Muskoka Watershed Council developed a Best Practices Program aimed at the general public and local businesses to provide hands-on advice on how to live, work and develop properties in our watershed while protecting the natural values we all love and enjoy.
Best Practices Topics
Septic Systems
- Brochure
- Public Service Announcements
- Online Resources
This brochure focuses on septic system maintenance and addresses landowner questions that have been identified through local re-inspection programs.
Septic System PSA #1 – CHAY 93.1 (2006)
Septic System PSA #2 – CHAY 93.1 (2005)
Visit the following websites for more information about septic systems:
Natural Shorelines
- Brochure
- Public Service Announcements
- Online Resources
Natural shorelines are a valuable and limited commodity. This brochure focuses on the valuation and sustainable growth of this investment through proper stewardship. Best practices address a variety of conservation management issues.
Healthy Shoreline PSA #1 – CHAY 93.1 (2006)
Healthy Shoreline PSA #2 – Moose 99.5 (2005)
Visit the following websites for more information about healthy shorelines:
- Muskoka Water Web – Healthy Shorelines
- The Shore Primer
- District Municipality of Muskoka – Guide to Healthy Shorelines
- Ministry of Natural Resources – Preserving & Restoring Natural Shorelines
- International Society of Arboriculture – Trees Are Good
- Shoreline Vegetative Buffers
- Ministry of Natural Resources – Careful Handling and Planting of Nursery Stock
- A Shoreline Owners Guide to Lakeland Living
Healthy Lawns and Gardens
- Brochure
- Public Service Announcements
- Online Resources
This eight-page booklet provides information and best practices to reduce the impact of lawns and gardens on your lake water quality. It contains sections on Healthy Soil, Alternative Groundcovers, Integrated Pest Management and Plant Health Care, Beneficial Insects, Common Lawn Problems, and Maintenance Best Practices.
Healthy Garden PSA #1 – Moose 99.5 (2006)
Healthy Garden PSA #2 – Moose 99.5 (2006)
Healthy Lawn PSA #1 – Moose 99.5 (2006)
Healthy Lawn PSA #2 – CHAY 93.1 (2006)
Visit the following websites for more information about maintaining healthy lawns and gardens:
- Muskoka Water Web – Waterfront Living
- Government of Canada – Healthy Lawns
- Compost Council of Canada
- Guelph Turfgrass Institute
- Watersheds Canada Native Plant Database
- CanPlant
- Landscape Ontario
- OMAFRA – Turf in Ontario
- OMAFRA – The Gardener’s Handbook
- A Shoreline Owners Guide to Lakeland Living
- Canadian Wildlife Federation – Gardening for Wildlife
Caring for Wetlands
- Brochure
- Online Resources
This brochure educates landowners on the value of small wetlands on their property. It deals with stewardship, species at risk, importance of wetlands and how to enjoy their wetland.
Visit the following websites for more information about caring for wetlands on your property:
- Muskoka Water Web – Wetlands
- Government of Ontario – Species at Risk
- Environment Canada – Wetlands
- Hinterland Who’s Who
- Ducks Unlimited Canada
- Ontario Nature
- Toronto Zoo – Adopt A Pond
- Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program
- LandOwner Resource Centre
- US Environmental Protection Agency – Wetlands
- Wetlands International
- University of Guelph – Discover Canada’s Wetlands
- The Atlas of Canada – Wetlands
Low Impact Development
- Brochure
- Online Resources
Many landowners unknowingly alter the low impact development (LID) features present on their property, interfering with the flow and management of stormwater. This brochure highlights some of the more commonly used LID features and maintenance requirements to ensure that performance and other benefits continue over the full life cycle of the installation.
Visit the following websites for more information about low impact development:
- District Municipality of Muskoka – Stormwater Management Strategy
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment – Stormwater Primer
- LID Urban Design Tools
- Capital Region District – LID
- Innovative Stormwater Management Practices
- Low Impact Development Centre
- Natural Resources Defense Council – Water-Smart Cities
- Credit Valley Conservation – Low Impact Development
Stormwater Management
- Brochure
- Online Resources
This brochure assists residents in meeting the requirements under the Lake System Health Program and covers the basics of stormwater, principles for managing it, and how to manage stormwater on your property, with a focus on shoreline properties.
Visit the following websites for more information about managing the stormwater on your property:
- Muskoka Water Web – Stormwater Management
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment – Understanding Stormwater Management
- Catching the Rain: A Great Lakes Resource Guide for Natural Stormwater Management
- How to Manage and Control Stormwater Runoff
- Minnesota Urban Small Sites BMP Manual
- University of Connecticut – Planning for Stormwater
- Low Impact Development Center
- Water Balance Tools
Caring for Your Woodlot
- Brochure
- Online Resources
This brochure, produced in association with the Parry Sound-Muskoka Stewardship Network and the Haliburton Highlands Stewardship Council, answers the most common questions landowners have about managing their woodlot, including why they should manage, how to get started, hiring a consultant, developing a forest management plan for MFTIP, and landowner rights and responsibilities.
Caring for Your Woodlot in Muskoka, Haliburton & Parry Sound
Also check out the 7 Actions Woodlot Owners Can Take for Climate Change.
Visit the following websites for more information on managing your woodlot sustainably: