China Cove Becomes Aah Mahwi Nibi: Shoreline and Habitat Now Permanently Protected by NCC
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has permanently protected 29 hectares near Tobermory historically known as China Cove and now renamed Aah Mahwi Nibi (Crying Water).
One of the last remaining stretches of unprotected shoreline on Lake Huron’s northern Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula is now permanently protected, following a conservation announcement from the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).
The newly conserved 29-hectare site, located west of Tobermory in an area known as China Cove, includes nearly one kilometre of undeveloped Lake Huron shoreline. It features rare wetlands, forests, and alvars that expand on an existing network of more than 24,200 hectares of protected lands on the peninsula.
In a prepared statement, the Nature Conservancy of Canada announced that thanks to the collaboration of local landowners, partners and NCC supporters, these lands and waters that had been “at immediate risk of development” are now protected forever.
“These ecosystems… are not just preserving a place—we are actively protecting biodiversity and deepening the connection between people and nature, of which we are all a part,” said Esme Batten, Program Director for Midwestern Ontario at NCC. “Conservation is a shared responsibility, and I feel incredibly grateful to work alongside a passionate community.”
The area is home to species of conservation concern, including the threatened eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, Hill’s thistle, and the midland painted turtle, which is listed as a species of special concern.
The site also carries historical and cultural significance. China Cove was named after the two-masted schooner China, which wrecked offshore in 1883.
Miptoon, an elder from the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and a member of NCC’s regional advisory board, visited the area and described hearing the water “crying out” and telling stories of the wreck. In recognition of this heritage, the area will now be called Aah Mahwi Nibi, meaning “Crying Water.”
With support from local landowners, donors, and various partners, the area is now protected in perpetuity. The location extends nearby conservation lands in a region known for birdwatching, hiking, and experiencing Lake Huron’s unique coastal environments.
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Todd McCarthy, noted the project’s scale and significance: “The Aah Mahwi Nibi (Crying Water) project will permanently protect 72 acres of land on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula, which is about the size of 180 NHL hockey rinks.”
Explore the protected region in this video entitled Crying Water - Aah Mahwi Nibi - Broll - Drone, filmed by Inspired Planet:
Support for the project came from multiple sources, including the Government of Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, the Government of Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership Program, and Bruce Power’s Environment and Sustainability Fund.
MPP Paul Vickers (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound) praised the effort: “I am so pleased to see community and nature come together to see China Cove be protected for generations to come. I would specifically like to recognize the donors behind this project.”
The protected area adds resilience to the region’s ecosystems, providing sanctuary to species whose ranges are shifting northward due to climate change. It also safeguards water systems that feed into Lake Huron and preserves alvar communities—unique ecosystems that support plants such as the ram’s head lady’s slipper, a species linked to post-glacial landscapes.
As part of its long-term stewardship plan, NCC encourages the public to explore the region’s conservation areas, with more information available at brucegreysimcoe.com.
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