Natural Heritage Program

Muskoka Heritage Foundation has been working since 1987 to protect and conserve Muskoka’s unique environment through strong environmental leadership. We encourage environmentally responsible behaviour through public awareness programs, annual awards and shoreline restoration projects. We also promote sound environmental practices such as wetland protection, dark sky initiatives and the planting of indigenous trees and shrubs.

Natural heritage projects are all about hands-on passion. If you want to see immediate results, increase your environmental knowledge and maybe get your hands dirty, this work is for you. Join us in our work to ensure a healthy Muskoka environment for future generations.

Stewardship FAQs

Shoreline Restorations

The Natural Heritage Committee has been a partner in a series of community re-naturalization projects. Check out the photos of the projects we’ve been involved with in the past and become involved in current projects! New members of the Natural Heritage Committee are also always welcome. Check out the Shoreline Restoration Projects.

Stewardship Awards

Each year the Muskoka Heritage Foundation presents a number of Natural Heritage Stewardship Awards to recognize the efforts of private or commercial property owners who have protected or rehabilitated natural areas.

Natural Heritage Award Recipients

What are the Stewardship Awards

Awards FAQs

Criteria and Nomination Process

Natural Heritage Award Criteria
Residential Properties Criteria

Commercial Properties Criteria

Natural Heritage Award Nomination Process
Nomination Form

Wayland Drew Award

The Wayland Drew Natural Heritage Award is presented to honour a man who truly loved wilderness and natural places. His commitment to the natural world carried into his work as a writer, teacher, and environmentalist. He authored 12 books, taught almost 20 years, and spearheaded a major environmental conference. In 1992, Wayland Drew was presented with the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Conservation presented by the Conservation Council of Ontario. Sadly we lost Wayland to ALS in Dec of 1998.

With support of the Drew family, the Muskoka Heritage Foundation initiated the Wayland Drew Natural Heritage Award to reward individuals who exemplify environmental leadership, by promoting stewardship, conservation, environmental education or awareness of Muskoka’s natural heritage.

Recipients of this prestigious award will have their names inscribed on the very beautiful and symbolic “Bear Manitou” sculpted by Brenda Wainman-Goulet. This is particularly significant as Wayland belonged to a society to protect bears. Recipients will also receive mounted medallions of the bear.

Wayland Drew Award Recipients