How important is that wetland?
By Peter Sale You’ve all seen wetlands. There are lots of them in Muskoka. Marshy, boggy, mosquito-infested, noxious places; neither a lake nor dry land; what good…
Mother Nature thinks we are all deadbeats in Muskoka
By Geoff Ross In most human endeavours, from managing a home, to managing a major business enterprise, it is important to consider all the costs and all the…
What Are Algae Doing in Muskoka’s Lakes?
By Peter Sale Responding to considerable community interest, the Muskoka Watershed Council wants to find out what algae are doing in Muskoka lakes. These tiny single-celled plants…
Why talk about “models” when we need to stop real floods?
By Geoff Ross In the many discussions underway about recent flooding in Muskoka, the idea of a “model” for how water moves through Muskoka is perhaps the most…
Integrated watershed management can manage Muskoka’s environment
By Peter Sale In a previous article, Kevin Trimble proposed using watershed hydrology to help manage floods. How do we do this? The Muskoka Watershed Council recommends…
We need more than just an update to the Muskoka River Water Management Plan
By Kevin Trimble, MWC Chair The “Flood of 2019” is now a common term in Muskoka. In its aftermath, there has been an urgent need to focus political…
The Great Lakes: A Macrocosm of the Muskoka River Watershed
By Emily Crowder At the University of Guelph, Professor Paul Sibley teaches a course titled “Stressors in the Great Lakes” where 15 or so lucky students get to participate…
It’s time for a low salt diet
When it rains, pollution on streets, parking lots and lawns is washed into storm drains, then directly to our drinking water supplies and the lakes our children play in…
Bathing in the lake: It’s okay if I use biodegradable soap, right?
Actually, no. Many cottagers and lake associations struggle with the issue of people lathering up and jumping in the lake. While many of these offenders try to minimize the environmental…
Reducing Your Personal Impact
By Dan Vanclieaf Have you ever asked what you can do to ensure a healthy and sustainable Muskoka? One of the most important actions you can take is to…
Simple Ways to Reduce the Spread of Invasive Species
By Dylan Moesker Invasive species are a growing topic of concern as the importance of native species is becoming better understood. Experts in the field have been actively trying…
The Importance of Wetlands for You and for Muskoka
By Dan Vanclieaf In a region renowned for its lakes and rivers, the importance of wetlands in maintaining a healthy and functioning ecosystem is often forgotten. In the recent…