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

  1. Encourage and support environmental curriculum and extra curricular activities in schools.
  2. Develop and distribute information related to watershed health.
  3. Develop and maintain an up to date resource library on environmental issues
  4. Develop and implement recognition programs for businesses and industries that operate in an environmentally sensitive manner

 

Objective 2

Encourage environmentally responsible lifestyles

Actions

  1. Promote environmentally sensitive use of land and water
  2. Promote socially responsible use of light and sound
  3. Promote personal lifestyle choices that are both environmentally responsible and considerate of neighbours and community.
  4. 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

  1. Promote communication, dialogue and partnerships with all levels of government on watershed health, including air quality, water quality and quantity, and habitat protection.
  2. Participate in local and regional government decision-making on matters of watershed health.
  3. Provide informed opinions on environmental issues.
  4. 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

  1. Actively promote environmentally responsible behaviour by individuals, government, business and industry by encouraging lifestyle and best management practices that enhance watershed health.
  2. Advocate for responsible use of our natural resources including soils, water, forests, aggregates, granite bedrock and air.
  3. Advocate for the responsible and considerate use of motorized recreational vehicles.
  4. 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

  1. Develop partnerships and implement programs to monitor watershed health and identifying areas of degradation or impairment.
  2. Regularly prepare a watershed report card on the health of the watersheds in Muskoka.