Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour
The Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental preservation, cultural heritage conservation, and community engagement in Kingston, Ontario. Established in November 2004, the group initially formed to oppose municipal plans for a sports and entertainment complex in the area, later expanding its focus to stewardship initiatives, historical preservation, and public education[2].

Mission and Activities

The organization works to protect and enhance the ecological integrity of the Inner Harbour shoreline, promoting habitat conservation for local wildlife, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish[2][5]. Key initiatives include annual community cleanups, environmental education programs, and research on native turtle populations[2].

Cultural and historical preservation efforts include:

• Heritage Tours: Development of a self-guided tour highlighting Indigenous, French, British, and industrial heritage[2].
• Cataraqui Boatyard Project: A partnership to celebrate Kingston’s distinction as Canada’s oldest continuous boat-building location. In 2020, the project involved constructing a replica Algonquin birch bark canoe under the guidance of Chuck Commanda, an Algonquin Traditional Knowledge Keeper, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and public education[4].
• Trail Development: Advocacy for a 20 km multi-use trail connecting the LaSalle Causeway to Kingston Mills, integrated with the Trans Canada Trail network[2][5].

Community and Partnerships

The group engages in arts-based projects, such as creating public murals, and collaborates with regional tourism organizations like RTO 9 to promote sustainable tourism[4][5]. Their work emphasizes community involvement, with volunteers leading educational outreach and stewardship programs[2][4].

Leadership

Mary Farrar has served as president, overseeing initiatives that blend environmental advocacy with cultural reconciliation[4]. The organization operates as a registered charity, relying on donations and grants to fund its programs[3].

[1] https://www.friendsofinnerharbour.com [2] https://www.friendsofinnerharbour.com/about/ [3] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/friends-of-kingston-inner-harbour/ [4] https://rto9.ca/partnership-success-story-friends-of-kingston-inner-harbour/ [5] https://www.biinaagami.org/directory-organization?_page=7&num=6&sort=post_published