One of the first initiatives developed by the Muskoka Watershed Council in 2002 was the  Clean & Green 13, a program designed to inspire people to take a look at their every day lives and realize what kind of impact their actions have on the watersheds that we all share.

The Clean & Green 13 is a list of some positive steps that you can take right now to improve the health of Muskoka watersheds.

Clean & Green 13

I want my watershed to be Clean & Green, therefore I will:

Protect Air Quality

• Reduce my gasoline consumption.
• Buy fuel-efficient engines (in vehicles, lawn mowers, snowmobiles, etc).

In My House/Cottage

• Inspect my septic tank every 2 to 3 years and have it pumped regularly.
• Use phosphate-free soaps and alternative cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar.
• Take paint, batteries, aerosol cans and petroleum products to hazardous waste depots for disposal.
• Recycle and compost in order to reduce my household garbage to 1 bag per week.

On My Property

• Reduce my use of chemical fertilizers and eliminate my use of pesticides.
• Preserve the natural vegetation and trees on my property.
• Handle fuel, oil and other chemicals with great care and have an action plan to deal with any spills that occur.

On the Shoreline

• Ensure that my docks, boathouse and other structures do not occupy more than 25% of my shoreline.
• Leave the remaining 75% or more of my shoreline in its natural state.

When Using Watercraft, Snowmobiles or Other Engines

• Prevent erosion by reducing boat wake effects on shorelines.
• Buy a 4-stroke engine in any future boat or other recreational vehicle purchase.