Do you know the ‘long history’ of integrated watershed management in Muskoka?

“The long-term prosperity of the Canadian economy can only be built on the sustained integrity of our [environment].” — “Achieving a Balance” published by the National Round Table on the Environment and Economy.

By Patricia Arney.

If you have been reading this series of articles, or following recent social media posts by Muskoka Watershed Council, you might have assumed Integrated Watershed Management is a new initiative. It actually has a long history in Muskoka.

In 2001, “Achieving a Balance” published by the National Round Table on the Environment and Economy stated:

“The long-term prosperity of the Canadian economy can only be built on the sustained integrity of our [environment]. Integrated management of large landscapes is needed …[with representation by] governments, private landowners, resource industries, non-government organizations, rural communities, and Aboriginal peoples.”

In May 2001, the late Ken Black, a true Muskokan, politician, educator and community advocate, quoted this in his presentation to District of Muskoka council recommending the need for an advisory council of representatives from across the spectrum of Muskokans, businesses, non-governmental organizations, political representatives, resident groups, and First Nations to protect and enhance the environment that was/is so essential to our economy.

At that time, Ken was the president of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation (Muskoka Conservancy). He invited DMM to collaborate with this environmental NGO to support this “Muskoka Watershed Council”.

Since its formation in August 2001, MWC has been educating and promoting best practices through presentations at community groups, attendance at community events and publications such as “Living in Cottage Country,” while also evaluating the health of the watershed in the series of Muskoka Watershed Report Cards.

Despite some improvements, the threats outlined in Ken’s presentation (overdevelopment, loss of natural riparian zones, overburdened septic systems, loss of wetlands, changing weather patterns and invasive species) continue to threaten our environment. As well, there are some newer concerns about salt contamination, calcium depleted soils and waters, and a growing frequency of algal blooms.

MWC has been active in educating the public and local councils about these issues for years with some success in increasing awareness.

One other threat identified by Ken Black in his original presentation was degraded governance. Ken expressed concern about the environmental impact of the reduced presence of the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Natural Resources, the increased government focus on the economy and the need for local oversight to counter the threats. If anything, Provincial attention to environment has declined further since 2001.

While the initial presentation to DMM referenced a council of organizations and municipalities within the boundaries of DMM, two adjacent townships within the watershed, Seguin and Algonquin Highlands, joined a couple of years later.

The Muskoka River Watershed ecosystem is “governed” by 13 lower tier municipalities, four upper tier, seven First Nations, and several provincial and federal ministries. Plus, there are numerous community groups with concerns regarding environmental, social or economic issues, and these need to have a voice in overall governance.

In 2018 MWC renewed its call for an “integrated approach to managing large areas” of the Muskoka River Watershed. And in 2020, MWC published “The Case for Integrated Watershed Management in Muskoka.”

In 2018, the Provincial government created the Muskoka Watershed Advisory Group (MWAG) to recommend ways to improve environmental management. In 2020, MWAG reported that despite best efforts at promotion and education, the improvement of management by communities, councils and provincial and federal government bodies was inconsistent primarily because all worked independently. MWAG, therefore, recommended an integrated watershed management approach across the watershed.

MWC’s 2023 Watershed Report Card revealed several ways in which the health of our watersheds has been slowly degrading. It stated that present management policies were incapable of correcting these problems and IWM was needed.

IWM is an approach that requires us to manage human activities and natural resources, together, on a watershed basis taking into consideration the connected interests and needs of the environment, economy and society. Ken Black’s vision is needed now more than ever and after 24 years, momentum is slowly starting to build toward a positive collaborative solution.

This is #14 in the current series of articles from Muskoka Watershed Council, edited by Peter Sale. Its author is Patricia Arney, long-time member and former Chair of MWC. Patricia was a member of the Muskoka Watershed Advocacy Group (MWAG), and has been active in promoting sustainable environmental stewardship through many years as a resident, business owner, and municipal councillor.