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Muskoka Summit on the Environment a Success!
 The third biennial Muskoka Summit on the Environment took place at the Rene Caisse Theatre in Bracebridge on May 8th and 9th to a sold out crowd of 300 participants. The topic this year was ‘Environment vs Economy: Resolving the Dichotomy’, and six invited experts from across North America discussed this topic from their particular perspectives. The Summit was also featured on the June 4th episode of Paul Kennedy’s award-winning CBC Radio program, Ideas.
A communique has been developed that captures the highlights of the discussion. Speakers, participants and organizers all contributed to the text. The communique is available for all participants to use in further discussions. Share your thoughts on the communique by leaving a comment!
Additional Resources from the 2014 Muskoka Summit on the Environment include:
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 MWC was very excited to release the 2014 Muskoka Watershed Report Card in May! The Report Card is a product of over 2 years of work by staff and volunteers from the Muskoka Watershed Council and provides a snapshot of the health of Muskoka's watersheds.
The Report Card includes several new indicators of watershed health, including calcium levels, invasive species, algae, species at risk habitat, and development impacts. A new interactive component of the Report Card has also been introduced with money raised through a crowdfunding campaign held this spring.
Visit www.muskokawatershed.org/StewardshipWorks to:
- Download your copy of the 2014 Muskoka Watershed Report Card;
- Learn more by reading the Background Report;
- See how healthy your subwatershed is by checking out the Subwatershed Report Cards; and
- Book a presentation on the Report Card for your association or organization.
So how healthy is our watershed?
The good news is that our watershed is still relatively healthy. The bad news is that some areas of the watershed are coming under increased stress and showing signs of deterioration.
The central core of Muskoka, around the three large lakes and along the Highway 11 corridor, is vulnerable to additional natural and human influences. Human disturbance has resulted in fewer large natural areas, increased shoreline modification, and higher road densities. As further development occurs, consideration of the long term impact on the natural systems in Muskoka is important.
Shoreline development, invasive species and calcium decline are three significant stresses on the health of our subwatersheds. How healthy is your subwatershed? Check out the Subwatershed Report Card for your area to find out!
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And The Winners Are...
Robert Bateman Raffle
A raffle of three signed Bateman items was held in conjunction with the Muskoka Summit on the Environment. The raffle raised over $4,000 for the MSE Research Award.
 The grand prize was Bateman’s “Loon Family” print, publisher’s proof #1 of 20, signed and donated by Bateman himself, valued at $2,000. The winner of this stunning piece was Gunars Balodis (left) from Windermere.
Suzanne Rutherford of Bracebridge was the winner of the second prize, a limited edition “Moose Family” print by Robert Bateman, made exclusively for the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s (CWF) 50th anniversary. CWF donated this print, which also came framed and was valued at $500.
The third prize was a signed copy of Bateman’s “New Works” hardcover book also donated by CWF, valued at $60 and won by Andrew Paterson from Huntsville.
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MSE Research Award
 Sarah Hasnain, PhD candidate at Queen’s University, won the first ever Muskoka Summit on the Environment (MSE) Research Award. The award, in the amount of $7,500, supports graduate student environmental research within Muskoka in fields related to environmental science, resource studies and/or policy.
“I am very humbled and honored to be chosen for this award,” said Hasnain when she received the news. “The funds provided by this grant will allow me to conduct field research in the Muskoka River Watershed and help stakeholders manage lakes that have been invaded by the spiny water flea.”
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HESL Undergraduate Award
In 2013, Dr. Neil Hutchinson of Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Limited, in conjunction with Friends of the Muskoka Watershed, created a $5,000 summer research award for 2nd or 3rd year University students in the environmental science field.
“It is important for our young scientists to get summer job experience,” said Hutchinson. “I really benefited from my career-related jobs and I felt it was time for me to give back to my community and help some other young scientists."
In 2014, Vincent Evans-Lucy was the recipient of the award. He will be working out of the MOE's Dorset Environmental Science Centre where he will be working in the Field Laboratory for the Assessment of Multiple Ecological Stressors looking at biochemical indicators of environmental stress in zooplankton.
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 Dr. Neil Hutchinson (right), from Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd, and Dr. Norman Yan, chair of Friends of the Muskoka Watershed, present Vincent Evans-Lucy (left) with a cheque for $5,000.
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MSE Student Poster Award
 Several university students presented posters on their research at the 2014 Muskoka Summit on the Environment. The posters were judged and the winner was given a $100 prize. Karl Lamothe from the University of Toronto was the selected winner for his poster entitled “Using Circular Statistics to Quantify Ecological Resilience: A Simulation Study.”
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 The winner of the MSE Early Registration draw for the 1-year Family Membership to the Royal Ontario Museum was Freda Finley!
Prize generously donated by the ROM.
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 The winner of the Report Card Crowdfunding draw for a $100 Gift Card from Algonquin Outfitters was Peter Lavell!
Prize generously donated by AO.
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Stewardship Works: help protect the Muskoka we all love!
Stop the Spread of Invasive Species
- Purchase non-invasive or native plants.
- Never dispose of domestic plants or animals into the wild.
- Inspect and wash your boat, ATV and other equipment and let dry for at least 6 hours before moving to a new lake or area.
- Do not move species from one area to another.
Retain Buffers and Shorelines in a Natural State
- Maintain a wide buffer of native plants and trees.
- Minimize boat speed (eliminate wake) in all near-shore areas and particularly in areas with known loon nests.
- Avoid grassed lawns in the waterfront area and minimize use of fertilizers.
Protect Wetlands
- Leave wetlands alone.
- Keep motorized vehicles out of wetlands.
Maintain Natural Areas
- Limit cleared areas in the rural and waterfront area.
- Do not create new roads.
Reduce Your Personal Impact
- Reduce your use of electricity and fossil fuels.
- Maintain your septic system.
- Improve the energy efficiency of your home and vehicle.
- Reduce waste.
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FMW holds 1st AGM
Friends of the Muskoka Watershed held its first ever Annual General Meeting on Friday, June 20th at the Foot's Bay Community Centre. More than 50 people attended to learn about FMW and MWC activites over the past year, elect the FMW board, and hear a presentation on Multiple Stressors of Lakes of Muskoka: Past and Current Challenges by FMW Chair Dr. Norman Yan.
 Scales Nature Park gave a fantastic presentation about turtles at risk in Muskoka (using live turtles!) and the new Saving Turtles At Risk Today (START) project, which uses volunteers to survey for turtles across southern and western Muskoka in order to find out where they nest, hibernate, cross roads, etc. To get involved in the project or to report nesting sites, call (705) 327-2808.
The day ended with a guided nature hike at the MacTier wetland, a Provincially Significant Wetland home to many Species at Risk.
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Help Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species
Invasive species are one of the biggest stresses to our watershed. You can help prevent their spread.
Join us for a free Invasive Species Workshop to learn:
- How to identify Muskoka's invasive species;
- How to report sightings using the new App; and
- How to sample for invasive aquatic plants, spiny water fleas and zebra mussel veligers.
Date: Friday, July 25th
Time: 9 am to 12 pm
Location: District of Muskoka (Birch Room), 70 Pine Street in Bracebridge
Register at:
www.muskokawatershed.org
info@muskokawatershed.org
705-646-0111
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It's not too late to become a Friend!
There are still many activities and events coming up in 2014 for FMW members to take advantage of.
By becoming a member of FMW for just $25 a year, you help support important MWC programs like the Muskoka Watershed Report Card and the Environmental Lecture Series.
Purchase your membership online at www.muskokawatershed.org, by mail, or over the phone at 705-646-0111.
Remember, FMW members receive discounts at FMW and MWC organized events, so renew your membership or become a Friend today!
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The Love Your Lake program is continuing in Muskoka with 800 properties being surveyed on Lake of Bays, in conjunction with the Lake of Bays Association, and 300 properties being surveyed in the Honey Harbour area, in conjunction with the Honey Harbour Association and the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve.
The Lake of Bays program is funded in part by the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the Honey Harbour project is being undertaken with funding from the Lake Simcoe/South-eastern Georgian Bay Clean-Up Fund.
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Species at Risk Spotlight
BLANDING'S TURTLE
Emydoidea blandingii
Status: Threatened
There are 42 Species at Risk in the Muskoka-Parry Sound area including the Blanding's Turtle, a medium-sized turtle with a smooth domed shell and bright yellow chin.
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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How Healthy is Your Forest?
Most of Muskoka is covered in trees, but how is healthy is that forest? How are Muskoka's forests changing?
Join us for a free workshop to learn how to set up and monitor a terrestrial forest plot on your property.
Date: Tuesday, July 29th
Time: 10 am to 12 pm
Location: Bracebridge Resource Management Centre, Highway 11 North just north of Bracebridge
Register at:
www.muskokawatershed.org
info@muskokawatershed.org
705-646-0111
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