Muskoka is many things to different people. For some it’s a weekend getaway, for others a space to enjoy favourite outdoor sports. It’s a way to finally escape the big city and achieve retirement dreams. It’s the place where families are raised and extended family gathers.
No matter what Muskoka means to you, one thing is certain: it’s the incredible natural environment that lets you fulfill those wants and needs. Keeping Muskoka in good health is vital.
From the land to the lakes, the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) is active in protecting the environment that both seasonal and full-time residents rely on for recreation, relaxation, and the economy.
Volunteers and staff at the 131-year-old lake association monitor local council meetings and track development proposals, all with a goal of ensuring the lakes and forests are protected and functioning as they should.
It’s all interconnected
Deb Martin-Downs, chair of the MLA’s Environment Committee, says one of the keys to protecting the environment is understanding how everything works together.
“Many people don’t make the connection that what happens on the land ends up in the water,” says Deb, a biologist with a Ph.D. specializing in freshwater ecosystems. “What we do on the land, be it agriculture or building or recreational activities, eventually finds its way into the water if we’re not careful.”
Excessive tree removal, blasting and soil stripping for development, poorly designed landscaping, badly maintained septic systems and more can all result in pollutants entering the water.
“As we live on the land, we have to be mindful of the chemicals we use around our properties such as de-icing salt, fertilizer and pesticides aimed at controlling mosquitoes and spiders, that can runoff and impact the health of our lakes and our wildlife,” says Deb.
This is why there are shoreline protection policies and bylaws for waterfront areas, she explains.
The MLA’s catchment area consists of the Big Three lakes – Muskoka, Joseph, and Rosseau – as well as smaller lakes within the Township of Muskoka Lakes and the surrounding municipalities of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Seguin.
Most municipalities have bylaws that specify building and septic setbacks from the shoreline, the amount of shoreline that should remain natural, and usually require maintaining a 15 m natural buffer along the shoreline. Recently, the Township of Muskoka Lakes approved bylaws for site alteration and tree protection to regulate blasting, soil removal, fill, and tree removal.
“If you take all the native plants out from the shoreline and just put a whole whack of mulch down, that’s not a buffer,” Deb explains. “Just because you think it looks prettier, doesn’t make it functional. What provides better protection is a mix of plants, shrubs, and other natural ground cover.”
A strip of native vegetation at the water’s edge slows the flow of water, allowing it to soak into the soil rather than rushing straight into the lake.
“If you were to pour a jug of water on your driveway, within a second it would be running off,” says Deb. “If you put the same amount of water on your dry lawn, a certain amount of it would soak in, but once that soil is damp, the water will run off. But if you pour water from the same jug into a natural forest, it will run off extremely slowly, if it runs at all.”
Having that natural buffer also helps prevent shoreline erosion. A mass of trees, shrubs, and native ground cover plants will form a dense matt of roots which will stabilize the soil, holding it in place far more effectively than a manicured garden can.
The MLA has noticed too many people stripping away the shoreline and planting a lawn or a mulched garden, and that won’t hold up to a storm or a flood.
“Because of the policy and advocacy efforts, water quality in virtually all the lakes remains excellent in spite of a few areas of concern and the growth in shoreline properties over the years,” says Deb. “The MLA produces a water quality report annually that analyses the results of water sampling and tracks changes in the 54 areas over two-plus decades of sampling.”
Membership is imperative
Water quality and the environment as a whole are key topics for the MLA, but the organization also acts as an advocate on a wide range of issues including responsible land use and development, taxes, safe boating, and more.
A robust membership is key to being effective advocates for the waterfront and environment. The MLA was launched in the 1890s by concerned cottage owners, but it has long since expanded its membership to include permanent residents, including some who don’t even live on the water but who are concerned about the same issues.
The adage that there is strength in numbers certainly applies to the MLA’s mission to preserve and enhance Muskoka’s unique environment for all generations to enjoy. Members, volunteers, and donors alike all agree that when it comes to protecting the Muskoka they love, getting involved with the MLA is the obvious decision.
TEXT CHRIS OCCHIUZZI
PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
