Muskoka Stewardship Conference

Healthy Watersheds 101
Chitra Gowda, Conservation Ontario

The History of Muskoka’s Landforms and Resulting Patterns & Functions of our Ecosystems
Dirk Janas, Palmer

The Watershed as an Ecological Unit
Jack Imhof, Trout Unlimited Canada

More Than a Drop in the Bucket: Placing a Value on Watershed Ecosystem Services is Key to Protecting Muskoka’s Environment & Economy
Rob Milligan, Perimeter Public Affairs

Cumulative Effects – Connecting the Stressors
Neil Hutchinson, Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd.

Clogged Arteries: Headwater Drainage Features
Bev Wicks, RiverStone Environmental Solutions Inc.

You Asked, We Answered

• Why are your beech trees dying & why is that important to your watershed?
  Barry Davidson, Westwind Forest Stewardship Inc.
• How can you help turtles across the road and what other ways you can help?
  Kelsey Moxley, Saving Turtles At Risk Today (START) Project
• Why should you get involved in the Lake Partner Program?
  Emily Shapiera, Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations
• What are microfibers & what are they doing in your watershed?
  Cassie Weston, Georgian Bay Forever
• How can you help your watershed by reducing your carbon footprint?
  Kevin Boyle, The District Municipality of Muskoka
• The 2019 Muskoka Flood in a Historical Context (a Mid-flood Perspective)
  Richard Lammers, University of New Hampshire & Muskoka Watershed Council

• MuskokaRegion.com: ‘Connect the drops’ at 2019 Muskoka Stewardship Conference on April 26; Learn about the issues facing the Muskoka Watershed and what you — and your political leaders — can do to help
• Huntsville Doppler: Learn about Muskoka’s watershed at “Your Watershed: Connecting The Drops!”
• Hunter’s Bay Radio: Lake Effect Podcast (13 April 2019)
• Hunter’s Bay Radio: Library Show (13 April 2019)

2017 Program

KEYNOTE: What are cyanobacteria trying to tell us?
Dr. Charles Trick, University of Western Ontario

Algae: natural indicators of environmental change
Dr. Andrew Paterson, Ontario Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change

Reported blooms in Ontario lakes: 1994 to 2016
Dr. Claire Holeton, Ontario Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change

Algae in Honey Harbour, Georgian Bay
Aisha Chiandet, Severn Sound Environmental Association

Reporting algal blooms
Daniel Joyce, Ontario Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change

Algal blooms: a public health perspective
Karen Kivilahti, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

New (and improved) tools for researching algae in lakes
Dr. James Rusak, Ontario Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change

muskokaregion.com – Leading expert calls for change in dealing with blue-green algae in Muskoka

Cogeco News

Citizen Science Programs – Help Monitor the Health of Our Watersheds
Julia Phillips, Adopt-A-Pond Coordinator

Entice Them: Landscaping for Wildlife
Robert Allen, Northway Gardeners Ltd.

Capture Them: Wildlife Photography
Eleanor Kee Wellman, Photographer

Get Out and Go Birding at the Cottage
Kathy Jones, Ontario Volunteer Coordinator, Bird Studies Canada

Leonard Lake: Success with Encouraging the Return of Nesting Loons
Gordon Roberts, Leonard Lake Stakeholders Association

Algal blooms in Ontario lakes
Dr. Michelle Palmer, Ministry of the Environment

Using Citizen Science in the MWC Report Card
Judi Brouse, Muskoka Watershed Council

Monitor It: DMM Lake System Health Program
Rebecca Willison, District Municipality of Muskoka

Interpret It: What Do Your Water Quality Data Mean?
Dr. Neil Hutchinson, Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd.

Emerging Issues for our Lakes: reduced federal government engagement, despite the rising threat of multiple environmental stressors in Canada
Dr. Norman Yan, York University

Our Demographic Destiny: What Population Statistics Can Tell Us About Muskoka’s Present and Future (with Notes)
Summer Valentine, District Municipality of Muskoka

Huntsville’s Unity Plan: Towards a Sustainable Community
Scott Aitchison, Town of Huntsville

Promoting Wildlife Diversity in Your Woodlot (with Notes)
Lynn Landriault, Ministry of Natural Resources

Invasive Plant Species
Rachel Gagnon, Ontario Invasive Plant Council

FOCA Programs: Individual Action for Global Impacts
Terry Rees, Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations

Work Permits and Shoreline Development
Ariel Zwicker, Ministry of Natural Resources

Application of Ontario’s Lake Capacity Model – Science, Challenges and Alternative Approaches
Neil Hutchinson, Hutchinson Environmental Services Ltd.

Applying the Lake Capacity Model – A Holistic Approach to Planning in Muskoka
Judi Brouse, District Municipality of Muskoka

Living With Beavers
Todd Cairns, Ministry of Natural Resources

Habitat Types in Muskoka
Dirk Janas, Beacon Environmental

Birds at Risk in Muskoka
Jan McDonnell, Ministry of Natural Resources

Snakes (and Skink) at Risk in Muskoka
Rob Willson, Riverstone Environmental

Troubling Times for Our Turtles (with Notes)
Glenda Clayton, Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve

Water Management and Implications to the Moon River Walleye Spawning Population
Eric McIntyre, Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council

The Andrew Daniels Fish Stewardship Program in Lake of Bays: Tragedy Spawns a Living Legacy
George Daniels, Andrew Daniels Fish Stewardship Program

MONITORING OUR WATER

Monitoring Muskoka’s Water
Rebecca Willison, District Municipality of Muskoka

MLA Water Quality Initiative
Peter Seybold, Muskoka Lakes Association

Georgian Bay Inland Lakes Water Quality
Paul Wiancko, Township of Georgian Bay

Coordinated Monitoring Programs
Judi Brouse, Muskoka Watershed Council

WHAT MONITORING TELLS US

Lake Joseph Plan
Anna DeSellas, Ministry of the Environment

Benthic Monitoring in Muskoka
Chris Jones & Sarah Sinclair, Ministry of the Environment

BROADER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Broad Community Involvement
Randy French, French Planning Services

Watching Out For Invading Species
Casey Cook, Delaina Arnold & Katie Paroschy

Fisheries Monitoring Programs
Steve Scholten, Ministry of Natural Resources

Haliburton-Muskoka Children’s Water Festival
Rick Whitteker, Haliburton-Muskoka Children’s Water Festival

Multiple Stressors in our Environment
Dr. Norm Yan, Professor, York University

DESC RESEARCH

OBBN – Introduction
Chris Jones & Sarah Sinclair, Ministry of the Environment

Monitoring Crayfish Populations in Muskoka Lakes
Keith Somers, Ministry of the Environment

Algae Blooms in Ontario’s Lakes: Analyzing the Trends
Jenny Winter, Ministry of the Environment