Muskoka Watershed Council is a volunteer-based non-profit organization incorporated in 2019 with the mission to empower the community to protect and enhance watershed health. MWC is comprised of representatives from a wide range of stakeholders, including municipal, provincial and federal governments; lake and area ratepayer associations; local industry, academia, tourism, real estate and other interests from across our watersheds. MWC is governed by a set of By-laws and Policies & Procedures.

MWC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AARON RUSAK, CHAIR

Aaron Rusak is the Protected Areas Manager for the Georgian Bay Land Trust. He has been cottaging in Go Home Bay his whole life and feels a deep connection with the natural landscapes of Georgian Bay. An avid birder and naturalist, Aaron has spent many hours exploring the wild areas in Georgian Bay, often hip-deep in a wetland to get a better look at a species of flora or fauna.

TERRY CREW, TREASURER

Terry Crew is a CPA, CMA and has a B.Comm in Accounting and Marketing from McMaster University. He has 26 years of work experience, including 20 years in the Consumer Products industry, providing financial support and managing the Budgeting and Strategic Planning processes. He was the Budget Manager for the City of Vaughan and provided financial data and project management for Xtrata Nickel. Now retired, Terry enjoys golfing, downhill skiing, hiking, and travelling.

PETER SALE, PAST CHAIR

Peter F. Sale is an environmental scientist whose research into the ecology of coral reefs spanned a career at the University of Sydney (1968-87), University of New Hampshire (1988-93), University of Windsor (1994-2006), and, most recently United Nations University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health (2007-2014). He remains University Professor Emeritus at the University of Windsor. Educated at the University of Toronto and the University of Hawaii, he now lives in Muskoka, that special jewel in central Ontario, continuing to write and speak on critical environmental issues. His 2011 book, Our Dying Planet, tells the story of our impacts on the environment from the perspective of an ecologist who has seen environmental decline with his own eyes. And his 2021 book, Coral Reefs, Majestic Realms Under the Sea, tells stories that reveal the utter wondrousness of these very special places that we are eliminating from the planet. He brings his expertise in aquatic ecology to the deliberations of the Muskoka Watershed Council.

ANN CURLEY, Community - Huntsville

Ann has had a successful career in Tourism & Museum Management for over 40 years. Prior to moving to Muskoka, she was with the Ministry of Tourism, Muskoka Watershed Council https://www.muskokawatershed.org as a Regional Manager. In 1993, she became the Executive Director of the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, and in 2006, she accepted the position of Operations Manager/Curator of the Muskoka Discovery Centre. Ann's ability to build strong relationships and creativity has benefited the Muskoka Discovery Centre. Her contributions to the revitalization of Muskoka Discovery Centre have included the summer day camp program, Kidzone, serving as project leader for the world-class exhibit Watershed Wonders, and, most recently, Evolving Muskoka. Ann's first Board position was with the Windsor/Detroit International Freedom Festival, followed by board positions with Muskoka Tourism, Huntsville Hawks Lacrosse and as President of the Huntsville Hawks Junior B Lacrosse club and the Madill Church Preservation Society.

JOAN FRAIN, Community - Muskoka Lakes

Joan Frain is a registered professional engineer (Civil), specializing in water resources. She spent over 30 years working for Ontario Hydro/Ontario Power Generation (OPG) in various water resources areas associated with hydroelectric generation, including water management and climate change. Since retiring from OPG, she has worked as a consultant with Hatch on projects related to the Muskoka River Watershed for the District of Muskoka. In addition, she has enjoyed many years as a property owner in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Joan is participating with the Muskoka Watershed Council to better understand these challenges as they relate to the Muskoka River Watershed and to work towards sustaining a healthy watershed that can continue to be enjoyed into the future.

DAVID PARSONS, Community - Ril Lake Association

As a four-season cottager on Ril Lake for over 20 years, David Parsons has been continually active in the Ril Lake Association, joining the executive in 2009. His current role is Environmental & Municipal Liaison, which includes monitoring and maintaining lake water data. David is a retired college educator and programs coordinator with a background in civil construction. He enjoys being on the water, as an avid sailor, having restored two sailboats that have been on the lake since the 1960’s.

MICHAEL PEPPARD, District Councillor, Township of Lake of Bays

Michael Peppard is the founder and Executive Director of EcoMuskoka Conservation, a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to engage communities in local greening projects. For the past fifteen years, Michael has been engaged in the Muskoka Watershed Council, managing environmental programming for not-for-profits across Ontario. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Guelph and a Certificate in Restoration Ecology from Niagara College. Michael is a community engagement specialist who is striving to bring his skills to his new home in Muskoka.

DON SMITH, District Councillor, Bracebridge

Don grew up in Bracebridge and started his journalism career here in 1971. In 2014, Don was elected as a District Councillor for Bracebridge and has been the council-appointed representative on the boards of the Muskoka Watershed Council, Muskoka Tourism and Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce. Don was also appointed by the Provincial Government as vice chair of the Muskoka Watershed Advisory Group. In the community, Don is a past president of the Rotary Club of Bracebridge and has served on a number of boards, including the Chamber of Commerce, the YWCA of Muskoka and the McConnell Foundation. Working in the publishing industry for his entire career, Don has owned both newspapers and magazines in Muskoka. Most recently, he is the founder and current publisher of Unique Muskoka. Don and his wife, Susan, have also been active in downtown businesses, and they currently operate the Unique Muskoka store. A two-time recipient of the Bracebridge Businessperson of the Year Award, Don was presented the Robert J. Boyer Award by the Muskoka Heritage Foundation in 2010.

KEVIN TRIMBLE, Community - Brandy Lake

Kevin Trimble is an ecological consultant with more than 25 years of experience assessing the impacts of various types of land-use change in Ontario, most recently with Golder Associates in Barrie. Originally from an aquatic background, he integrates a range of terrestrial and aquatic disciplines, including water resources and groundwater sciences, and has directed a range of restoration projects. After cottaging on Lake Simcoe his entire life, Kevin and his family relocated to Muskoka in 2014.

MWC Staff

KAITLYN HORTON, Watershed Program Coordinator

Kaitlyn has been with the Muskoka Watershed Council and the District of Muskoka since September 2025. She has a B.Sc. in Microbiology and Biochemistry from the University of Guelph and an M.Sc. in Applied Bioscience from Ontario Tech University, where she studied the formation of toxic cyanobacterial blooms in stormwater management ponds. Although Kaitlyn is a new Muskoka resident, she has been camping in Muskoka every summer since 2018. Through her current work with the District and the Muskoka Watershed Council, Kaitlyn supports the ongoing monitoring of Muskoka's recreational water quality and environmental protection efforts.