The Massasauga rattlesnake is just one of the 34 Species at Risk found in Muskoka that participants will learn about at the 2012 Muskoka Stewardship Conference on April 28th.

Muskoka-Parry Sound is home to thirty-four Species at Risk, some of which, while plentiful here, are found nowhere else in the world. That is why stewardship of these imperilled species is critical to their survival.

Would you know if one of these species was on your property? Do you know what to do if you find one?

Species at Risk will feature prominently at the 2012 Muskoka Stewardship Conference in April with a number of speakers scheduled to provide information about many of the turtles, snakes, and birds found in our area.

Species at Risk was one of four Stewardship Guides developed by the Muskoka Watershed Council (MWC) and Muskoka Heritage Foundation (MHF) over the past year and a half. All four Stewardship Guides provide the inspiration for presentations at the 2012 Conference, including living with beavers, building a trail in your woodlands, and restoring your shoreline.

The Muskoka Stewardship Conference is organized by MWC, MHF and The District Municipality of Muskoka as a means to bring together local land and water stewards to learn and network.

In addition to the Stewardship Guide topics, the Conference will feature Keynote speaker Andrew Watson, a York University PhD Candidate from the Department of History and the Institute for Research & Innovation in Sustainability.

Mr. Watson will be discussing the ways in which the human footprint along the shoreline has changed over the last one hundred years by focussing on what the pressures and concerns were a century ago. His presentation will illustrate the importance of the past in making responsible choices for the present and future.

The 2012 Muskoka Stewardship Conference will take place from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Nipissing University, Muskoka Campus, 125 Wellington Street, in Bracebridge. The cost is $30. To register visit www.muskokaheritage.org/mwc.

The annual Muskoka Stewardship Conference will take place at Nipissing University in Bracebridge on Saturday, April 28, 2012.

A joint initiative of the Muskoka Watershed Council, the Muskoka Heritage Foundation and The District Municipality of Muskoka, the Muskoka Stewardship Conference will feature 17 speakers presenting to landowners during nine concurrent sessions throughout the day. The presentations will cover topics related to water, land and species at risk, and will arm participants with an array of strategies they can use for living with nature.

Andrew Watson, a graduate student at York University, is the keynote speaker for the 2012 conference. He will discuss the ways in which the human footprint along the shoreline has changed over the last one hundred years by focussing on what the pressures and concerns were a century ago. His presentation will illustrate the importance of the past in making responsible choices for the present and future.

The goal of the Muskoka Stewardship Conference is to encourage environmentally-minded people to network and learn from each other. The theme for the 2012 event is Live with Nature.

Species at risk (SAR) will feature prominently at the Conference this year. There are 34 species at risk in Muskoka and the list is growing. “Muskoka supports one of the highest reptile SAR biodiversity areas in Canada” notes Dirk Janas, Senior Ecologist with Beacon Environmental and a presenter at the 2012 Stewardship Conference. “The rich habitat mosaic of forest, wetland, rock barren, lakes and shorelines is a key component to this diversity, making stewardship vital to the protection of all species at risk.”

Water sessions will include presentations on work permits and shoreline development, FOCA programs, determining lakeshore capacities, and dealing with species like beavers.

Land sessions include sustainability plans, building trails, forest management and invasive plants.

The 2012 Muskoka Stewardship Conference will take place from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Nipissing University, Muskoka Campus, 125 Wellington Street, in Bracebridge. The cost is $30. Register online here.

The Great Muskoka Paddling Experience successfully held its first event on Saturday, October 8^th, attracting scores of paddlers from all over Ontario, thanks in part to the excellent weather. The race was even voted the best of 2011 by the Ontario Marathon Canoe and Kayak Association.

Eighty-two paddlers in 54 boats enjoyed a paddle down the Muskoka River to Lake Muskoka and back. In addition to the usual canoes and kayaks, spectators were able to spot some rarer boats, including outrigger canoes and a large North canoe which carried six paddlers. Bracebridge mayor Graydon Smith was on hand to drop the starting flag for both the 20 km and 12 km races.

While the Muskoka Brewery Trophy for Fastest Male Paddler went to Ron Coulson of Parry Sound, the Algonquin Outfitter Trophy for Fastest Female Paddler was awarded to Andrea Ross of Utterson and the Bracebridge Generation Trophy for Faster Junior Paddlers was awarded to Bill Bailey and Danny Herr from Parry Sound, the big winner for the day was the Muskoka Watershed Council. The event raised over $2,500 to support a number of projects and initiatives being carried out by the Council.

Excitement is high from paddlers for next year’s event, scheduled for Saturday, October 6^th. Many intend to bring friends with them! Results from this year’s race are posted at www.muskokapaddlingexperience.com.