Cottage Stewardship Program

What is the program?

The Stewardship Program is a unique opportunity for those interested in experiencing the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula first hand, while at the same time helping nature.

We look for people who will love the unique qualities that the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula and Wingfield Basin have to offer, and who are willing to spend some time performing light volunteer duties at the station.

The Program takes place at Cabot Head Research Station, Cabot Head Provincial Nature Reserve. The Research Station is literally at the end of the road, situated in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and Dark Sky Community. It is a pristine location with wonderful opportunities for exploration, birding, botanizing, and just relaxing.

See the location map on our Contact Us page.

The program offers two waterfront cottages, Wingfield Cottage or Grebe Lodge, situated at the Cabot Head Research Station in Cabot Head Provincial Nature Reserve on the coast of Georgian Bay.

There are a minimal number of light volunteer duties:

• carrying out minor maintenance (cleaning windows, cutting grass, etc);
• recording observations;
• providing management messages to boaters and others using the property;
• additional duties may also be identified, as needed.

The Stewardship Program was developed as a way to both increase revenue to support the migration monitoring program, as well as to maintain a presence at the site when monitoring is not in operation.

The steward’s primary responsibility is to occupy one or both of the cottages. In doing so, the stewards maintain a presence at the site so it does not look vacant, and undertake basic maintenance (simple cleaning chores).

All bookings are weekly bookings, Saturday to Saturday.

All booking requests and reservations should be directed to the Site Administrator at bpbostewardship@gmail.com

Wingfield Cottage

• Two bedrooms (sleeps 6)
• Double bed in bedroom 1
• Bunkbeds in bedroom 2 (lower bed is a double)
• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Living room
• Amazing view
• Charcoal BBQ available

Grebe Lodge

• Two bedrooms (sleeps 8)
• Queen bed and set of bunkbeds in both bedrooms
• Kitchen
• Two bathrooms (attached to each bedroom on the lower floor)
• Living room with amazing window views of water
• Charcoal BBQ available

Important information

• Water is drinkable and is tested regularly. Because the cottage is on a septic system, water should be used sparingly and showers should be kept short.
• No ‘disposables’ should be flushed down the toilet.
• You can swim either in Wingfield Basin or in Georgian Bay. Kayaking is excellent, but be mindful of the weather and wind conditions.
• Road conditions: Cabot Head Road from Dyers Bay to Cabot Head is incredibly beautiful but some sections are rough and rocky. Please drive with care. The road is closed to the public but stewards and staff have access. 
• Cell phone reception is limited and there is limited internet.
• No campfires: Due to the remote nature of the site and risk of forest fires, NO outside open fires are permitted.
• All garbage is to be taken from the site during departure. During your stay, garbage/recyclables are to be left indoors to prevent attracting unwanted visitors. There are three available local waste facilities that are open during various times to accommodate your needs. Refer to waste site schedule posted on the cottage communication boards for details.

• We do not compost on-site as it attracts bears.
• What to bring: Bedding, pillows, towels enough food for your stay (grocery stores are located in Lion’s Head and Tobermory both approximately 50 km away), sunscreen, insect repellant, toilet paper rolls, personal items, binoculars
• Natural hazards: Poison ivy is quite prevalent in the area. Massassauga Rattlenakes, a threatened rattlesnake species, and Black Bears are occasionally found on the property. Black flies and mosquitoes can be a nuisance outdoors at certain times.

** Pets are not permitted**