please notify Town staff or a Piping Plover stewardship team member as soon as possible.

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Never move eggs, chicks, fencing or signage.

Please report damaged fencing, missing signage or concerns about a protected area to the Town as soon as possible.

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Do not try to move, repair or replace fencing yourself. Town staff or trained stewardship personnel will assess the area and take appropriate action.

Prompt reporting helps the Town protect sensitive areas and respond quickly when stewardship measures need attention. 

Everyone has a role to play in protecting Wasaga Beach’s natural environment.

You can help by:

• Respecting all fencing, signage and temporary access restrictions.
• Keeping people, pets and belongings out of protected areas.
• Giving birds plenty of space.
• Keeping the beach clean and disposing of garbage properly.
• Avoiding activities that may disturb nesting birds, including flying kites or drones near protected areas.
• Sharing accurate information with others and encouraging respectful beach use.
• Reporting concerns to Town staff instead of entering protected areas yourself.

Small actions make a meaningful difference.

Beach maintenance is carefully managed around sensitive habitat and protected areas.

Where Piping Plover nesting activity or critical habitat is present, maintenance practices are adjusted to avoid disturbance and protect the birds, nests and chicks. The Town will continue to follow established conservation protocols and ensure beach maintenance is carried out responsibly.

The designated no-rake zone is one example of how the Town protects sensitive shoreline habitat while supporting responsible beach use.

This balanced approach supports both environmental protection and the safe, responsible enjoyment of the beach.

Protected areas are established to protect endangered species, critical habitat and sensitive beach ecosystems.

Anyone who enters a restricted area, moves fencing or signage, disturbs nesting birds, or interferes with stewardship measures may be subject to enforcement under applicable laws and municipal regulations.

The Town’s first goal is education and voluntary compliance. Enforcement is available when needed to protect the beach, wildlife and public interest.

Contact By-law

The Town is working with qualified conservation partners and government agencies to support Piping Plover protection and long-term shoreline stewardship.

This includes work with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority on a comprehensive Municipal Piping Plover Beach Management Plan, as well as collaboration with provincial and federal partners who are sharing equipment, expertise and best practices as the Town builds local capacity. The Town is also engaging community volunteers to support stewardship efforts, helping residents take part in protecting the sensitive shoreline areas and wildlife that make Wasaga Beach special.

Destination Wasaga is about building a world-class, four-season destination while protecting the natural assets that make Wasaga Beach special.

The Piping Plover Stewardship Program is an important part of that vision. Responsible stewardship of the beach, dunes, forests and species at risk helps ensure conservation, tourism and community can thrive together.

A healthy beach is essential to a healthy community, a strong tourism economy and a high quality of life for full-time residents.

Environmental stewardship and thoughtful destination planning go hand-in-hand. The Town’s vision is to create a more resilient, accessible and year-round destination while protecting the sensitive natural systems that make Wasaga Beach unique. Protecting species at risk, dunes and natural habitat is part of responsible waterfront planning.

This approach supports residents, visitors, local businesses and the long-term health of the beachfront.

Qualified residents interested in supporting local stewardship efforts can sign up to volunteer through the Town of Wasaga Beach at wasagabeach.com/volunteer.

Volunteers may help support public education, monitoring efforts and respectful beach use during the nesting season. Training may be required depending on the role.

Community volunteers are an important part of building local stewardship capacity and protecting Wasaga Beach’s sensitive shoreline for future generations.

Interested applicants can apply for Destination Wasaga Piping Plover Technician roles through the Town’s careers page at wasagabeach.com/careers.

These seasonal positions support beach surveys, nest monitoring, data collection, public education and other stewardship activities during the nesting season.