Friends of Sauble Beach

The Friends of Sauble Beach (FSB) is a grassroots group of over 100 families who volunteer their time and raise funds to make Sauble Beach a more environmentally and user-friendly beach. The group has been in existence since 2000, is non-political and devotes itself to educating beach users about the benefits and attributes of our beach and dunes - including the plants and animals that make the beach a unique functional coastal ecosystem. The vegetation on the dunes protects them from various types of erosion, such as high winter winds, fluctuating water levels and constant wave action.

Since its inception, the group has raised almost $300,000 that has been spent on management plans for the beach, improving access to the beach while discouraging the use of informal paths that damage the dunes, developing two major access points at the centre and north end of the beach, and installing beachfront benches, educational signage and providing brochures. The FSB Lookout, which is also the centre access point, has seating, educational signage and provides a panoramic view of the beach. Both major access points are fully accessible. In 2011 the group ran a seminar for Councillors and staff of the Town of South Bruce Peninsula, the community and local Grade 7 and 8 students. The three expert speakers dealt with “Beach Processes” and were well received by over 100 residents as well as the students.

FSB works in concert with the Town of South Bruce Peninsula, which owns and manages the beach. FSB receives project approvals from the Town of South Bruce Peninsula prior to starting work, and at times, additional meetings and consultations are completed with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

FSB believes that our success lies in focusing on the beach and dunes, having a “can do” attitude and cooperating with the municipality.