Graphic of the four types of risk

Caring for Muskoka’s environment with the unknown unknowns.

Unknown unknowns cause problems we cannot anticipate, problems that can be small or very large. By Peter Sale. Our environment faces four types of risk. Known and unknown risks that…

Photo of sailboats participating in a regatta

An idyllic summer’s day on the lake?

How can we reduce our use of mechanized watercraft and still have heart-thumping fun? By David Parsons. Sailing is a green, emission-free way to enjoy the lakes of Muskoka, whether…

A group of hikers cross a boardwalk while enjoying the trails set among the trees, rocks and lakes at Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve in Muskoka.

7 Ways to Travel With a Positive Impact in Muskoka or Anywhere Else.

Muskoka and the greater region sees approximately four million visitors per year and generates up to $800 million per year in spending. By Rebecca Francis. A group of hikers cross…

Photo showing damage due to flooding at a cottage.

Protecting Our Water. A 21st Century Challenge.

By Peter Johnston. Damage due to flooding is becoming more frequent in Muskoka as climate changes. In this changing world we cannot manage flood risk or anything else in our…

Photo of an eroded stream being rehabilitated using principles of natural channel design

How much can I take?

MWC looks at our attitudes towards the environment. By Kevin Trimble. An eroded stream is rehabilitated using principles of natural channel design. The physical form of the low flow channel is…

Compilation of images of newspaper headlines and Mark Zuckerberg.

The Assault on Science – Responding to Disinformation.

Disinformation poses a threat to truth and democracy. Recognizing reliable sources and evidence is crucial for protecting against misinformation’s harmful effects. By Geoff Ross. Many of us get our news…

Photo of a couple snowshoeing through a snow-covered forest

The Assault on Science, Truth and Democracy.

How does disinformation and the assault on science, truth and democracy ‘relate to protecting our Muskoka Watershed ecosystem?’ By Geoff Ross. Our continued enjoyment of Muskoka’s natural environment depends on…

A History of Environmental Actions.

‘Polluters deny, obfuscate and predict’ harm to the economy with scientists’ persistence eventually leading to change. by Neil Hutchinson. The successful pattern of environmental management (centre) describes the path from…

A photo of Norman Yan and Lenore Inniss examining animal plankton on board the Peerless on Lake Rosseau in September. Photo by Friends of the Muskoka Watershed.

How might multiple divergent threats pile on to damage Muskoka’s lakes?

By Dr. Norman Yan. Norman Yan and Lenore Inniss (R), Chair of Friends of the Muskoka Watershed, examine animal plankton on board the Peerless on Lake Rosseau in September. Photo…

Kevin Trimble, a board member at the Muskoka Watershed Council, spoke at the Integrated Watershed Management Leadership Workshop, held at Huntsville’s Active Living Centre on November 28th.

Municipalities embark on a long and winding journey towards watershed management.

Collaborative approach needed to enable watershed-scale decisions that address local land-use issues. By Kevin Trimble. Kevin Trimble, a board member at the Muskoka Watershed Council, spoke at the Integrated Watershed…

Snapping Turtle

Do the turtle and deer have a legal right to use Muskoka’s lakes and land as we do?

Just because our legal code declares that other species do not have rights does not make that assumption correct. By Peter Sale. The snapping turtle is Canada’s largest freshwater turtle…

Photo of Finn MacDonald, Taryn van Kooten and Om Patel at MSE2024 – Resilience

It really is possible to take proper care of the Muskoka we love?

By Peter Sale. Finn MacDonald, Taryn van Kooten and Om Patel from Gravenhurst High School, three of the four students who were featured at MSE2024 – Resilience in Bracebridge. Those…