The watershed council’s guide ensures Muskoka’s waters are protected In 2011 National Geographic named Muskoka one of the top 10 places in the world to vacation. Muskoka’s 8,699 miles of shoreline and 17 historic towns and villages surrounded by numerous waterfalls and lakes, bordered on the east by the granite peaks of Algonquin Park and on the west by the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay National Park, are a big part of what the author says attracts people to the area. Its beauty has been the economic driver of this region for 150 years. It is the year-round residence of thousands and also a place where even more seasonal people make their summer home. It must be protected. Living in a watershed region, both permanent and seasonal residents of Muskoka have a tre-
mendous impact on the land and waters. Watershed areas are defined as land where precipitation such as rainfall or melting snow drains to a single point at a lower elevation. In Muskoka, half of the precipitation flows to Georgian Bay and the other 50 per cent evaporates. The Muskoka Heritage Foundation (now known as the Muskoka Conservancy) was founded in 1987 as a registered non-profit organization for to the protection and enhancement of Muskoka’s cultural, built and natural heritage. They partnered in 2000 with the District of Muskoka to create the Muskoka Watershed Council. The council has since grown to be a stand-alone organization. The Muskoka Watershed Council has taken on the tremendous task of ensuring Muskoka’s watershed is protected and therefore sustainable. This is not a job that one council or one committee can accomplish alone. Everyone living, working or vacationing in this region is also
accountable for ensuring its sustainability. To help, the watershed council has prepared guide called Living in Cottage Country: What You Need to Know. It really does live up to its title. Beginning with descriptions of several types of lakes, wetlands, forest and river systems, the authors lay an informative foundation upon which to build an effective understanding of the impact of all human activity on the watershed. The information is neither highly technical nor overly scientific. The language used throughout is clear and easy to understand. It is also made accessible with the additional use of photographs, drawings and diagrams. Within the complex living system of a watershed, everything is connected (page 9). Starting with this thesis, the guidebook sets out 17 chapters of information that everyone in Muskoka needs to know and apply wisely. Simply put, the purpose of the handbook is to minimize harm done by people.
Much attention is given to land use planning. The Planning Act, the Provincial Statement, the District of Muskoka and the six municipalities’ responsibilities are clearly explained in layman’s terms. If one is considering a new build, any renovations or landscaping, this guide will help one understand the reasons for various conditions and the process to meet them. The chapter entitled Your Property deals with the concerns any property owner should consider – from road allowances to shoreline development – and who to contact. Some attention is given to the development of non-waterfront areas as well. More detailed information is provided in the chapters Building or Renovation and the ever-popular Your Septic System. These topics are complete with construction tips focussing on trees, fencing and alternatives when installing a septic system. The chapter on landscaping is a must-read for everyone. Given the
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nal animals. The final chapter deals with the management of the waterways of Muskoka. As early routes of transportation, means of power generation and venues for summer recreational activities, the waterways have been critical to Muskoka’s development. Management of these waterways is an attempt to stabilize the competing human uses while preserving a healthy water environment for plants and animals. The Muskoka River Water Management Plan governs the water levels in the system. With 42 water controlled structures (dams), 29 owned/operated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and 13 owned/ operated by the power industry, and the additional complication of changing weather patterns, this is a complex task. Living on the watershed system, it is important to understand man’s impact on its management. This is only a sampling of the wealth of information in the guide. The index provides easy reference to find information quickly. Three appendices are added for further reference. These include specific
contact information for many useful resources such as stewardship programs, contacts for organizations such as lake associations, Ducks Unlimited, Master Gardeners of Ontario and others who support the work of the Watershed Council. The third appendix lists government agencies. In closing, here are three suggestions. First, the guide might have been strengthened with the addition of photographs to accompany the descriptions of native plants. Second, although the guide appears to be intended for Muskokans living on the shoreline, it should also be promoted to everyone living on farms, in towns, or on country roads. One need not have waterfront property to be a significant part of preserving Muskoka’s watershed. Third, the Trillium Lakelands District School Board should ensure the guidebook is required reading in the environment-related curricula in all Muskoka schools. Let us all work together to ensure 50 years hence National Geographic still has Muskoka on the list of the 10 top places in the world to vacation. -Evelyn Brown Project by Earl Ferguson Construction
significant changes over the past years to the use of commercially prepared chemical fertilization and pesticides, anyone with a lawn should get this guidebook. The balancing act between environmental harm and human
needs for a beautiful property requires careful planning with the right approach. Doing it right will include consideration of water run-off, native plants and buffer zones. This chapter concludes with tips for a healthy lawn. With the establishment in 1999 of the Torrance Barrens Conservation Area, designated as the world’s first permanent Dark Sky Reserve, the overuse of lighting on homes, in towns and along roadsides became a serious concern. While some municipalities enacted bylaws, it is the home owners’ responsibility to use outdoor lighting that is harmonious with the location. The guide offers excellent suggestions to improve what is installed and ensure one makes as little impact as possible on noctur-
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