Less ice cover in Muskoka impacts winter sports and could mean ‘more dried up wetlands and streams’
There are ecological consequences fewer days of ice cover. By Dr. Peter Sale. Opportunities to skate on the lake, such as on Brandy Lake in 2021, are becoming less frequent…
Harmful algal blooms: What is the cause and what can Muskoka residents do?
Make sure municipal, provincial and federal representatives know research funding is needed. By Geoff Ross. Citizen science plays a major role in most programs that monitor lake waters in Muskoka,…
What is watershed health?
The Muskoka Watershed Report Card describes some disturbing trends in a number of environmental variables. By Kevin Trimble. Muskoka’s healthy natural environment provides numerous opportunities for enjoyment, including Duck Chutes…
‘Ecological osteoporosis’ in our lakes and forests
Calcium is a critical element for all life. By Dr. Neil Hutchinson. A study by the Friends of the Muskoka Watershed shows that higher calcium concentrations in soil increases the…
What do we know now about climate change in Muskoka?
Winter will not go away, but it could be very different than what we have experienced in the past. By Dr. Richard Lammers. Flooding on the Muskoka River. Nearly 40…
Economic and environmental costs of using road salt in Muskoka are not trivial
Integrated watershed management and safe winter driving. By Dr. Neil Hutchinson. December arrives and we are planning for how we will adapt to this winter and wondering what kind of…
Integrated management of the Muskoka River Watershed: Time to get started!
Integrated Watershed Management requires a culture shift in the way we think but is a more effective way to manage our environment and economy. By Kevin Trimble. Muskoka Watershed Council…
Is sustaining the environment really important in Muskoka?
By Dr. Peter Sale. Our municipalities state that conserving and sustaining our iconic environment is a key objective in their Official Plans. Candidates for municipal councils almost universally include the…
Our Changing Watershed: What Have We Learned, Muskoka?
Our Changing Watershed series illustrated problems and aimed to identify solutions. By Dr. Neil Hutchinson. We thank all of you who have read and followed our series of articles over…
Our Changing Watershed: Apology for Muskoka environment as written 76 years from now
"I want to apologize to you and your generation for leaving the planet in such a poor state." By Richard Lammers. To my dearest great-granddaughter, As we approach the turn…
Our Changing Watershed: Who are those climate scientists, and why should we believe them?
These folks are the world’s most credible voice on climate change. By Geoff Ross. I often hear, or read, sentiments that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) consists of…
Our Changing Watershed: Let’s Stop Pretending Our Environment is Worthless
Part two of a two-part series. By Geoff Ross. Last week’s article described how our society has progressed from an inability to recognize the value of healthy ecosystems, to the…