You will see them all over Georgian Bay this summer – covering the most exposed rock in hues of yellow, orange, grey and green – these wonderful organisms are often confused with moss. We all admire the beautiful colours however many don’t realize the critical role lichens play on the Bay!

A unique combination of fungi and algae, lichens form and spread on surfaces, building a foundation for moss, grass, and other plant life to grow under the harshest of conditions.

One of the many amazing features of lichen is they absorb their nutrients from the atmosphere so their presence in an area indicates good air quality, and we could all use a lot more of that! So when you’re out exploring beautiful Georgian Bay this summer, find the lichens and breathe deeply!
