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ROW for a REASON!
Muskoka Watershed Council is excited to be working with the organizers of Muskoka River X and Algonquin Outfitters to raise awareness and support for MWC’s ongoing efforts to evaluate and report on the health of our watersheds and educate citizens on how to make informed decisions that benefit our natural environment.
In honour of the 5th anniversary of the Muskoka River X paddling events, everyone who makes a donation to Muskoka Watershed Council until June 18, 2017 will be entered into a draw for some great prizes donated by Algonquin Outfitters. Donate today for your chance to win one of these great prizes:
- $250 gift certificate
- Whitewater rafting lesson in Minden
- Canoe/Kayak/SUP rental
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That’s not the only way to enter!
Encourage your friends to donate by sharing a link to the donation webpage on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #rowforareason to be entered. Or you can pledge paddlers or teams participating in the new 24 Hours of River X event June 17-18 during National Paddling Week!
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50 Shades of Green: All About Algae
 Muskoka Watershed Council and The District Municipality of Muskoka hosted a very successful conference May 12th on algae. Over 160 participants gathered in Port Carling at the Community Centre to hear experts discuss the importance of algae, how algal communities are changing, what to do in the event of an algal bloom, and what tools are available to monitor algae. Local algal research programs were also highlighted.
The excellent lineup of speakers featured a keynote by Dr. Charles Trick, the Beryl Ivey Chair in Ecosystem Health at the University of Western Ontario, who presented on what cyanobacteria are trying to tell us. All of the presentations, including Dr. Trick's, can be viewed on the Muskoka Watershed Council website at http://www.muskokawatershed.org/events/msc/2017-mse/speakers/.
In the Media...
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MWC Releases Report on Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in Water
 At its meeting in April, MWC endorsed the "Pharmaceuticals and other Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in Natural Water Systems" paper, produced over the past 2 years by MWC's EDCs Sub-committee, composed of Piret Hurrell, Katie Paroschy, Carmen Pereira, and chaired by George Crawford.
Since the 1940’s, there has been a vast number of new, human-made chemicals introduced into our world. Many of these chemicals have found their way into our drinking water and natural waterbodies, which has raised concern for the health of humans, wildlife, and aquatic species. Many these chemicals have the ability to interfere with hormonal activity of the body, thereby resulting in a variety of adverse effects, some of which may not become evident for decades or generations.
The endocrine glands of the body secrete hormones which serve as messengers, controlling and coordinating activities throughout the body. The widespread use of pesticides introduced many people to the effects of even minute doses of a chemical having endocrine disrupting effects. Subsequently, the research on the effects of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) became largely centered on pesticides. As the science grew, it became apparent that there are many other EDCs introduced into our environment from pharmaceuticals (particularly estrogen products), personal care products, plastics, flame-retardants, heavy metals and many more.
The adverse effects vary by species and also by the life stage at the time of exposure, with unborn and young children particularly vulnerable. The areas of most concern are the carcinogenic, reproductive, immunological, and neurological effects on the human body.
Endocrine disrupting compounds find their way into the watershed from household and personal care products washing down drains, from pharmaceutical dumping and excretion, from agricultural and feedlot discharges, and from industrial discharges. Wastewater from municipal treatment plants, septic systems, and discharges from sewers, industry, agriculture and feedlots all make their way into our natural waterways, which eventually become our drinking water.
Awareness of the presence of EDCs and their effects on the health of people and wildlife is only the beginning. Research into various EDC effects on humans and different species of wildlife is monumental as the number of chemicals grows every day. Communication and education is vital for individuals, governments, and scientists to reduce exposure to EDCs, and to fill knowledge gaps.
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New MWC Resources Available!
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Produced for the 2017 Muskoka Stewardship Conference on algae, the Algae Quick Guide provides an overview of algae and bloom-forming conditions, and outlines the three most common types of algal blooms found in Muskoka area lakes and how to identify them.
The Algae Quick Guide also highlights how you can help Ontario track the incidences of algal blooms, by reporting them to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change's Spills Action Centre at
1-800-268-6060.
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According to the Muskoka Watershed Council report "Planning for Climate Change in Muskoka", Muskoka’s climate at mid-century is likely going to be warmer and slightly wetter than at present, and that precipitation may come in fewer but more pronounced storm events. These changes will impact our forests.
Check out this new resource to learn about the 7 actions that woodlot owners can take that will strengthen our forests to better deal with the coming changes.
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MWC Lecture on Salamanders Featured During Huntsville's Earth Week
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On April 18th, MWC presented a lecture by Algonquin Park Naturalist David LeGros in honour of Earth Week. David provided a fascinating look into his research on low cost methods to mitigate the negative impacts of forest roads on various salamander species and whether this information can provide a way forward for protecting salamander species from future road creation.
Habitat loss and fragmentation are among the most serious threats facing amphibians. While less noticeable than highways and with typically little vehicle traffic, extensive networks of logging roads also fragment habitats and some species avoid crossing these roads.
Woody debris is an important habitat feature for many amphibians, providing refuges and foraging opportunities for species sheltering underneath. David's research looked at whether these habitat features be used to help mitigate the negative impacts of habitat fragmentation by logging roads in Algonquin Provincial Park.
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MWC Learns About Great Lakes Programs
 The MWC meeting in March featured a presentation by Greg Mayne, from Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Ted Briggs, from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, on Great Lakes/Lake Huron Water Quality: Programs and Initiatives.
Greg talked about the programs undertaken on the Great Lakes, specifically Lake Huron, under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Much of the data collected under the various programs feed into the Lakewide Action and Management Plan for Lake Huron.
Ted discussed various domestic initiatives aimed at reducing nutrients, improving habitat, and improving data collection, including the Lake Simcoe/South-eastern Georgian Bay Clean-Up Fund, which was a program carried out between 2012 and 2017 in the Georgian Bay area to support community-based projects. The program helped divert an estimated 9,674 kg of phosphorus from Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay.
Learn more about the various programs at www.healthylakehuron.com and www.great-lakes.net.
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MICHAEL PEPPARD
Chair of MWC's Communications Committee
 Michael is the founder and Executive Director of EcoMuskoka Conservation, a not-for-profit corporation that engages communities in local greening projects. For the past fifteen years Michael has been engaged in managing environmental programming for not-for-profits across Ontario. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Guelph and a Certificate in Restoration Ecology from Niagara College.
Mike is the host of Hunter’s Bay Radio's Green Tapestry program and recently became a Councillor for the Township of Lake of Bays.
Christy Doyle, MWC’s Director of Environmental and Watershed Programs, recently spoke with Mike about his environmental interests.
What makes sustainability such an appealing field to work and volunteer in?
Sustainability is a big word and can mean many things, but to me it means something between continuity and endurance. That's the appealing part. It means that I may be able to play a role in preserving something good in this world that will continue long after I'm gone.
Tell me about the MWC projects you’re involved in.
There is such a wealth of opportunity in which to apply one's interests and skills within MWC including climate change, forestry, wildlife and so on, and I’ve surprised myself by having the most fun getting involved in the communications side of the group. Our Communications Committee developed a communications calendar for MWC, and we’re actively working with the rest of the Council to develop interesting ideas for engaging, informing, and educating the public and local decision-makers on issues vital to our local environment.
What’s the best part of living in Muskoka?
For me it's the non-stop nature. There is never an ugly day in Muskoka - no matter the weather! Having access to nature on a daily basis is important to me. It used to be a treat to see a deer, a loon, a bear or a wild turkey, and now it's a treat to spend an afternoon in a busy little Muskoka town. I also enjoy the way community overlaps with itself in Muskoka. You can meet the same person through work, volunteer activities, and socially all in the same week. It's a great way to build a community around you and a great way to make friends. |
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Are We Prepared for Invasive Species?
 Invasive species are considered one of the greatest global threats to biodiversity and can have profound negative effects on the economy and society.
At the April MWC meeting, Dr. Andrea Smith, from Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd., provided an overview of the invasive species situation in Canada by reviewing major threats and challenges, and discussed how well we are addressing the problem through legislation, public awareness and stewardship tools.
Check out Andrea's presentation at http://www.muskokawatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/InvasiveSpecies-ASmith-1.pdf and learn about MWC's efforts to address invasive species in Muskoka by hiring a summer intern in an article below.
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Forests & Climate Change Hike at Limberlost
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MWC wrapped up a busy Earth Week by hosting a hike at the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve in Lake of Bays led by Mike Peppard from EcoMuskoka and Gareth Cockwell from Limberlost Forest. Gareth and Mike led participants around several Limberlost Forest trails to highlight changes occurring in the forest due to climate change, as well as noting key actions and activities that Limberlost Forest is taking to ensure the continued environmental health of the area.
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Species at Risk Spotlight
EASTERN HOG-NOSED SNAKE
Heterodon platirhinos
Status: Threatened
There are 42 Species at Risk in the Muskoka-Parry Sound area, including the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, a fascinating, gentle snake that feeds on toads and other amphibians.
DID YOU KNOW...when threatened, this snakes will flatten its neck like a cobra and hiss. If it still feels threatened, then it may turn belly-up with its tongue out and play dead!
Learn more 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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Invasive Species Intern Coming to Muskoka
MWC has received funding to hire an Invasive Species Outreach Intern this summer through the Invading Species Awareness Program, managed by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
This summer we will be attending a variety of community events and farmers' markets to spread the word about invasive species in Muskoka and how to manage them.
We also plan to work with various municipal departments across Muskoka in support of their municipal mapping and management activities, as well as assist the public in correctly identifying and managing invasive species on their property.
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