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Muskoka
Watershed Council
GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
GOAL
To
preserve and enhance the air, water and terrestrial ecosystems of
the watersheds in Muskoka for the environmental, health, economic,
spiritual and intrinsic values they provide.
Objective
1
Develop and
implement education and public information programs that promote
an understanding of the impact of human actions on the environment
and encourage lifestyles that are compatible with healthy and functioning
watersheds.
Actions
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Encourage and support environmental curriculum and extra curricular
activities in schools.
- Develop
and distribute information related to watershed health.
- Develop and
maintain an up to date resource library on environmental issues
- Develop and
implement recognition programs for businesses and industries that
operate in an environmentally sensitive manner
Objective 2
Encourage
environmentally responsible lifestyles
Actions
-
Promote environmentally sensitive use of land and water
- Promote
socially responsible use of light and sound
- Promote
personal lifestyle choices that are both environmentally responsible
and considerate of neighbours and community.
- Create an
appreciation-of-nature ethic by promoting the development and
use of trails and parks and by preserving nature reserves.
Objective 3
Promote sound
land and water use planning that protects Muskoka's watersheds.
Actions
- Promote
communication, dialogue and partnerships with all levels of government
on watershed health, including air quality, water quality and
quantity, and habitat protection.
- Participate
in local and regional government decision-making on matters of
watershed health.
- Provide
informed opinions on environmental issues.
- Promote
development that maintains the small town character of communities
and encourages people to walk and cycle.
Objective 4
Promote
activities and best practices that respect the natural environment,
do not damage the resource base of Muskoka, and support a strong
economy and healthy community structure.
Actions
- Actively
promote environmentally responsible behaviour by individuals,
government, business and industry by encouraging lifestyle and
best management practices that enhance watershed health.
- Advocate
for responsible use of our natural resources including soils,
water, forests, aggregates, granite bedrock and air.
- Advocate
for the responsible and considerate use of motorized recreational
vehicles.
- Promote
land and water use and other human activities that support healthy
watersheds and develop plans and programs to rehabilitate existing
degraded areas.
Objective 5
Develop and
implement programs to assess and monitor the health of Muskoka's
watersheds.
Actions
- Develop
partnerships and implement programs to monitor watershed health
and identifying areas of degradation or impairment.
- Regularly
prepare a watershed report card on the health of the watersheds
in Muskoka.
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