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Judi Brouse is Retiring!
 MWC's long-time Director of Watershed Programs is retiring and you are invited to help us say goodbye! A retirement party is being held on Thursday, November 13th at Riverwalk in Bracebridge from 4:30 to 7 pm.
Tickets for the event are $25 and include hors d'oeuvres and a contribution to a gift. A cash bar will also be available. Call 705-646-0111 for more information.
Judi began working for The District Municipality of Muskoka in 1984 and worked her way up to Director of Policy & Programs before moving over to the Muskoka Watershed Council as the Director of Watershed Programs in 2003.
Judi has accomplished much over the past 30 years. Some of her more memorable initiatives include:
Judi has been a longtime champion for the environment in Muskoka and MWC looks forward to working with her in the future as a volunteer.
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GMPE a Success Despite the Weather
 The 2014 Great Muskoka Paddle Experience, held October 11th, had its most challenging race conditions in its short history. However, even with the poor weather, there were more boats than ever before and participants shrugged off the weather as part of the challenge. There were also over 35 volunteers that braved the weather with a smile and a welcoming attitude.
A highlight of the day was the virtual canoe trip provided by Algonquin Outfitters. It was a huge hit as people enjoyed a 3D ride down the Big East River on a sunny day with all the leaves in full colour.
Results from the 2014 GMPE are available at www.muskokapaddlingexperience.com. Mark your calendar for the 2015 Great Muskoka Paddling Experience scheduled for Saturday, October 10th.
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 Environmental Handbook Coming Soon!
The Living in Cottage Country handbook is a guide that explains the reasons for regulations and why best practices are believed to be ‘best’. Whether you are new to Muskoka or a long-time resident, this handbook will help you understand how to comply with rules and regulations to ensure that our wonderful, but fragile, environment continues to bring us joy and satisfaction in the future. Stay tuned - the handbook will soon be available for sale.
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Follower Appreciation
Lyn Romanko from Toronto is the lucky winner of our draw celebrating 1,000 followers on Twitter. Lyn has won a free night's accommodation at Century House Bed & Breakfast in Bracebridge - congratulations! Keep up-to-date on MWC news, events and programs by following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/muskokawatershd.
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Snapping Turtles Given A Second Chance
 Seventeen snapping turtle hatchlings were given a second chance at life thanks to the efforts of the Town of Gravenhurst, C.C. Tatham & Associates Limited, Fowler Construction and Species at Risk consultant Michalski Nielsen Associates Limited. Since June, the turtles were in the care of Scales Nature Park and on Friday, October 10th the newly hatched turtles were released back into the wild. ...READ MORE |
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Upcoming Watershed Project: Future Impacts of Climate Change and Development
MWC is undertaking a project to examine the future impacts of climate change and development on the watershed, along with Muskokans’ expectations of what the future will really bring. What we want our community to be like may be different than what we expect it to be like.
In early 2013, the District of Muskoka concluded a comprehensive Visioning for the Future process that resulted in a revised Vision statement in the District’s Official Plan. Extensive community involvement was employed to determine Muskokans’ values, priorities and desires for the future. The revised Vision reflects what Muskokans’ want the community to be like in the future.
In early 2015, MWC aims to undertake a smaller scale community consultation to identify the difference between what Muskoka should be like as expressed in the District’s Vision statement, and what Muskoka really might be like particularly in respect to changes expected as the result of development pressures and climate change.
Look for a survey to come your way in the next few months that will ask for your opinion on what you expect Muskoka to be like in 2050.
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Love Your Lake in Muskoka
Several landowners in Muskoka are improving water quality, reducing erosion and creating wildlife habitat by enhancing the buffer zone on their waterfront properties with the Love Your Lake Program. Funding for the program comes from Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, Centre for Sustainable Watersheds, and The Land Between Blueway Project. Three projects have been completed so far and another two are expected to go ahead this fall.
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Species at Risk Spotlight
SNAPPING TURTLE
Chelydra serpentina
Status: Special Concern
There are 42 Species at Risk in the Muskoka-Parry Sound area, including the Snapping Turtle, a large turtle that takes 15-20 years to reach maturity.
Learn about this species at risk, where you're likely to find it in Muskoka, and how you can help protect it and its habitat in the Species at Risk Factsheet.
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It's Time to Renew Your Membership!
With 2014 quickly coming to a close, it's time to renew your membership in Friends of the Muskoka Watershed and support all of the great programs of the Muskoka Watershed Council.
Renewing your annual membership is easy to do - online, by mail, or over the phone (705-646-0111).
FMW members receive discounts at FMW and MWC organized events, including the Muskoka Stewardship Conference, so renew your membership or become a Friend today!
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