The Friends of Wellers Bay is a non-profit association of volunteers dedicated to enhancing the enjoyment of the waters and beaches of the bay. The association was formed in 1987 to dredge open a channel between Lake Ontario and the bay for easy boat access. Dredging and break-wall maintenance, as well as buoy placement for channel marking were the main responsibilities of the organization.  While those duties have been handed over to the Municipalities, the association has become an active voice working to improve all aspects of life on the bay, especially dedicated to the ecological well-being of the Bay.

VISION

Endeavour to be the trusted and respected voice of all members for the enhancement, enjoyment and preservation of the natural environment of Wellers Bay.

Mission

Pertinent to the health and welfare of Wellers Bay, we will:

• Provide resources and education on topics that are timely and relevant;

• Participate in research and activities consistent with our values and ourvision;

• Provide stewardship for the dredging of the channel and maintenance of the break-wall;

• Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders;

• Promote pride and responsibility in the care and protection of Wellers Bay by engaging with and involving the community.

The Association

The Association was formed in 1987 from the efforts of over 400 founding members. The concern was about the closure of the north channel of the bay by shifting sand. This resulted in loss of boat access, poor water quality, weed growth, and the creation of a marshy, stagnant body of water.

In 1989 the break wall was built and the channel dredged for an initial cost of $320,000. Since then, further dredging has been carried out on almost an annual basis to maintain the channel.

An important ecological area at the NE end of Lake Ontario, in Ontario Canada, the Bay is has Municipal (Quinte West and Prince Edward), Provincial and Federal areas.  Bald Head Island was used as a bombing range in the 1940's and is still classified as an Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) Site.  Wellers Bay National Wildlife Area exists on this southern barrier island, providing habitat for Piping Plover, Monarch Butterfly, Least Bittern and other endangered and protected species.

Where is Wellers Bay?

Wellers Bay is south of Trenton, Quinte West, Ontario Canada and east of Brighton and Presqu'ile Provincial Park. It is both in Quinte West on the north shore and Prince Edward County to the East and South. The Bay is hour-glass shaped and about 8 kilometers long, bounded by mostly farm and residential land with lovely sand beaches facing Lake Ontario to its West.

A limestone promontory called Bald Head stands in the middle of the long sand beaches. The town of Consecon is situated at the south-eastern corner. The area is a mix of farms, year-round homes, seasonal cottages, campgrounds and marinas. Residents and visitors enjoy fishing, water-skiing, sailing, boating and the beaches in the summer and snowmobiling and ice-fishing in the winter.