The natural environment is the foundation of a sustainable Muskoka. Our lakes and natural areas provide our drinking water, sustain plants and animals, moderate climate and clean our air. Environmental stewardship means protecting that environment for the needs of future generations. It means believing in shared responsibility and leading by example. Learn more about what you can do as a steward for Muskoka through exploring the resources listed here.

Waterfront Property

Protect Your Waterfront Investment

Healthy Shorelines
Aquatic plants are not just weeds!
Beach building blues
Retaining wall woes
Natural shorelines
A Healthy Waterfront
Your Littoral Zone
Your Shoreline
Your Buffer Area
Recreating a Healthy Waterfront
A Shoreline Owner’s Guide to Healthy Waterfronts
The Shore Primer: A Guide to a Healthy Waterfront
The Dock Primer: A Guide to Friendly Docks
Fish Habitat Primer: A guide to understanding freshwater fish habitat in Ontario.
Canada Geese- What a Nuisance!

Woodlot Property

Caring for Your Woodlot
Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP)
Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP)
District of Muskoka- Forest Health Program
Eastern Ontario Model Forest
Ontario Forestry Association
Ontario Woodlot Association
Ontario Woodlot
Trees Ontario
The Working Forest Newspaper

Forest Health Articles:
Trees are an integral part of Muskoka
Forests of Muskoka

Gardens, Lawns, Plants

Rain Gardens 101
Healthy Lawns and Gardens Naturally
Information for Native Plant Restoration/Gardening
Master Gardeners of Ontario
Naturalizing Your Property
Somerville Seedlings

Septic Systems

Caring for Your Septic System in Muskoka

Drinking Water

Well Aware
This program provides a free, confidential, voluntary, & non-regulatory guided self-assessment of your well. Please contact us by phone (705-645-7393) or by email. You will learn to: do an annual checkup on your well, maintain your well and septic system, take a water sample, save water in your home, take care of an abandoned well, and protect your community’s groundwater.

The Waterhole
Your source for Drinking Water protection in Ontario.

Invasive Species

Evergreen- Native Plant & Invasive Species Resources
Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters: Invasive Species
Ontario Invasive Plant Council
Garlic Mustard: INVASIVE species! video
Species at Risk in Ontario
Wildlife Habitat Council

Dark Skies

Dark Sky Lighting
Muskoka Heritage Foundation -Dark Sky Lighting brochure
Muskoka Heritage Foundation -Torrence Barrens: Dark Sky Reserve
Turn the Lights Out- Light Pollution & Wildlife
International Dark Sky Association- Homeowners Guide

Lake and River Water Quality and Health

District of Muskoka -Muskoka Water Web
District of Muskoka: Lake System Health
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit:water testing
Algae in Muskoka

Wetlands

Wetlands 101
Caring for Wetlands on Your Property

District of Muskoka- Muskoka Water Web
About Wetlands
Protecting Wetlands
Watershed ecology & geology
Watersheds of Muskoka
Muskoka’s Wetlands
Swamps
Bogs

General

Low Impact Development on Your Property
Wastewater
Stormwater
Fuel-efficient driving to save money and the environment (link to ecodriver http://www.ecodriver.org/index.php)
Earth Mentorship Programs
Institute for Natural Learning
The P.I.N.E. Project

Notes from the Muskoka Watershed Council

Ecosystem Health Articles:
Ecosystems must be protected
Bigger is better for healthy ecosystems
Here, there and everywhere: land must be protected
Natural cover protects us from ourselves
Strategy needed to protect natural areas