Drawdown Ecology – why can’t we just lower the lakes?
By Kevin Trimble. Walleye. Source: Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council Pressure is mounting in Muskoka to push water levels lower. The Muskoka River Water Management Plan (MRWMP) calls for a…
The harsh effects of winter de-icing salt on trees
By Javier Cappella. Cooler nights and shorter days trigger a response in trees to let them know it is time to shed their leaves and become dormant for the winter.…
An integrated solution for flooding, climate action and economic prosperity
By Kevin Trimble. It’s time to get serious about getting residents, business people and decision makers to start building a watershed plan for the Muskoka River Watershed. And I’ll tell…
COVID-19 must not halt Muskoka’s environmental monitoring programs
By Rebecca Willison. Environmental monitoring was one of the first things cancelled or suspended as the COVID-19 pandemic descended on Canada. This was understandable, given that resources needed to be…
Does your shoreline have a Natural Edge?
By Rebecca Willison and Rebecca Krawczyk. We are naturally attracted to aesthetic places and clean water—and so are the creatures we share this land and water with. The riparian zone…
Creating climate-resilient communities in Muskoka
By Carley Rennie. Our world is changing in many ways and the old ways of doing things are no longer sufficient. Such times, although challenging, can bring new opportunities for…
2021 Muskoka Summit on the Environment looks at climate resiliency
By Carley Rennie. Our world is changing in many ways and the old ways of doing things are no longer sufficient. Such times, although challenging, can bring new opportunities for…
Flooding and the elephant in our Muskoka watershed
We still have a lot more to learn about this elephant that we call severe flooding by Caroline Konarzewski. Who wants another flood? Not me! We hold our breath every…
Saving Skinks!
By Jenn LeMesurier. Five-lined Skink (photo credit: ontarionature.org) The Common Five-lined Skink is listed as a Species at Risk in Ontario, and Muskoka provides habitat to this unique species. Specifically,…
Native Plants & Shoreline Buffers
Natural shorelines have long been recognized as an important component of healthy and productive waterbodies. Unfortunately, it is still all too common to see landowners clear away the “messy” vegetation…
The Importance of Natural Infrastructure
By Carley Rennie. Living in Muskoka, we are accustomed to the exceptional quality of our natural environment, which provides a year-round playground that supports our community. But our environment also…
Thinking Like A Watershed
By Rob Attfield. Imagine for a moment that you are no longer in human form but have been transformed into the vibrant and expansive Muskoka Watershed. This is your new…