Muskoka Stewardship Connection

Fall foliage at its best!

2011-10-15T09:20:00.012-04:00

The show of vibrant colours is nothing short of spectacular these days as we make our way along the roads and trails of Muskoka! We are so fortunate to live in and visit an area with one of the most splendid displays of fall colour anywhere in the world.

Ever wonder why the leaves change colours every fall?

Myths of leaf colour change:

It does not occur because of frost. But, frost can disrupt the speed at which the leaves turn and halt colour transformation. Frost call kill the leaf and turn it brown.

Spring & Summer: trees are growing and turning green.

Fall: growth slows because of moisture levels, temperature, amount of stored energy in the roots, genetics. Systems begin to shut down as the tree prepares for winter dormancy

September 23rd (autumnal equinox): Days and nights are of equal length and thereafter the days are shorter and shorter. The sun's rays also become less direct and the air is cooler.

Autumn colour is a phenomenon that takes place within the leaves of a tree. Here's what happens:

The lifelines between the leaves and the tree become blocked and the production of chlorophyll stops. The existing chlorophyll in the leaves slowly disappears as it is destroyed by sunlight.
Throughout the summer, the green chlorophyll has been dormant, blocking out the other pigments, thus giving the leaves their green colour. Once the production of chlorophyll is halted, the leaves begin to show their true colours.
As chlorophyll production ceases, other pigments become more dominant. Carotin helps with the orange colours and xanthrophyll is the yellow pigment.
The leaves continue to change colour and reach their peak until the time just before the leaves fall. At the location where the leaf stem joins the branchof the tree, there is a separation layer. This is a layer of cells which gradually weaken, eventually causing the leaf to break off and fall.

Quick facts of leaf change:

Colour change occurs on broad-leaved trees such as maple, oak, ash, and birch.
These trees are also called "hardwoods" because most of them have wood which is quite hard, and "deciduous" because their leaves are shed each autumn.
Trees that stay green all winter are "evergreen" or "coniferous" trees such as pine, spruce, hemlock, balsam, and cedar.
Shedding their leaves actually protects the tree during winter. The leaves don't give off water (or transpire) when they are not on the tree, thus saving the tree from having the replace that water to keep the leaf alive.

Where in Muskoka is your favourite display of colour this year?

This Saturday: Great Muskoka Paddling Experience

2011-10-03T09:48:00.011-04:00

A fun racing experience for canoes and kayaks for all levels of participants

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Annie Williams Park, Bracebridge, Muskoka River

www.muskokapaddlingexperience.com

The race includes two distances to choose from in an “out-and-back” course. The start and finish line is just below the Bracebridge Falls in downtown Bracebridge. A 12 km family/short course will take boats downstream to a turn-around at Santa’s Village. A 20 km long course will take paddlers from the falls downstream all the way to Lake Muskoka, around McVittie Island and back upstream to the finish/falls.
Water depth is good all year and flows are generally low.
The staging area (parking, registration, launching, etc.) is at Annie Williams Park.

The weather for Saturday is looking dandy!

Add this race to your calendar and come to Muskoka to enjoy the fall leaves, paddle a classic river, support a local watershed initiative Muskoka Watershed Coun cil and work up an appetite for Turkey.

Fall Colour Report

2011-09-29T13:07:00.004-04:00

Fall foliage colour in Algonquin Park is now at peak!

Algonquin Park is in the northern part of Muskoka and is a bit higher in elevation. So, there leaves may be changing there a bit sooner than in more southern parts of the region. Nevertheless, the leaves are putting on a good show. With October only a couple days away, the entire region of Muskoka will be entering peak foliage colour.

One of the best ways to enjoy the colour is to go for a hike or paddle. The options for these types of activities are endless in Muskoka. A good place to start looking for options is the Muskoka Trails Council. They have maps of just about every hiking trail in Muskoka.

If you're out enjoying fall, let me know by leaving a comment, or visiting the Muskoka Heritage Foundation Facebook Page and leaving a comment. Better yet, post a photo of the fall colours where you are!

Workshop: Woodlot Management

2011-09-19T11:56:00.008-04:00

Introduction to Woodlot Management

Saturday, September 24, 2011

9am-3pm

Glen Orchard Public School

If you are planning to harvest trees from your woodlot, have an interest in what information is available on woodlot management, are wondering how you might manage your woodlot for wildlife values, or would like to learn more about the design and maintenance of trails through your woodlot, then this is the workshop for you!

Participants will learn about basic principles of forest management, how to assess trees for defects, what wildlife values exist in woodlots, as well as some basic principles of trail design and maintenance.

The morning session will consist of several short lectures followed by an afternoon field trip with real examples and hands on learning.

This workshop is limited to 35 participants. Pre-registration is required. For information and registration please contact Meghan Powell at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Bracebridge Office. Tel: 705-646-5500 or email, meghan.powell@ontario.ca

Top photo by John McQuarrie.

2nd and 3rd photos by Greg Francis

Rally for Nature

2011-08-31T20:44:00.016-04:00

Nature can't vote.

But you can!

Let the Province know that you don’t want Ontario’s wildlife to disappear!
On September 21, you can speak up for nature. Join Ontario Nature and tell all the political candidates running in the upcoming election that protecting plants, animals and ecosystems is one of the most important issues facing us today.

Meet friends of Ontario Nature at 11:00am at Queen’s Park on Wednesday, September 21, 2011.

On behalf of the more than 6,000 people who signed our Charter for Biodiversity, you can send a message to government saying that the loss of wildlife in Ontario must be stopped.

Visit Ontario Nature's "Rally for Nature" site to find out more and learn what else you can do to help wildlife in Ontario.

When you vote on October 6th in the Ontario provincial election, remember to think about biodiversity conservation as an important election issue.

Golf Courses and Environmental Stewardship

2011-08-23T15:58:00.014-04:00

Golf courses aren't always the most environmentally friendly of places. However, in Muskoka they are an important part of our economy. The Muskoka Highlands golf course takes steps to provide a scenic and challenging golf course while contributing to a healthier natural environment. Now that's environmental stewardship in action!

Muskoka Heritage Foundation held our Annual Golf Classic tournament at the Muskoka Highlands in an effort to showcase the possibilities for stewardship in Muskoka- both on and off the course! Below a sample of what we learned. Click on the images for a larger view.

Hole #1

Hole #4

Hole #10

Hole #13

Hole #17

We had a great day at Muskoka Highlands on Monday. All funds raised from the tournament, silent auction and putting contest go directly to support our Stewardship Programs. A HUGE "thank you" to our golfers and sponsors.

Above: Gord Durnan takes a practice swing before his chance to win the putting contest.

Above: Looking over Hole #2. The rain held off despite ominous skies.

Above: Golfers at Hole #17: a chance at a hole in one!

Above: Supporters from Muskoka Watershed Council pose for their team photo.

Winners take all! And will have their names put on the tournament trophy.

This team won "most honest". Looking good!!

Thanks again to all our sponsors and golfers. It was a great day!

See you again next year.

In the meantime, what are you doing to incorporate stewardship practices on your property?

Composting in Bear Country: free workshop!

2011-08-16T10:55:00.003-04:00

(FREE) Composting workshop tomorrow evening!

I've written before about Composting 101, but now's your chance to attend a hands on workshop about it. Looks amazing!

If you go, please let me know so I can hear all about it!

A map to Yvonne Williams Park, in Parry Sound

Muskoka is Getting Well Aware

2011-08-08T15:09:00.013-04:00

Did you know that the Muskoka Heritage Foundation delivers the Well Aware program? This program helps protect drinking water and groundwater resources.

Well Aware’s trained representatives conduct visits, known as “guided self-assessments,” with well owners to help them learn how to manage their own wells. The visits are voluntary, non-regulatory, and confidential.

The program was developed to meet the need for consistent, reliable information about caring for private wells. Homeowners who receive poor results from well-water tests contact Well Aware as a starting point to learn how they can improve their water. Property owners new to living on a well can also contact the program to learn how to protect and conserve their water supply from day one.

On each Muskoka area visit, Matt (above right), our local Well Aware representative, asks a series of questions from a standardized assessment tool to determine how the well is being managed. Afterwards the advisor provides information and contacts that will help the homeowner follow up on recommendations made during the visit. Recommendations typically include well upgrades to meet current safety standards, removing potential contaminants from the well area, testing the water regularly (like in the photo below) and pumping septic tanks.
Well Aware is the first large-scale private well stewardship program in Canada. It has won the 2009 Sustainable Community Award for Water, awarded by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and CH2MHill.

Besides well home visits, Well Aware distributes a booklet and video, operates a website, and has developed many useful factsheets. Well Aware focuses on education and awareness on well owners to help empower them to make positive changes to protect their primary source of drinking water.

Are you Well Aware?

Contact Rebecca Francis at Muskoka Heritage Foundation to book your well visit!

Well Aware is a program of Green Communities Canada (GCC). It is delivered in Muskoka by Muskoka Heritage Foundation, the local GCC member organization, and in 21 other Ontario upper tier municipalities by 14 GCC member organizations.

Woodlot Management & Tree Selection

2011-08-03T08:45:00.014-04:00

The final 2011 Nature Quest Workshop was held on July 26th at the Bracebridge Resource Management Centre. Stewardship Coordinator, Chris Near, from the Parry Sound Muskoka Stewardship Network (PSMSN) led the session about Silviculture.

What is Silviculture?

Simply put, silviculture is the science of growing trees. If you are a woodlot owner, chances are you will want to think about which silviculture method you would like to practice in your woodlot. You may even end up practicing more than one depending on the size and features of your property. Chris spoke to the group about three methods for growing, harvesting, and regenerating trees: clearcutting, selection, and shelterwood.

Plantations, such as the red pine plantation pictured above, require good forest management, including proper thinning, top reach their full potential. Red pine prefers dry locations and grows best on sandy, coarse loam soil which is well drained. Research has shown that as red pine plantations mature, they begin to transform old field sites into forest conditions. The increase in organic material in the soil from the needles helps prevent erosion from wind and water. As the stand is thinned, the increase of sunlight reaching the forest floor provides ideal conditions for native hardwood and conifer species to germinate and grow.

About 50 bird and mammal species depend on cavity trees, including primary users which make their own cavities. Cavities constructed by the pileated woodpecker (like the ones above) are especially important in providing habitat for other animals. Aim to keep six living cavity trees per hectare in our woodlot.

If you are planning a large cutting operation on a large woodlot, be sure to consider how the logging equipment will get in and out of your woodlot. There is the potential for damage if not thought out properly. Some landowners will use the trails made by the skidders and other logging equipment and convert them into trails for personal use after the logging is finished (like in the photo above)

Creating openings in the forest crown provides benefits to regeneration. You might consider planting seedlings in an opening to promote greater species variety. Make sure to consider species types and their shade tolerance and plan for maintenance of the area if necessary to maintain sunlight in the area.

The Bracebridge Resource Management Centre (BRMC) is a great place to visit to see the different aspects of forest management. It is indeed a managed forest where the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has managed different parts of the forest there in different ways and to regenerate the forest using different methods. If you get a chance to visit, make sure to stop at the signs like to one above to learn about various aspects of silviculture.

More Information

There is a lot to consider when managing a forest or woodlot. Be sure to seek out good information and reliable professionals. Some resources to get you started:

A Landowner's Guide to Forest Management Basics call me or drop in at the office to receive this resource

Managed Forest Tax Incentive information and resources

Private Land Forestry resources

What to ask when hiring a forest contractor

A landowners guide to careful logging

A landowners guide to selling standing timber

Meet the Researcher at Algonquin Park!

2011-07-26T10:36:00.006-04:00

Meet the Researcher Day
When: Thursday, July 28, 2011, 9am – 3pm
Location: East Beach Picnic Pavilion
Event Type: Special Events & Guests
Age: All Ages

Algonquin's Wildlife Research Station invites you to spend time with researchers who use Algonquin Park as their laboratory. Meet those who study reptiles and amphibians, birds, small mammals, fish, wolves, and even humans (through archaeology).

A fundraising barbecue (noon to 2:00pm, or while quantities last) is hosted by The Friends of Algonquin Park in support of research in the Park, and free draws take place for great prizes generously donated by local businesses and organizations. Suitable for all ages.

See more images of Meet the Researcher Day on Facebook

Fore more information visit the Friends of Algonquin Park website

Hope to see you there!

Batty About Bats

2011-07-20T14:29:00.015-04:00

Bats are the primary predator of night-flying insects such as moths, beetles, and mosquitoes. Did you know that a single bat can catch hundreds of insects in just one hour? That can mean consuming from 30 to 50 percent of its body weight in insects each night!

Christy Macdonald, Fish and Wildlife Technical Specialist at the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources joined us for the third Nature Quest workshop of the summer to tell us about bats in Ontario and some of the challenges they face. Here are some of the highlights from the afternoon.

There are eight different species of bats in Ontario. Can you name them? Above is the big brown bat. Below, is the tri-coloured bat.

There is also the Hoary bat, the Eastern Red bat, the Silver-haired bat, the Northern Long-eared bat, the Eastern Small footed bat, and the Little Brown bat. Ontario's bats are a mix of cavity and foliage roosters. Cavity roosters roost in caves (or sometimes bat houses) in large numbers and hibernate over winter. Foliage roosters don't form colonies but instead live singularly in trees. The Eastern Red bat, the Hoary bat, and the Tri-coloured bat are all foliage roosters.

One serious issue Christy spoke with the group about is white-nosed syndrome. The Little brown bat above has the outward physical signs of this white fungus which first appears on the nose and face areas and has since spread the the wings. This fungus deteriorates the skin on these areas. There is not much known about this fungus that has only appeared in Ontario in the past year. It is only present in the colonies as they hibernate. Internally, the white fungus seems to cause strange behaviour in bats, such as waking up during hibernation. When they wake up they want to clean themselves of the fungus which uses their crucial energy stores. Sometimes infected bats will spend even more energy looking for food during the day-time or in winter. This is bad news, as these bats end up using their stored energy and dying of starvation.

What can you do to help? Don't go into caves or abandoned mines. And don't touch live or dead bats. You can also report sightings of bats with white-nosed syndrome by calling the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre at 1-866-673-4781.

Bat houses are another way we can help bats by creating habitat for them. There are many factors to consider when building a bat house:

Design & Construction

Habitat (in Muskoka, near water is a must)

Sun exposure (full sun, and paint the box black)

Mounting (predator guards, not on a tree)

Away from predators (like racoons)

Away from uninvited guests (like wasps)

Timing (fall is the best time to put up a bat house)

Experiment (if bats don't visit, try another location)

You will need to do some research about the specific design and construction. Some helpful links to resources are below. I would love to hear how you fare!

Above: Christy speaks to the group about the different styles and the location of the 4 bat houses at the MNR office in Bracebridge. Can you spot the three different styles in this photo?

Resources:

Canadian Wildlife Federation

Bat Conservation International. This is where the book on building bat houses came from that we gave away as prizes at the Nature Quest workshop.

WWF Canada

Bat Box Guy

OMNR

Species at Risk in Muskoka: A guided walk of Torrance Barrens

2011-07-14T13:32:00.055-04:00

For our 2nd Nature Quest workshop of the summer we gathered at Torrance Barrens to learn about Species at Risk in Muskoka. Torrance Barrens is a Conservation and Dark Sky Reserve established in 1999. The 1905 hectares is a region as a protected pace free from intrusion by urban light pollution. Its' rugged barrens, wetlands, and forested areas also provide habitat to at least 5 of Ontario's Species at Risk.

Natural Heritage Biologist Jan McDonnell led the group on a hike around Highland Pond and spoke to us about the valuable habitat the area provides and the species who call Torrance Barrens home.

Above: Here's Jan telling the group about turtles that are known to live in Torrance Barrens. Spotted Turtles have been seen here before and Blanding's turtle habitat exists here.

Above: a Spotted turtle, a species at risk classified as endangered

Above: a Blanding's turtle, a species at risk classified as threatened

Above: Participants in the workshop cross the bridge over the wetland. Wetlands are one of Muskoka's most valuable habitats. They provide many services like filtering the water to maintain water quality, help prevent erosion, and help control floods. Many species also depend on wetlands for habitat and food.

Above: Jan passes around a turtle shell and a snake skin for participants to look at as she speaks about suitable habitat for snakes such as Massassauga rattlesnakes and Eastern Hog-nose Snakes.

Above: Massassauga rattlesnakes (threatened on the species at risk list) use large "table rocks" as gestation sites. It is here that they give birth to live young every 2 years. It is too energetically demanding to do every year. The table rocks are used to thermoregulate; hide in the shade under the rocks or between the rocks when it's hot and lay on top when they need to absorb heat.

Above: Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes eat toads and tend to roam over vast areas in search of toads, open sandy areas & dry woods. They lay eggs under a log or in leaf litter in midsummer. Their eggs hatch after about 2 months.

Above: In a dramatic fashion, the Eastern Hog-nosed snake will play dead (and even hand its' tongue out!) as a defence mechanism. They are also known to "puff adder" to intimidate potential prey, although they are not dangerous. They are categorized as threatened on the species at risk list.

Above: At our last stop, Jan talks about the poor fen wetland in Torrance Barrens. Poor fens have a high water table and some flow-through, but not much fresh water. They absorb massive amounts of water and are exceptional at preventing floods, supplying a constant flow of water and water filtration.

Above: The Whip-poor-will is a nocturnal bird whose habitat can be found in Torrance Barrens. They like a mixture of open (for feeding) and wooded (for nesting) areas. Whip-poor-wills call at dusk and just before dawn and their name take after the sound of their call. They are also a species at risk, categorized as threatened.

The Five-lined Skink is Ontario’s only lizard. Juveniles have a bright neon blue tail (grey in adults as above). Skinks are active during the day and like wooded locations with sandy soil and open rocky habitat with crevices and loose rocks. They lay 6-10 eggs under a log or rock which hatch in late summer. They are listed as a species of special concern on the species at risk list in Ontario.

Watch for turtles out on the roads this season!

Slow down in areas where you see this sign.

Find out more:

Muskoka Water Web: about fens

Species at Risk in Ontario

Species at Risk in Parry Sound

Torrance Barrens

Don't miss the last 2 Nature Quest workshops!

July 19: Batty about Bats

July 26: Woodlot Management and Tree Selection

GO HERE for registration information

Tree ID in Muskoka

2011-07-06T08:39:00.031-04:00

It's that time of year again! The Nature Quest Stewardship Series is in full swing. Join us every Tuesday in July as we learn about tree identification, species at risk, bats, and forest management.

Participants look in their field guides and they identify a tree as part of the first Nature Quest workshop of the summer.

This week, the topic for the workshop was "Hike up your tree ID IQ". You might remember a workshop with the same title from last year. The new Stewardship Coordinator at the Parry Sound Muskoka Stewardship Council, Chris Near, refreshed the program this year and enthralled the audience in an afternoon hike at the Bracebridge Resource Management Centre.

Chris helped to give us the tools we need to become tree ID experts. Here he helps a young participant identify some needles from a coniferous tree.

Chris helps some of the participants note the differences between the leaves of hard and soft maples.

We started off with a list of ways that trees can be identified:

Coniferous or Deciduous

Coniferous are cone-bearing and have needles. Deciduous have leaves.

Bark

What colour is it? Is it rough or smooth? Does it peel? Is it hard or soft? Each tree has a distinctive bark. This is a good way to identify deciduous trees in the winter.

Leaf Pattern and Structure

Are the leaves compound or are they simple?

Do the leaves grow opposite on each side of the stem or do they alternate?
Along the edges, is each leaf lobed, single toothed, or double toothed?

What is the shape of the leaf?

When there are no leaves on the trees, it can also be helpful to look at the pattern of the buds on the branch.

Needle Pattern

Are the needles clustered together? if so, in groups of how many? Or, are the needles single shoots off the stem?

Silhouette

What is the silhouette of the tree when you stand back a little but and look at it? Round, pointy, bushy? This can offer a hint as to the species of the tree.

Fruit

Is the tree bearing any fruit? What does it look like? What shape is it?

My list above is very brief and uses only words. It's a good idea to find a field guide to help you with your tree ID. There are also some good websites to help you along. Some suggestions are at the end of the blog. It's also a good idea to go for hikes to practice your tree ID. After all, practice makes perfect! Good Luck!

Participants walk along the trail and the Bracebridge Resource Management Centre. It was a beautiful day for a hike as we identified trees.

Suggested Resources

What tree is it? : an interactive tree ID website

Flemming College website

Highly recommended book: Trees in Canada by John Laird Farrar

For a sneak peek at the same book try this link

Another highly recommended book: Forest Plants of Central Ontario

Join us next Tuesday at Torrence Barrens as we discover Species at Risk in Muskoka!

Eat Local: Farmers Markets in Muskoka

2011-06-27T12:47:00.018-04:00

It's summer and there is no easier time to eat locally in Ontario!

Here in Muskoka we're lucky to have some amazing food producers.

I wrote last year about the benefits of eating locally. There are usually less pesticides, less packaging, and less distance to travel to deliver (= less burned fossil fuels). David Suzuki recently published an article called: Small farms may be better for food security and biodiversity. In it he concludes that "we need to grow food in ways that make feeding people a bigger priority than generating profits for large agribusiness." Below are some folks you can support in order to get involved in our local food scene right here in Muskoka.

Our favourite producers continue to produce healthy, fresh, delicious, and nutricious food that we can get nearby:

Muskoka Meats & 100 Mile Store

Brooklands Farm (fruit & veggies)
Lavender Hills Farm (honey products, candles, & cosmetics)
Ivanita Farm and Meats
Muskoka Brewery
Lake of Bays Brewing Co.
Any many, many more. Too many to list here...but Savour Muskoka has a very comprehensive list.

Of course, the local markets play an important role in the distribution of the wonderful food and locally produced wares. Be sure to check them out!

Bracebridge Farmers Market
When? Saturdays, 8:30 am – 1 pm, Victoria Day Weekend to Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend
Where? Memorial Park, Manitoba Street, Bracebridge (beside Norwood Theatre)
More Info: http://www.thebracebridgefarmersmarket.com/

Rosseau Farmers Market
When? Fridays, 9 am – 2 pm, July 1 – Sept 2
Where? Waterfront on Lake Rosseau at the end of Short Street
More Info: http://www.rosseaumarket.com/

Huntsville Farmers Market
When? Thursdays, 9 am – 2 pm, Victoria Day Weekend to Halloween
Where? Canadian Tire Parking Lot, 77 King William St
More Info: http://buyfromthefarm.ca/farmers-market/huntsville-farmers-market

Rivermill Park Farmers Market (Huntsville)
When? Saturday's 9am-1pm starting July 2nd
Where? Rivermill Park
More Info: http://www.rivermillmarket.com/#SlideFrame_2

Port Carling Farmers Market (new this year!)

When? Thursdays, 9 am – 2 pm, June 30 to September 1, 2011

Where? Hanna Park, Port Carling

More Info: http://www.portcarlingfarmersmarket.com/

Gravenhurst Farmers Market
When? Every Wednesday 9am - 2pm, 18th May 2011 - 5th October 2011
Where? In the special events field at Muskoka Wharf (across the road from Boston Pizza)
More Info: http://www.gravenhurstfarmersmarket.com/
Carling Farmers Market (District of Parry Sound)
When? Saturdays, 8 am – 1 pm, last Saturday in June – Labour Day Weekend
Where? Carling Recreation Hall, Carling, Ontario

Enjoy the succulent strawberries that are now ripe for picking at Brooklands Farm and Taylor Farms!!

Craft Beer for Good

2011-06-23T15:04:00.007-04:00

Join Us!

Ontario Craft Brewery Week began on Father’s Day and runs to this Saturday, June 25th.

Lake of Bays Brewing Co (LBBC) and Muskoka Brewery (MB) are joining forces to promote craft brewing in the region.

They are combining this celebration with a philanthropic effort, and the Muskoka Heritage Trust is the recipient of any monies raised during the week. This charitable element is being called “Craft Beer for Good.”

During the week, for every 12 pack of beer sold in the LBBC/MB retail stores, $2.00 of the sales will go to the Muskoka Heritage Trust. Cheers to that!

On Friday, June 24th they are hosting a celebratory BBQ at the Muskoka Brewery (in the parking lot) from 3pm-7pm.

Come on by for some food and raise a glass for "Craft Beer for Good"!

Hope to see you there!!

2011-06-22T14:55:00.007-04:00

Earlier this month the Stewardship Program held its' annual Master Steward Training in preparation for property visits this field season. The Master Stewards visit with landowners to tour their property and speak with them about good stewardship practices for their property. Everything from healthy forest management to shoreline re-naturalization to creating habitat for wildlife and trail building.

We had a fastastic weekend of learning! The following is a photo journal of our weekend spent talking, learning and experiencing stewardship in Muskoka.

This is most of the group at the end of the weekend. Thanks for a great weekend and for being super volunteers!

Master Steward Paula led us in a creative icebreaker that involved gathering from the forest to make a food or drink to share!

Matt and Chad explain their concoction.

The group listens to Master Steward Chris Near as he speaks about trail building.

The Master Steward volunteers listen intently.

The Master Stewards gaze up at the canopy as we listen to our guest speaker, Forester Scott Reid.

Scott speaks with the group about common tree diseases in Muskoka.

The Master Stewards identify trees and note their defect in a field exercise with Scott.

Master Stewards cross the stream on a bridge built by a landowner during a property visit at the Master Steward training.

Master Steward Chris Near speaks about trails in the field as a follow-up to his morning presentation.

The Master Stewards hike up a path using a railing along one of the trails at the property visit.

Master Steward Chris Gilmour gives a talk about wild edibles of Muskoka.

Some of the wild edibles Master Steward Chris Gilmour brought with him to share with the group- at our own risk!

Master Steward Chad give a talk on the importance of downed woody material in the forest and the art he creates from it.

Master Steward Ariel Zwicker speaks about her family maple syrup operation in Muskoka.

Thanks to the Master Stewards for their participation and passion for conservation through private stewardship in Muskoka!

Are you a landowner who would like a property visit from a Master Steward? Your property must be at least 5 acres. For more information click on the "About Us" tab or the "Contact Us" tab at the top of the page.

growing more resilient children

2011-06-14T11:18:00.008-04:00

An inspiring video from the good folks at the P.I.N.E. project.
Do you want to participate in similar programs in Muskoka?
Check out Earth Mentorship Programs offered this summer.

Nature Quest: Summer Stewardship workshops

2011-06-13T14:26:00.006-04:00

Hope to see you at these workshops this July!

click on each photo for a larger version

Profile on Invasives: Garlic Mustard

2011-06-06T15:58:00.029-04:00

It’s in season…. It’s invasive…. It’s sooo hard to get out of your garden...It's Garlic Mustard (Alliara petiolata)

Where does it grow?

This invasive plant likes moist forest conditions, wooded stream banks, floodplain forests, roadsides, and trail edges.

Why is it so bad?

It dominates the ground layer of plants where it grows and reduces the forests' natural ability to regenerate.

Garlic Mustard may also seriously harm one of Muskoka's species at risk, the West Virginia White butterfly. When the butterfly lays eggs on Garlic Mustard, the eggs will hatch but the young will not feed on the mustard and die. For a species whose habitat is in short supply, this is a serious problem! Learn more about the West Virginia White butterfly.

What does it look like?

Garlic Mustard grows from 13-120cm tall and stays green year-round. The stem has alternating leaves that are rounded in their first year (a photo here) but afterwards are jagged and pointy. When crushed, they produce a strong garlic smell.

In the second year, it produces flowers which are small (6-7mm), with four white pedals and are produced on a single stalk in May and June. In late July and August a small, oblong, black seed is produced. A single plant can produce up to five thousand seeds that germinate the following spring. This plant spreads like wildfire!

But don't mistake it for:

Phlox (various types): looks similar but the pedals are more rounded and there are five of them, not four.

Dame's Rocket: also looks similar but flowers can be pink or purple in addition to white. This plant also has a pleasant, fresh, floral, fragrance- not a garlic smell! The photos below are Dame's Rocket.

Both photos above are Dame's Rocket, NOT Garlic Mustard! They look soooo similar! But this one smells much nicer and can be white, pink, or purple.

How does it spread?

Unknowingly, humans and our pets can capture seeds on hair, fur, clothes,
shoes and bike tires, carrying them to new places

where the conditions are right and the seeds literally put

down their roots. It can also be spread by wild animals.

What can you do?

Look before you leave! After a hike, thoroughly brush off your clothing and shoes. Give your pet a brush before leaving the trail too! Garlic Mustard seeds can be carried in mud so rinse your shoes, pets, and bikes off before leaving.

Learn to detect this species early in its establishment, avoiding larger more labour intensive control efforts down the road.

Be carefule if you pull it out!

It can easily be pulled by hand in light, moist soils, but only for a small number of plants. This must be done over 5 successive years to ensure the seedbank is exhausted. Doing this with larger infestations could result in actually compounding the problem by encouraging the seed to spread

Have you found Garlic Mustard on your property? Look here for more tips on how to manage.

Report an invasive species: call the Invasive Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711

Profile on Invasives: Giant Hogweed

2011-05-30T09:39:00.017-04:00

Giant Hogweed

Heracleum mantegazzianum

This post marks the beginning of the "Profile on Invasives" series of the blog.

I will post in detail about some of the invasive species most commonly found in Muskoka.

Do you have a suggestion for a species you'd like to see covered?

Let me know by leaving a comment below!

What is it?
Giant Hogweed is a biennial or perennial plant, flowering only once in its lifetime and reproducing only by seed. Plants forming rosettes to 1m high the first year; in the second year, either sending up a flowering stem, or remaining vegetative and producing a very large rosette of huge leaves, these including their petioles, up to 2m high, and flowering in the third year. As it goes through these stages, its' appearance changes (see photos below).

Giant Hogweed grows for 3-5 years and 4-5 metres tall before flowering. Flowering occurs from June to August, at which point the seeds are released. Once the seeds are released the plant dies. Seeds are dispersed by wind, water and humans, and can survive in the soil for 7 years. Each plant can release between 20,000 to 100,000 seeds, resulting in high rates of spread.

Where does it grow?
Giant Hogweed grows in moist environments, generally near streams, lakes and ponds.
Why is it dangerous?
Giant Hogweed competes with native species for light, and can change the composition and reduce the diversity of native plant communities.

Giant hogweed contains a clear, watery, toxic sap. When this comes into contact with human skin it reacts with sunlight which results in severe burns on the skin within 15 minutes of exposure. The burns are extremely painful as evidenced in the photos below.

The sap is also carcinogenic and teratogenic, meaning it can cause cancer and birth defects. If the sap gets in your eye, the chemical in it can singe the cornea and cause temporary or permanent blindness.
What is the District of Muskoka doing about it?
On May 26th, Moose FM reported that the "Township of Muskoka Lakes is doing what it can to protect residents from the dangers of Hogweed. At a special council meeting last week, council directed staff to take action to eliminate Giant Hogweed from public land. This includes the use of pesticides and warning signage in known areas. The resolution will now go to District Council, where councillor Brad Burgess will ask to speak to members about undertaking a similar resolution district wide." Stay tuned...
What should you do if you find giant hogweed?

DO NOT touch the plant!

DO NOT try and control the plant yourself; contact a pest control expert or your town/municipality

Report your sighting to the Invading Species Awareness Program

Keep children and pets away from the plant

Help stop the spread of invasive plants of all kinds by removing seeds, fluff, plant material from your clothing, shoes, pets, and bikes before leaving a natural area.

Should you touch Giant Hogweed, wash the affected area immediately with soap and cool water. Avoid sunlight and seek medical attention.

Similar Plants

Giant Hogweed has a similar appearance to a few other common plants in Muskoka:

More Information and Photos

Ontario Weeds website

Invading Species

Another Muskokan blogging about Hogweed

Toronto Region Conservation Authority fact sheet

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs fact sheet

Invasive Plants and You

2011-05-25T11:20:00.007-04:00

Q: What do periwinkle, tansy, giant hogweed, norway maple, and garlic mustard have in common?

A: They are all invasive species!!

above: periwinkle

What is an invasive species?
According to the Ontario Invasive Plant Council (OIPC), invasive species are alien species whose introduction or spread negatively impact native biodiversity, the economy and/or society, including human health.

So what is an alien species?
Alien Species - Plant, animals and micro-organisms that have been accidentally or deliberately introduced into areas beyond their native range. Synonyms may include introduced, non-native and exotic.

What's the problem?

Financial Cost
Invasive alien plants cost us all money. They are a huge drag on the economy. Consider the simple subset of the added cost to farmers (over $2.2 Billion annually in Canada) and to your weekly grocery bill.

Environmental Cost
They also cost us environmentally, as these invasives replace or compete with native species causing a loss of health (i.e. resilience in ecosystems)...in human terms adding to the risks for our future security, making adaptation to climate change more difficult and adding to the problem of biodiversity loss.
There are about 500 invasive plants in Canada. Most of them (over 440) are in Southern Ontario, and thus most of the economic and biodiversity issues are in Ontario.

What are some solutions?
Here are a few ways you can help stop the spread of invasive species in Ontario:

Quick Tips

Gardening? Plant native species.
Going camping? Don’t transport firewood. Buy it locally; leave what you don’t use there.
Going fishing? Don’t empty your bait bucket in or near water – it’s against the law.
Going boating? Wash your boat before you move to another lake or river.
Going hiking? Clean visible mud, plants and seeds from your boots and other equipment.
Have a fish pet that is no longer wanted? Don’t release it into the wild and don’t flush dead fish down the toilet. Put them in the garbage or compost.
Have a turtle or other small reptile pet that is no longer wanted? Don’t release it into the wild. Contact a reptile rescue society like Little RES Q for help.
Travelling? Don’t take plants, plant parts, seeds or fruit across borders.

Report your sightings
Call the Invasive Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711
OIPC is working with partners to develop a mapping tool that will support an online database. On the Invasives Tracking System, you can review maps that show the known range of invasive species and contribute your additions to the information.

Be informed
There are lots of great resources available online. Check out the list at the end of this posting. The OIPC has also developed some helpful guides:
The Landowners Guide to Controlling Invasive Woodland Plants
Grow Me Instead: Beautiful Non-Invasive Plants for your Garden
And many more on the OIPC "Publications" page

Want to know more?
Ontario Invasive Plant Council
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: invasive species and biodiversity
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters: Invading Species
OMNR: Aquatic Invasive Species
Terrestrial Invasive Species
A helpful brochure to identify giant higweed in different stages of growth
Pick up a copy of the May/June 2011 issue of Muskoka Life for some good articles about how to get rid of invasive species and wht native plants are best in Muskoka!!
Invasive Alien Species in Canada (Environment Canada)

Discovering Ontario's Conifers

2011-05-11T10:20:00.010-04:00

Discovering Ontario's Conifers - Part 2 from The Tourism Café on Vimeo. This video is Part 2. Check out Part 1. From Northern Edge Algonquin

In this video, Chris talks about coming to know about different trees through using their materials in everyday use. He talks about making fires, tea, ropes, baskets, canoes and more from tree products. If you are outdoors this weekend be sure to make some time for a walk in the woods--and let me know what you learn!

What do you think of the video?

In what ways do you come to know the trees?

Enjoy the long weekend!!

2011 Environmental Lecture Series

2011-05-09T14:49:00.004-04:00

There's something for everyone at this year's Environmental Lecture Series!

Click on the blog title or the poster above for more details.

See you there!

Composting 101

2011-05-04T14:59:00.020-04:00

Get a high quality soil conditioner to improve your garden!

Reduce household waste by up to one third!

COMPOST!!

May 1-7 is International Composting Awareness Week!

What is compost?

According to the Compast Council of Canada, composting is a natural biological process, carried out under controlled conditions, which converts organic material into a stable humus-like product called compost. During the composting process, various microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, break down organic material into simpler substances. Composting is an aerobic process, meaning that the microorganisms require oxygen to do their work.

Benefits of Composting:

*Compost helps to maintain a healthy soil pH so that plants grow better

*Compost helps plants cope with stresses from drought and frosty temperatures

*Compost helps improve texture of soil

*Compost helps increase a sandy soil's moisture holding capacity
*Compost keeps earthworms content so that they can go about their work of aerating the soil

*Compost is a great source of plant nutrients

A special nod to coffee:

Coffee grounds fit the standards set by gardeners for compost materials. The grounds, when mixed with soil, release nutrients that make the ground richer and more acidic. Plants that flourish in acidic soil will be healthier since they can get the needed nourishment from the ground. If you have a good supply of coffee grounds, just spread them evenly in your garden. Your plants will reward you by producing robust blooms.

*New for Muskoka: Visit Oliver's Coffee (Bracebridge, Port Carling, or Bala) for your free bucket of grounds.

Worried about wildlife?

*Don't compost food scraps. Use a worm bin (i.e. vermicomposting) indoors instead. Or bury your food scraps directly in the garden, about a foot below the soil's surface.

*Make sure your compost pile doesn't smell. Strong odors attract pests. Odors in a compost pile are the result of anaerobic activity, which means your pile is compacted or too wet and air can't reach all of the materials. Be sure to turn it regularly to avoid this problem.

Not a gardener?

If you can't use the compost in your garden, you can still compost! Most communities in Muskoka offer curbside compost pick-up. If you just can't generate enough compost, some towns offer days where compost material is available for pick-up for use in your garden.

Want to know more?

Compost Coucil of Canada

Peterborough Green-Up Fact Sheets: a whole series on composting!!

Environment Canada: Composting Tips

District of Muskoka: kitchen organics

District of Muskoka: backyard composting

Green Action Centre (Manitoba) has some good information

How to Compost

Pollution. It's in you.

2011-04-27T11:52:00.002-04:00

Pollution. It's in you.

That's the tag line for the Environmental Defence campaign "Toxic Nation"

Pollution is not just a cloud of chemicals spewing from car exhausts or the nearby industrial plant. It is also found in our bodies. It comes from the air, soil, food, and the products we use. The list is long- and scary. (Another list here)

The Toxic Nation campaign strives to change policies to minimize these pollutants, conduct studies to expose the risks of these pollutants to Canadians and put together resources to help Canadians make more informed, healthy choices about the products we use- from shampoo to curtains, to pj's.

Did you know?

Major gaps in public health laws allow cosmetics companies to use almost any ingredient they choose in everything from sunscreen and mascara to deodorant and baby shampoo, with no restrictions and no requirement for safety testing.

Alternative: The U.S.-based Environmental Working Group has created the Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database. This database allows you to search almost any makeup, skin, hair, eye, nails, baby, oral care, sun protection, and other products to see what their ingredients are and how toxic they are. It rates them on a scale of 0-10 (o is good!). One warning: some companies have different ingredients in the American and Canadian versions of their products- so be sure to double check the labels at the store!

Did you know?

A large and growing body of scientific research links exposure to toxic chemicals to many ailments that plague people, including several forms of cancer,reproductive problems and birth defects, respiratory illnesses such as asthma and neuro-developmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

So what can you do?

Some of the most serious toxins in our lives come from hidden ingredients in the everyday consumer products found in our homes. The good news is that there are simple steps we can all take to reduce our exposure.

Ten Ways to Detoxify Your Home

(more details on each recommendation by clicking here)
Recommendations from the authors of Slow Death by Rubber Duck

Reduce non-stick products and stain repellents
Cut PVC plastic and fragrances
Eliminate Flame retardants in fabrics
Don’t use hard plastic containers
Eat Organic food
Have some fish in moderation
Stop using antibacterial products
Use natural household cleaning products
Call the companies
Express your concerns to your MP & MPP

Want to learn more?

Your Healthy House: recipes for cleaners made from common kitchen ingredients
EcoEthic: a Canadian line of environmentally friendly cleaners
Environmental Working Group: Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database
Slow Death by Rubber Duck: an eye-opening book by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie. Worth checking out! Lots of resources on this page too.
David Suzuki Foundation campaign "Dirty Dozen"
Environmental Defence: "Just Beautiful" campaign
Environmental Defence: "Toxic Nation" campaign
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
YWCA Muskoka Chemicals & Cosmetics: has 2 'zines to help you navigate the world of safe cosmetics

Happy Earth Day!!

2011-04-20T10:34:00.012-04:00

Earth Day is April 22!

What will you do to celebrate?

How can your actions last longer than just one day?

Here are some ideas:

In Huntsville, there is the "Greening Huntsville" initiative. It includes:

2 Street Sweeps: April 21

Urban Strretscape Tree Planting Program

Free Compost at Madil Church Yard (April 21)

Roadside Clean-up (April 30)

Neighbourhood Clean-up

Free Garage Sale (May 7)

Some Muskoka-wide events:

Native Plant Sale: pre-order before May 9, pick-up in Huntsville, Bracebridge, or Bala on May 14.

Biodiversity Day: A fun day for the family on May 22 at Brooklands Farm near Milford Bay

Muskoka Envirocredits: emissions offset program plants trees in Muskoka

3rd Annual Amazing Race: Come out August 13th as a volunteer or participant for fun and to support the Muskoka Trails Council

Participate in the Muskoka Stewardship Program to live more sustainably on your land.
One of the best things you can do to celebrate Earth Day is to "Give it up for Earth Day. That means helping to create a healthier world by making some changes in your daily routine. Some examples are:

Eating less (or no) meat in your diet. If you are really ready for change, you could try veganism.

Reduce the amount of "things" you buy- especially when lots of plastic packaging is involved.

Turn off the TV and get outside!

Cut out toxic chemicals from your home (watch for an upcoming blog post about this)

Challenge your friends and family to follow in your Earth Day footsteps

Have you decided to "Give it Up for Earth Day"?

There are prizes, materials, answers to your questions, and a community of like-minded people at Earth Day Canada's "Give it Up for Earth Day" Challenge.

Muskoka's Native Plants

2011-04-12T11:40:00.009-04:00

Spring is here - and so is the Muskoka Heritage Foundation Annual Native Tree & Shrub Sale!

Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis

This flowering plant is drought tolerant and likes sand or loam soil types with partial or full sun- and it's so pretty! It attracts birds, hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies which makes it useful in the oh-so-important pollination.

Staghorn sumach Rhus typhina

Spectacular red, edible, and showy seeds on this shrub. It likes clay, sand, and loam soils, partial or full sun, and normal to dry moisture.

Butterfly weed Asclespias tuberosa This red/orange flowering plant attracts pollinators and is also drought resistant.

Bear berry Artostaphylos uva-ursi This native ground cover is suitable for your shoreline restoration projects, in the riparian area. it is drought and salt resistant. It also attracts pollinators and adds a splash of colour to your garden!

I wrote last spring about why native plants are important for your gardening projects. Who can resist a garden that is colourful, disease and pest resistant, low maintenance, and provide habitat for wildlife? It just makes good sense!

WHAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YOUR GARDEN THIS SPRING:

Duplicate natural growing conditions

Consider soil type, moisture, sunlight, wind

Take clues from what is already growing

WANT TO KNOW MORE?:

More tips on starting your own native plant garden

Tips for choosing native species: wildflowers, trees, & shrubs

Not sure if it's a native species? check the native plant database

Problems with deer? Check out these deer resistant gardening techniques

Need planting tips? Check out this information sheet

ORDER PLANTS:

Orders must be placed by May 9th (email form or call in)

Pick up your order in Huntsville, Bracebridge, or Bala on May 14, 2011

Special workshops and information available at Bracebridge location

Happy Gardening!

Signs of Spring

2011-04-04T10:51:00.007-04:00

Spring was definitely in the air this weekend!

What did you do to enjoy it?

Did you remember your camera?

Submit your photos to the Muskoka Heritage Foundation "Spring to Life" Photography Contest

I noticed some sure signs of spring when I was out during the past week:

The ice is melting and shifting on Lake Rosseau

New growth and buds on this Red Maple in Annie Williams Park, Bracebridge

The river is free of ice, most of the snow has melted, and buds are starting to appear on the trees in Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge.

All the details you need to enter the "Spring to Life" Photography contest can be found here or on the blog post from last week.

There are some great prizes! Deadline for entry is this Friday, April 8, 2011

Spring to Life! Photo Contest

2011-03-31T08:26:00.017-04:00

Spring to Life! Amateur Photography Contest

A celebration of Muskoka’s environment and the global Earth Hour and Earth Day initiatives.

Frogs, toads, snakes, and turtles emerge! Photo Rebecca Francis

Scour your backyard, nearby lakes, swamps, woodlands, and neighbourhoods for the unique found-only-in Muskoka shot of the local environment as it comes to life after a long, sleepy winter.

What we're looking for are photographs that exemplify the signs of spring in Muskoka. What comes to mind when you think of spring? What feelings do you experience when "spring is in the air"?

Critters like chipmunks come out and robins and red-winged blackbirds return. Swollen buds take over the tips of branches and clothes can be hung on the line. For each person spring shows up in different, subtle ways. Photograph submissions should reflect your personal experience of the transition from winter to spring- and our enjoyment of that special time. The snow melts and we can once again see the forest floor. Ground covers sprout up and woodland pools foster lots of life. Photo: Rebecca Francis

1st Prize! An in-flight aerial photography lesson with professional photographer Paul Bennett. Visit http://www.paulbennettphotography.com/.

2nd Prize! A one-year subscription to the Wednesday edition of your choice, The Gravenhurst Banner, The Huntsville Forester or The Bracebridge Examiner.

3rd Prize! A one-year membership with the Muskoka Heritage Foundation and a copy of the MHF DVD entitled Life on the Edge: Stories of Muskoka’s Past.

Ducks and other birds return from their winter away. photo: Greg Francis

Criteria

Open to amateur photographers

Contest starts same day as Earth Hour— March 26

Entries must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. April 8

Email entry to events@muskokaheritage.org

Photos must be at least 300 dpi and 8 inches wide

To be eligible, submissions must include the name of the photographer and a brief description of the photo, including where it was shot in Muskoka

1st, 2nd and 3rd prize photos will be published in the April 20th, edition of Metroland’s local Wednesday papers (The Gravenhurst Banner, The Huntsville Forester, The Bracebridge Examiner) - 2 days before Earth Day!

Winning photos will be published on the Muskoka Heritage Foundation website

Metroland Media Inc. and the Muskoka Heritage Foundation reserve the right to reproduce submissions

Get outside, take your shots, and enter soon!!

Happy Earth Hour!

2011-03-22T13:09:00.016-04:00

On Saturday, March 26 at 8:30pm millions of people around the world will be flicking their lights off in support of Earth Hour.

Earth Hour was started in 2007 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and this year, its fifth year, it will be more popular than ever. Earth Hour grows in popularity every year. Last year, 128 countries and territories officially participated. Famous landmarks all over the world shut off their lights to show support. Currently, Earth Hour is the largest global initiative to fight climate change and it continues to grow.

Earth Hour provides an opportunity for the global community, no matter what background you are from, to join together to conquer one of our largest obstacles; climate change. Earth Hour gives the planet an hour of respect, where everyone can participate. This year, however, the WWF is campaigning for people to go beyond the hour, and make every hour Earth Hour. Some people only participate so they aren’t the only ones on the block with their lights on; but every year Earth Hour touches new people and makes them realize that our society must change so that we are living more sustainable life styles.

This year the Muskoka Heritage Foundation will try to get this message to Muskoka youth with the MHF Earth Hour Pledge. This will give students the opportunity to MAKE THE PLEDGE! on Facebook that commits them to participating in Earth Hour 2011.

Together our actions add up.
Happy Earth Hour!

Click on the logo to join the Facebook group and make the pledge!

Maple Syrup in Muskoka

2011-03-15T15:30:00.010-04:00

Word from hard maple stands in Muskoka is that the sap is starting to run!

Buckets on trees

Maple syrup production has a long history in Canada, beginning with aboriginal people. Check out some neat photos of some of the first sap collection techniques used here.

Tools of the trade

Remember, it's the International Year of Forests, to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. Maple syrup and forest health are strongly linked.

Sugar bush management involves thinning the trees to improve the health of the woodlot and the sap producing potential of individual maple trees. The development of wide and deep crowns is encouraged to support the production of large volumes of sweet sap.

The types of trees removed in improvement operations include the following:

Non-maple species including hemlock, beech and ash which interfere with the growth of maple crop trees.
Over-mature trees
Diseased, dying and defective trees
Trees producing sap with a sugar content of less than 1%

But remember, it is good practice to maintain species diversity to accommodate other values including aesthetics, wildlife and bio-diversity.

Tapping the tree

Feeding the fire to boil the syrup

Did you know?...It takes about 40 litres of Sugar Maple sap to make 1 litre of maple syrup!

Filtering the syrup

Upcoming workshop: Savour Muskoka is running a workshop at Brooklands Farm this Sunday, March 20th about maple syrup production fundamentals. For more details and a full description visit the "Stewardship Workshops and Events" page.

Want to know more?

This Extension Note about "Backyard Maple Syrup Production" tells you more about how to produce maple syrup in your own backyard.
This Extension Note about "Sugar Maple" trees is also helpful in learning more about this species and how to identify it.
Atkinson Maple Syrup Supplies has some helpful info sheets on various topics.
The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association has some educational resources too-- especially for children!
Managing Maple Trees for Sap Production: resources from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs.
FAQs about maple syrup production from OMAFRA

Thanks to Ariel Zwicker for the great photos from her family maple syrup operation!

Baysville Horticultural Society

2011-03-08T09:40:00.006-05:00

Baysville Horticultural Society gets a sneak peek at the Species at Risk booklet!

I presented to the lovely folks at the Baysville Horticultural Society last week. I spoke with them about land trust properties near Baysville, native species in the area, the importance of shoreline re-naturalization, the Well Aware program, and of course, the stewardship program.

I also spoke with them about the upcoming publication of the MHF’s Stewards’ Guide series, which will include the topics of Species at Risk in Parry Sound-Muskoka, Forest Management Options, Shoreline, Wetlands, and Trail Building. I had just received the proof from the printer for the Species at Risk booklet so they got to have a peek at what's to come! The Species at Risk booklet will be available at the MHF office in March and on the website soon!

Tyler, MHF Communications Intern, came along to help me sell tea towels and promote MHF programs.

The folks at Baysville Horticultural Society were a very engaged, interested audience who asked great questions and were enthusiastic about stewardship. Thank you!

March Break Nature Retreat – Earth Mentoring

2011-03-02T13:21:00.007-05:00

This week a profile of a very cool program in Muskoka: Earth Mentorship Programs

Earth Mentorship Programs runs a variety of programs designed to help participants learn valuable and comprehensive knowledge of the natural world through experiential activities, story telling and the application of ancient wilderness skills and bush craft. They also help implement land stewardship projects and write/approve Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) plans.

Check out this cool video from the founder and main mentor, Chris Gilmour.

Earth Mentoring Programs are excite to offer the 3rd annual March Break Nature Retreat!

This retreat will offer you a chance to rejuvenate in nature’s beauty, deepening your connection to, and understanding of, the natural world. We will be expanding our awareness & knowledge, while exploring some of the many uses of nature’s gifts. Come learn new skills to bring back to the classroom or integrate into your life outside of work.

Activities Include:
- Studying Wildlife through the Eye of a Tracker
- Snowshoeing and Camp Fires
- Basket and Container Making with Natural Materials
- Wilderness Awareness Games/Activities
- Story Telling
- Wilderness Crafts with Natural Materials
- Intro to Earth Based Mentoring (coyote mentoring)
- Good Food & Good Fun

When: March 15 – 18, 2011 (March Break)
Where: Wolf Den Bunkhouse, Oxtongue, ON, 8 min West of Algonquin Park. Each participant will sleep in a beautful log cabin.
Food: We will provide healthy, wholesome dinners.Participants bring & prepare their own lunch & breakfast in the Wolf Dens communal kitchen.
Kids/Youth – If you have children you wish to bring along, arrangements may be made for nature based day care during the program. Please inquire.
Price: $360/person – Includes 3 nights accommodations,3 dinners, course materials, snow shoes extra if required

Contact Chris for more information or to register!

Or click on any of the photos to go to the Earth Mentorship website

Tree Trivia & Stewardship Conference

2011-03-01T12:25:00.006-05:00

Globally, forests are host to 80 percent of our biodiversity.

Ten percent of the world's forests can be found right here in Canada.

And remember, the United Nations has declared 2011 the International Year of Forests.

photo: Greg Francis

Registration opens today for the 2011 Muskoka Stewardship Conference!

View the full agenda and register here

There will be speakers about the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program, wildlife topics, native species gardening, water quality, and more!

It is an excellent change to learn more about stewardship in Muskoka and network with like-minded folks.

Hope to see you there!

NEW Species at Risk booklet!

2011-02-22T14:43:00.010-05:00

The Muskoka Heritage Foundation is set to release the first in a series of five booklets. The subject of the first booklet is Species at Risk in Parry Sound-Muskoka. It gives information about specific actions we can take to help those species at risk in our area.

The booklets are unique in that they contain Muskoka-specific, action-oriented information. The project will enhance and preserve the environment through the encouragement of adopted stewardship topics. Topics include Forest management options, Shoreline and native plants, Wildlife habitat, Trail building, and Species at Risk. They will contain action-oriented tips and best practices for cottagers in Muskoka and elsewhere.

The Blanding's Turtle is a Threatened species in Parry Sound-Muskoka.

(Photo: Scott Gillingwater)

Pick up your copy of the Species at Risk booklet in March and join the Muskoka Heritage Foundation in promoting the responsible use, enjoyment and conservation of the Muskoka environment we all cherish.

Wood Duck Adventure

2011-02-14T10:14:00.021-05:00

Who lives here?

Introducing the Wood Duck!

(Aix sponsa)

{A male wood duck on the left and a female on the right}

photo credit: Randolph Femmer

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the Pileated Woodpecker and the importance of cavities. Wood ducks are one of the species that uses cavities made by pileated woodpeckers. However, wood ducks can also be induced to nest in artificial boxes.

Armed with this knowledge, an invitation from a landowner here in Muskoka, a cordless drill, a sharpie, and some wood shavings, a group of us headed out to see for ourselves if any nesting had taken place last spring on this property.

The incredible volunteers who accompanied me are none other than 3 of the Master Stewards from the Muskoka Stewardship Program. We were invited to this spectacular 100 acre property located in Muskoka to see if there had been any wood duck activity during the past year and prepare the boxes for this coming spring.

You see, wood ducks like to nest in cavities in wetlands because it makes it very difficult for predators to access their nests. These boxes are located in a 30 acre wetland. It's actually quite an amazing beaver pond. Normally inaccessible, the wood duck boxes had to be put up in winter and we needed the ice to be solid to change the material in the boxes for the coming spring.

Above: Paula unscrews the front of the box...you can see our shadows as we eagerly anticipate the contents of the first box!!

Female wood ducks often return to nest in the place where they were born. There is an increased chance they will use the boxes if they are not dirty from the previous year and also if the material inside is dry.

Our mission for the afternoon: clean out boxes, make observations on each one (amount of eggs inside, other animals that may have used it), and refill the boxes with new material. We also re-labelled the numbers on the 8 boxes from last year and assigned numbers to the 5 new boxes that were put up.

Inside each box the material is compacted down. There are often layers of broken shells and downy feathers. Notice the inside of the front piece that is sitting on the ground. The horizontal lines are carved in so the hatchlings can grab on to climb out before they fledge.

This box has quite a few shells and some feathers. In some of the boxes we could tell it was a wood duck because of the iridescent colour of the feathers.

A close up of the egg shell and some downy feathers.

Here is the crew, with our tools, in front of Box #5. Notice the oblong shape of the entry hole for the wood ducks. This shape is suited for them and is also big enough, but not too big. If you decide to put up boxes of your own, this is an important component. Also important is the forward slanted way they are affixed to the tree.

A beautiful day to get ready for spring and help the wood ducks have suitable nesting spots for when they return this spring. Perhaps we'll return next year to see how they did!

photo: Mike Sweet

Interested in building your own wood duck box?
Follow the same directions as the landowner whose property we visited!

Want to know more about wood ducks?
There are lots of websites:
Hinterland's Who's Who
House Construction Tips
Ducks Unlimited
The Wood Duck Society

Of Forests and Men

2011-02-11T08:49:00.005-05:00

International Year of Forests on my mind...

Yann Arthus-Bertrand was appointed by the United Nations to produce the official film for the International Year of Forests. This film was shown during a plenary session of the Ninth Session of United Nations Forum on Forests (24 January - 4 February 2011) in New York. With the voice of Edward Norton.

International Year of Forests will be the theme for this years' Muskoka Heritage Foundation Award at the Muskoka Arts and Crafts Spring Members' Show. The show runs at the Bracebridge Sportsplex from March 25-27, 2011.

Muskoka Stewardship Conference: Get Involved!

2011-02-09T13:15:00.004-05:00

Just Announced:

Muskoka Stewardship Conference

2011: Get Involved!

Click on the image of the poster for a bigger version

This promises to be an amazing day full of positive stewardship stories from landowners and scientists a like.

The goal is to learn from each other so we can each be more involved in the stewardship of our land and projects in our community.

Come out and share, learn and network with others!

Stay tuned for updates or visit www.muskokaheritage.org

Winter Visitor

2011-02-02T08:15:00.012-05:00

Pileated Woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatus

This woodpecker was pecking away in our yard when we got home the other day! We can see he has been working on a couple of the coniferous trees in our yard by the fresh wood chips on the snow.

It really is neat to see a pileated woodpecker. They are large birds (up to 47cm tall!) and are quite striking with their red tufts atop their heads and white and black markings around their eyes and neck.

I've posted before about the importance of cavity trees in our woodlots. Pileated woodpeckers require snags (standing dead trees) for habitat, like the white spruce below. All the needles and much of the bark have fallen off. There are two in a row that are similar and the woodpecker seems to like them both!

There are also often wood-boring insects who are feasting on the dead tree, which in turn make a tasty feast for the pileated woodpecker. By eating large numbers of these insects, pileated woodpeckers also help to control insect populations that can damage valuable trees- commercially important or otherwise.

Pileated woodpeckers excavate cavities in snags that can be used for nesting and roosting. They are usually long oval or rectangle shaped holes in the tree. I went out the next day to see the work of this particular bird:

Pileated woodpeckers often abandon the cavities they create. These abandoned cavities make high quality nesting and refuge habitat for other species like wood ducks and squirrels.

Keep your ears open for the tapping of a pileated woodpecker this winter. If you can find where it is, you have a good chance of catching it at work- and helping to keep the forest healthy.

RMR: Bear Tagging

2011-01-24T15:49:00.005-05:00

I just came accross this and can't resist sharing even though it is from March of 2009. It features some Muskokans who work in Algonquin Provincial Park- and Rick Mercer of course.

Funny and amazing!

Enjoy and stay warm this week!

Light Pollution: bad for our health and pocketbooks

2011-01-17T09:28:00.015-05:00

An excerpt from an article that was published in the Huntsville Forester on January 5th:

We're only a few weeks past the winter solstice, and daylight is still in short supply.At this darkest time of the year it seems appropriate to stop and contemplate the night and what it means to humans and nature....

Keep reading here

LEARN MORE!

Muskoka Heritage Foundation brochure: "Help Preserve Our Night Sky"
Muskoka Watershed Council technical bulletin: "Dark Sky Lighting"
Learn more about the Torrance Barrens, Dark Sky Reserve
Visit the International Dark Sky Association website

photos above are from IDA website

Canada's Interests in the Arctic

2011-01-10T11:24:00.005-05:00

Upcoming presentation – Canada’s interests in the Arctic

The talk will focus on the Law of the Sea Projects in the Arctic and Eastern Canada, which is gathering solid scientific data to support Canada’s claim to the extended continental shelf in the Arctic. This data will be forwarded to the United Nations by December 2013 – will determine how far Canada’s continental shelf extends in the seabed under the melting ice.

WHO: Julian Goodyear, director of the Law of the Sea Projects for Fisheries and Oceans Canada
WHEN: Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 7:30pm
WHERE: Nipissing University Muskoka Campus, Bracebridge

Reservations not necessary – first come, first serve.

No charge for event.
For more information call Arlie Freer at 645-4585

Do some reading before you go:

Canada's Arctic Foreign Policy Statement
or the full version here

For a different viewpoint try this article

There are also lots of books on this topic, including Arctic Front: Defending Canada in the Far North

2011: International Year of Forests

2011-01-01T11:42:00.004-05:00

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

Their website is a platform on which to celebrate the actions people take to sustainable manage the world’s forests.

Muskoka has beautiful forests- and some shining examples of sustainable management. In 2011, the blog will write often about sustainable forestry. Check back often!

What techniques are you using on your property to manage your forest or woodlot sustainably?

Stewardship Trivia

2010-12-27T18:53:00.003-05:00

Happy Holidays!

A little stewardship trivia as you gather with family and friends this season.

Can you spot the super canopy tree in this picture?

What is a super canopy tree?

It’s a living tree (usually a conifer) that is taller than the rest of the trees around it and sticks above the canopy.

Tall white and red pines and other conifers often tower above the canopy to form the super canopy layer. They provide nesting and resting places for birds, refuges for young bear cubs escaping predators and landmarks for songbirds. The ability of these individual super canopy trees to grow taller than the rest often indicates a higher quality seed. These trees are good to keep around for habitat reasons as well as growing more healthy trees.

Do you have a super canopy tree on your woodlot?

Read this Extension Note for how to manage for them

Lunar Eclipse Photos

2010-12-21T08:33:00.006-05:00

I stepped outside last night around 2am to have a look at the eclipse. It was cold out in Muskoka last night: -16! I've seen lunar eclipses before but this one was special since it fell on the same day as the winter solstice. There is a strange feeling that comes along with the moon, especially when it's full, don't you think?

the beginning of the eclipse

halfway there...

We were lucky to have a clear night in Muskoka!

I went inside to warm up for a bit and came back out around 2.45am to a red moon. I wish I had a better camera...the moon looked like it was popping out of the sky.

A bit blurry, but very dark red around 3am

On a stewardship side note, here are some links I thought you might find interesting:

Did anyone see any shooting stars?

Did you get some photos or videos?

Send them to me and I'll post them to the blog!

Total Lunar Eclipse Tonight!

2010-12-20T10:33:00.009-05:00

Let's hope for a clear night!

It's the winter solstice tonight and mother nature has a couple of bonuses in store!

Bundle up and head outside to catch a glimpse of the total lunar eclipse!

In Muskoka, it will happen early Tuesday morning around 1:45am. The moon should look entirely red an hour or so later.

No equipment needed; clear skies pending, it will be visible with the naked eye.

During a lunar eclipse, the Earth is exactly in line between the sun and the moon, blocking the sun's light from bouncing off the moon.

An added bonus: A minor meteor shower could send a few shooting stars across the sky during the height of the moon cover!

Want to know more?
Read this Toronto Star Article

Interested in the science?
Check our this site dedicated to Lunar Eclipses for Beginners

Come back tomorrow and let me know what you saw!
Leave a comment or email me a photo and I'll post it to the blog.
Happy gazing!

Cool things that happen when the temperature drops!

2010-12-14T09:43:00.015-05:00

photo courtesy of www.cottageblog.ca

The last couple of days have indeed been not only cool, but downright cold, here in Muskoka. The lakes are beginning to freeze, snow is piling up and while we're bundling up to stay warm, the trees and animals are making their own adjustments for the frigid temperatures.

The sap of evergreen acts like an anti-freeze allowing their needles to survive throughout the long winter season. The nice smell when you crush the needles is the oil beneath their surface that allows them to survive. The needles also have a think wax coating allowing moisture to stay in.

photo courtesy of www.cottageblog.ca

The subnivean layer is the space between the warmer ground and the snow where small animals are active throughout the winter. The layer is used for both warmth and shelter, but also an area to hide from predators. At -40 outside the subnivean layer can be as warm as -4

Chipmunks aren't able to build up a think fat layer for hibernation, so instead they take long naps and wake up periodically for a snack from the storage of nuts they collected over the fall.

Snowshoe hares and ptarmigans turn white allowing them to camouflage in the snow.

Animals create many trail systems in the winter (like the deer trail above), connecting water, food and home locations. The trails allow for greater conservation of energy (which is key in the winter!). Moose and deer make trails based on shortest distance, as a result of their long narrow legs making traveling difficult in snow. Smaller animals on the other hand such as hares, skunks, and squirrels and even foxes make trails for both energy conservation and for survival; allowing them to swiftly escape their predators.

What COOL things are happening where you are??

I would love to hear from you: leave a comment below.

Inspiration: 3 Generations of Stewardship

2010-12-08T10:16:00.007-05:00

Good land stewardship runs deep in the Dutton family- and that of his wife, Barbara Dutton (née Longhurst). Her family was among the first settlers in the Windermere area, circa 1865, where they established a farm. A drive through the Windermere area tells stories of long established farmed meadowlands mixed in with the typical Muskoka lakes, pines, and granite.

The Longhurst family continues to farm in the Windermere area, but the Duttons took a different approach to land stewardship. “Each generation has their own part to play in the stewardship of our land. But the underlying set of values stays the same and is transferred from one generation on to the next” says John Dutton.

Ready to retire, the Duttons moved to Barbara’s grandmothers’ house near Windermere that was built in 1932. They eventually ran a Bed & Breakfast for eleven years. For their part, they envisioned continuing with Barbara’s family’s vision to steward the land. While not farmers, the values that were passed on through her family gave them a keen interest in private land stewardship.

The Duttons first became involved in the Stewardship Program in 1994. “It was important to us to be participants in the Muskoka Stewardship Program so we could preserve our property for our children. Handing the property down through each generation establishes a sense of inherent value in our family” says John Dutton.

Running the Bed & Breakfast allowed guests to experience the diverse habitat types, flora and fauna found on the Dutton’s 31 acre parcel of land. It also motivated the Duttons to focus on the stewardship of their land to enhance and preserve the natural systems that exist there.

During the first visit from the Muskoka Stewardship Program in 1994, the Duttons identified several initiatives that were important to them in their stewardship plan. These included maintaining existing and creating new trails, trail interpretive signs, learning more about the natural features of their property, continuing to extract small amounts of timber, and haying a small field.

Chris Near, a volunteer Master Steward, visited the Dutton property this summer as part of the new Stewardship Program: “When I met with the Duttons and walked their property I quickly became aware of their past efforts and future potential as stewards of their land.” Since the 1990s, John Dutton has expanded the trail system in order to gain better accessibility of the property and to appreciate the birds, wildlife, and unique land formations of the property.

One of the trails leads to a 3-acre portion of the property that is harvested for grain every couple of years. The trail system and this field are recognitions of Barbara’s family farming roots in the area and a way for John’s son and grandson to become involved in the stewardship of the property. Passing the land down to his son and grandson “creates a Trust for the family. They help with maintaining the property and learn about it and it becomes important to them” says John Dutton. Master Steward, Chris Near agrees and adds that “the Dutton’s land will also benefit from the knowledge that one generation is passing on to the next.”

The values of conservation and preservation are echoed by Jonathan (son) and Michael (grandson); the generations who are growing up on the land and envisioning their own ideas for stewardship. Michael is interested in maintaining the trail system and planting some trees. Although he admits it is hard to articulate, he values the strong family connection that he feels when visiting his grandparent’s property: “It is calming and peaceful to visit there, and I feel at home there.”

Jonathan notes that his parents have “passed on an active interest in the property. They have researched and learned so much about wildlife, for example, and shared that information and those stories with their kids.”

There is a long history of stewardship being passed on on this land. For John, Barbara and their family, the stewardship of their land has changed “how we value Muskoka as a whole. One leads into the other; the more we appreciate our 31 acres, the more we appreciate Muskoka” says John Dutton. For them, the family connection has given them a sense of how wonderful it is to have natural places that they can enjoy and steward.

Many landowners who participate in the Muskoka Stewardship program reflect on the importance of conservation on private land. John Dutton thinks “it is symbolic of our values. We want to preserve our property in a natural setting for generations to come.” Certainly, these are sentiments are representative of how many landowners in Muskoka feel about the region and their special piece of it.

The Dutton family has made a voluntary commitment to protect the rich and valuable natural heritage of their land by becoming part of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation’s Stewardship Program. The Foundation is helping them and many others to be better caretakers of the natural features that make Muskoka so special. If you and your family are interested in stewardship of your special piece of Muskoka, contact me.

The Muskoka Stewardship program is supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Considering Logging? Hiring a Qualified Logger

2010-12-03T12:09:00.006-05:00

I wrote last week about researching, planning, and exploring your property before commiting to logging- or a logger.

Today, I noticed on the Ontario Forestry Association website a new resource they have developed called Hiring a Qualified Logger- it's a matter of doing your homework!

It includes:

Questions you may want to ask when hiring a logger
Questions to ask when checking references
Additional Tips

Check it out and Good Luck!

Christmas Gift Ideas

2010-11-29T11:19:00.020-05:00

Need a stocking stuffer or gift idea?

Check out these gifts in support of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation.
Affordable too! $20 or less

Tea Towels

Back by popular demand: Muskoka Heritage Foundation tea-towels. These fly off the shelves because of their high quality and unique designs. A new design just arrived (bottom)! $17 each.

DVD: History of Muskoka

Life on the Edge: a DVD about the history of the Muskoka region. From the Anishinabek, to the European settlers, to the first tourists. This 2 hour documentary explores Muskoka's history through interviews with historians, photgraphs and re-enactments. An amazing stocking stuffer- only $20. Watch the trailer!

Book: On the Living Edge

On the Living Edge: offers a host of ideas on waterfront living including help with septic system health, native plantings and shoreline wildlife, as well as tips for purchasing and building on shoreline properties. We are offering it for $20.00 including tax!! A great bargain and a perfect gift for your cottaging friends and family.

Book: Old Muskoka

Old Muskoka tells the stories of the first cottagers in Muskoka in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Exceptional photographs and rich history describe the area, grand cottages and times spent on the lakes in Muskoka.

Interested in supporting our work directly?

Become a member!

Or donate on behalf of your family and friends!

Only $50 for the year. Contact us!

Considering logging? Read this first!

2010-11-23T14:31:00.025-05:00

Have you been offered money from a logger to harvest your woodlot?

Interested but think there is a better way?
There is!

It requires researching sound advice to make the best decisions possible to protect the health and integrity of your woodlot.

Woodlot owners harvest trees for many reasons: to generate income, produce lumber or firewood for your own use, create recreational trails for skiing, hiking, or hunting, improve wildlife habitat, or to maintain the health of your forest.

These reasons are not mutually exclusive.

Whatever your reason, there are many factors to consider first.

Do Some Research

The choice of a silvicultural system depends on characteristics unique to each woodlot. The book "A Landowners Guide to Careful Logging" provides landowners with sound advice as they make decisions to protect the health and integrity of their woodlots, while maximizing financial returns. Download it, or pick up a free copy at MHF.

In addition to a silvicultural system that is appropriate for your woodlot, a reputable consultant and/or logger is a must. They ensure that logging operations are conducted accordance with good forestry practices and that other values in the woodlot are protected and maintained. This guide also has more information about this selection process. Contact me for a list of loggers in Muskoka.

Make A Plan

Download or pick up a copy of "A Guide the Stewardship Planning for Natural Areas". Fill in the blanks on the worksheets to make a personalized plan for your woodlot. I have these books at the MHF office and they're free! Also, see the upcoming December issue of the MHF newsletter, the Steward, for an article about planning for your stewardship activities.

Learn, Read, Explore!

Access resources: do some winter reading.

Attend workshops: learn from others and the experts

Explore your property: what wildlife lives there? when and where is it wet, dry? what kinds of trees? what do you use it for?

Consider becoming a landowner participant in the Stewardship Program.

I'd love to chat with you about how the program can help you! Contact me today.

Forestry Workshop

2010-11-15T11:15:00.006-05:00

The Ontario Forestry Association, in partnership with the District Municipality of Muskoka, is offering a landowner workshop in the Muskoka area.

This informative workshop will provide you with tips and tools to help protect trees in your woodlot from disease, insects and other natural threats. The workshop will also provide landowners with information on how to manage a forest harvest, contracts and oversight, planning, managing expectations and informed decision making. Information will provided on the Managed Forest Tax Incentive.

When: Saturday November 27th, 2010

Time: 10am - 2pm (Classroom and field trip)

Where: Macaulay Public School, Bracebridge ON

Lunch will be provided

Pre-Registration Required!

Contact the Ontario Forest Association

info@oforest.ca 1-800-387-0790 www.oforest.ca

Interested in some prep reading for the workshop?

Check out these articles about Forest and Ecosytem Health on the Muskoka Watershed Council website

The OFA has an article about the Value of Our Forests

On my shelf: The Practical Naturalist

2010-11-03T10:20:00.008-04:00

Last week, Liann Bobechko, author of Cottage Life's "Cottage Kids" blog wrote about how much she is loving the book "The Practical Naturalist". Read her entry here.

The more we understand about the natural systems where we live, the better actions we can take to protect and conserve Muskoka's resources.

One of the reasons the stewardship program exists is to encourage good stewardship of Muskoka's private lands. Above, landowners from the program receive their gatepost sign this summer.

But what is stewardship?

Stewardship means taking good care of our land and water. It requires sound planning and informed choices based on good information.

Take some time this winter to do some planning over the coming months so that come spring you are ready to take action on your land, shoreline, and garden. More on this topic in a upcoming post...stay tuned!

In Stewardship,

Rebecca

Local Food Movement

2010-11-02T14:02:00.008-04:00

Fall is a time for harvest!

But with the frost and cold weather setting in- and even *gulp*- snow, the harvest is winding down. Fortunately, there are ways to continue enjoying the delicious fresh foods from the summer and fall.

Like this Canning & Preserving workshop:

Offered by Savour Muskoka

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Mark O'Mara Clubhouse @ Delta Grandview

1-4pm

For details go here

Savour Muskoka promotes local food. Like I wrote about it a past post, eating locally is important because:

fresher food
better quality food
food travels less distance
less chemicals in our food and on the land on which it was grown
supports the local economy

My favourite:

connects us with our food source and the land

Are these things important to you too?

There is another workshop you should know about:

Local Food Development: brainstorming session

Saturday November 20, 2010

Muskoka Delta Grandview Resort

7-9pm

For more information, go here

Interested in learning more about the local food movement?

If you are in Muskoka and this topic peaks your interest (after all, we all have to eat!), I encourage you to attend the brainstorming session.

You can also read more in books like these:

And checking out websites like these:

100milediet.org

Food and Farming Canada

Community Supported Agriculture

Garden Plots in Huntsville

See you at the workshops!

A Valuable Resource: Extension Notes

2010-10-28T14:56:00.010-04:00

Looking for information for your next project on your land?

Want to make sure you are doing the right things?

Extension Notes can help!

Extension Notes are user-friendly fact-sheets on a variety of resource management topics including, agroforestry, financial aspects, forests, insects and pests, water, wetlands & wildlife.

Read online or download to print!

PDF fact sheets on topics such as:

Do you have a healthy woodlot?
Conserving the Forest Interior: A Threatened Wildlife Habitat
Promoting a Healthy Forest Through Tree Marking
Backyard Maple Syrup Production
Preserving and Restoring Natural Shorelines
Improving Fish Habitat
Cavity Trees are Refuges for Wildlife

Lke them so much you want hard copies of your own?

The Landowners Resource Centre is the place to go.

Individual copies to a maximum of 5 are FREE
Subsequent copies are $1 each
A compilation of all Extension Notes in a binder are $80

Viewing the Extension Notes requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in.

Get it here:

Co-existing with Wildlife

2010-10-19T12:09:00.013-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I attended a Stewardship Series workshop called "Wildlife in Your Woodlot- Challenges of Co-existing". It was hosted by the Stewardship Councils in Haliburton Highlands, Parry Sound-Muskoka, and Bancroft Area.

The workshop provided some great insights into understanding the habits of wolves, bears, and deer. Experts at the workshops told us that by better understanding their habits, we can avoid conflict and live in a way that is healthier for us all.

Black Bears:

50% of human-bear conflicts are due to improperly stored garbage
10% of human-bear conflicts are due to bird feeders

That means you can eliminate 60% of what attracts bears simply by storing your garbage properly and only having bird feeders out from November through March (when the bears are hibernating).

If you take away the food, you take away the bears.

Read more "Bear Wise" tips here and here

Wolves & Coyotes

There are 3 different types of wild canids in Ontario:

Grey wolf (canis lupus)- typically of northern Ontario
Eastern wolf (canis lycaon)- from Timmins south to Algonquin Park
Eastern coyoye (canis latrans)- southern, central, and eastern Ontario

Having wolves and coyotes in our area is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem.

Wolves and coyotes tend to ignore the areas where people live. You are more liekly to hear one than see one. Both wolves and coyotes howl at night to boradcast occupancy of their territory and keep each other informed of each other's locations while hunting or traveling alone.

Wolves and coyotes very rarely attack humans. Here are some things you can do to prevent problems:

Do not approach or feed wolves or coyotes. Feeding them makes them less fearful of humans and habituates them to food provided by humans.
Properly store and maintain garbage containters. Food attracts rodents and rodents attract coyotes.
Never attempt to "tame" a coyote or wolf.

Read more about wolves and coyotes here and here

Deer

Deer- and all animals for that matter- are all looking for the same things: food, shelter, water, and space. Their behaviours are motivated by these factors alone.

While summer is a time of plenty for deer in Muskoka (as any gardener here can tell you!), winter is hard for them. The browse is of low quality and they must contend with the cold weather and deep snow. To help them cope, deer store fat reserves for about 3 moths. They also tend to stay in conifer covered areas in winter where the snow is not as deep and the air is (a tiny bit) warmer.

Some Muskokans enjoy feeding deer but this can cause problems like dependance (if you go away and they no longer have that food source) and life threatning digestive diseases. The corn is also low in nutritional value and generally not good for them. Feeding deer also generally brings them closer to roadways.

A good brochure about co-existing with deer can be dowloaded here

Another good resource:

The living by water project

Muskoka Heritage Trust has exciting news about Dyer Memorial

2010-10-14T13:27:00.017-04:00

You are invited to a special reception to hear some news about the Dyer Memorial!

Join us!

Friday, October 15th, 2010

5:30pm

At Partners Hall, Algonquin Theatre

37 Main Street West

Huntsville, Ontario

Refreshments will be served

Cash Bar

How did the Muskoka Heritage Trust acquire the Dyer Memorial?

The Muskoka Heritage Trust was established in 1996 by the Muskoka Heritage Foundation to preserve Muskoka's heritage assets, including significant natural lands and built heritage. The ongoing protection of the Dyer Memorial property therefore fits within the Trust’s mandate. Since early 2009, the Trust has been negotiating with the Dyer trustees about assuming responsibility for the property.

What will happen now?

The monument, stairs and walkways will be repaired in the fall of 2010. In 2011, the area surrounding the monument will be planted with native species, with the assistance of the Natural Heritage Committee of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation.

Will the Dyer Memorial Monument Site be open to the public?

It will be open to the public, from dawn to dusk. Please take only photos and leave only footprints.

Why is it important to protect lands in trust?

The preservation of natural areas and built heritage helps to maintain the character of Muskoka. The protection of ecologically significant land also protects:

large natural areas, or an area that connects two natural areas and helps combat fragmentation of habitat, which threatens species, particularly those with large territories
shoreline which also protects the lake’s water quality
wetlands which is habitat required by many species, including threatened species like the Blandings turtle
areas of high biodiversity, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change

What we do:

Protect Muskoka’s biodiversity through land protection
Monitor and manage the land to ensure it remains in a natural state
Encourage good land stewardship
Retain expert volunteers who assess ecological values of land.
Provide conservation options for landowners
Assist landowners in accessing tax benefits for donation of ecologically significant land

Hope to see you at the announcement!!

Enjoy Muskoka this Weekend

2010-10-08T12:52:00.010-04:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

With promises of fantastic weather this weekend, there is no better time to get out and enjoy Muskoka.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Take a Hike!

{This photo is taken from the lookout at Huckleberry Rock near Milford Bay with thanks from http://www.cottageblog.ca/}

There is hardly a more beautiful way of enjoying the spectacular fall colours, the crunch of the leaves and crisp air. The Muskoka Trails Council has maps/trail guides for most trails in Muskoka. Check out last week's blog post to find out how the leaves change colour.

2. Gather together

No doubt families and friends will gather to celebrate and to eat together this weekend. Help out in the kitchen by trying one of Cottage Life's delicious recipes. Don't forget to try and eat locally as much as possible. We have some delicious food that comes from close by.

Squash, pumpkins and gourds abound at Brooklands Farm
The most delicious cranberries at Johnston's in Bala. Don't forget the cranberry festival next weekend

This shot also from www.cottageblog.ca

3. Clean out the Cottage

Closing up the cottage for the winter? Don't forget to empty the cupboards and donate all non-perishable food items to the local Manna Food Bank in Bracebridge.

4. Stargaze

Clear nights this week have meant amazing stargazing in Muskoka. The big dipper is sitting low in the sky- can you find it? The Anishinabe people believe that the big dipper shape is actually a fisher. There is an accompanying story called "how the fisher went to skyland". Read it here

5. Rake leaves

Put away the leaf blow and clear the paths or your yard with the rake. It's good exercise, environmentally friendly and offers a chance to listen to the sounds of the outdoors. If there are kids, check out these fun ways to have fun with leaves. If you compost, add some of the leaves to your compost pile. If you have paths, clear the leaves from the path and toss them into the forest. In both cases the leaves offer superb nutrients for the soil.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Don't forget to vote on your favourite display of fall colour in Muskoka this year. The poll is at the top of the blog on the right.

Autumn Colour

2010-09-28T13:52:00.016-04:00

Ever wonder why the leaves change colours every fall?

Myths of leaf colour change:

It does not occur because of frost. But, frost can disrupt the speed at which the leaves turn and halt colour transformation. Frost call kill the leaf and turn it brown.

Photo thanks to www.cottageblog.ca

Spring & Summer: trees are growing and turning green.

Fall: growth slows because of moisture levels, temperature, amount of stored energy in the roots, genetics. Systems begin to shut down as the tree prepares for winter dormancy

September 23rd (autumnal equinox): Days and nights are of equal length and thereafter the days are shorter and shorter. The sun's rays also become less direct and the air is cooler.

Autumn colour is a phenomenon that takes place within the leaves of a tree. Here's what happens:

The lifelines between the leaves and the tree become blocked and the production of chlorophyll stops. The existing chlorophyll in the leaves slowly disappears as it is destroyed by sunlight.
Throughout the summer, the green chlorophyll has been dormant, blocking out the other pigments, thus giving the leaves their green colour. Once the production of chlorophyll is halted, the leaves begin to show their true colours.
As chlorophyll production ceases, other pigments become more dominant. Carotin helps with the orange colours and xanthrophyll is the yellow pigment.
The leaves continue to change colour and reach their peak until the time just before the leaves fall. At the location where the leaf stem joins the branch of the tree, there is a separation layer. This is a layer of cells which gradually weaken, eventually causing the leaf to break off and fall.

Quick facts of leaf change:

Colour change occurs on broad-leaved trees such as maple, oak, ash, and birch.
These trees are also called "hardwoods" because most of them have wood which is quite hard, and "deciduous" because their leaves are shed each autumn.
Trees that stay green all winter are "evergreen" or "coniferous" trees such as pine, spruce, hemlock, balsam, and cedar.
Shedding their leaves actually protects the tree during winter. The leaves don't give off water (or transpire) when they are not on the tree, thus saving the tree from having the replace that water to keep the leaf alive.

Where in Muskoka is your favourite display of colour this year?

Cast your vote on the right or leave a comment!

Well Aware- a limited number of visits left for 2010

2010-09-21T13:20:00.011-04:00

Here in Muskoka the majority of home owners depend on their water wells to supply their home with water for drinking and everyday use. For those who depend on a well the Muskoka Heritage Foundation offers the Well Aware program.

The main purpose of the Well Aware Program is to educate private well owners on best management practices and encourage an annual self inspection of their water wells. This is to insure the home has safe drinking water and to protect our ground water resource.

Although the water well is the principle target of the Well Aware visit, ground water connections between the property's septic system and any nearby bodies of water (i.e. lake/river) are addressed and discussed. Another topic discussed during the Well Aware visit is testing of the homes well water for bacteria and nitrates.

Water well testing is a free service offered to private well owners though the Ministry of Health. Best management practices recommend testing your well water a minimum of three times a year. Most often the homes well water is tested once a year and in most cases the tested water comes back free of bacteria. However, water tested at different times of the year can receive dramatically different results. Testing your water in Spring (after snowmelt) again in the summer months, then after a heavy rain in the autumn will give you a better indication of the changes that occur in your well throughout the year.

Ground water can also change from nearby land uses. Assuming the water in your well is free from harmful bacteria because it has been in the past is not always correct. Instead routinely testing your water before and after the homes filtration system a minimum of three times a year, continuously year after year will insure that you’re well aware the water that you and your family are using is safe.

Water testing bottles can be picked up at your local Ministry of Health Office, for locations of your local Ministry of Health Office click here.

For sampling procedure and more information on the type of bacteria your water sample is being tested for click here.

Contact Rebecca Francis at the Muskoka Heritage Foundation to book your Well Aware visit

"Ecoholic" author Adria Vasil speaking in Hunstville

2010-09-16T09:19:00.009-04:00

Adria Vasil, bestselling author of 'Ecoholic', is coming to Huntsville!

Settle in for an entertaining and informative evening at the Algonquin Theatre.

Friday, September 17, 2010

7:30pm

$20/person

Most of what I talk about on the blog centres around the environmental stewardship of what is outside our homes. But there are also plenty of ways to contribute to a healthy natural world through the ways we live inside our homes. From the products we use to clean to the clothes we buy to the energy we use in our homes.

Vasil will talk about how people can easily and inexpensively green and detoxify their homes, as well as sharing tricks for saving money on utility bills.

Vasil said her humour-filled presentations are usually 45 minutes long and are followed by a 20- to 30-minute question period. She said she encourages people to come with questions for her, regardless of how specific they are, and she will provide them with straightforward answers.

Look for the article about the talk from CottageCountryNow

For tickets: visit the Algonquin Theatre website to buy online, or call: 705-789-4975

GeoCache Bash!

2010-09-07T09:22:00.015-04:00

The 1st Annual Muskoka GeoCache Bash is September 25th!

Registration & pledge forms are here

When: Saturday, September 25th, 2010

Where: Kerr Park, Bracebridge
Registration: 9am

Read the above article from the September 3rd edition of the Weekender (pg.22)

Watch the TVcogeco clip!

Visit us on Facebook

Read about GeoCaching in the Globe and Mail

Stewardship Series: Upcoming Workshops

2010-09-02T08:20:00.018-04:00

As a landowner, you play a special role in maintaining the health of our province’s ecosystems. Land Stewardship is taking responsibility for our actions on our lands and waters; actions which directly influence land values for ourselves, our children and future generations. Our continued enjoyment of these values will require a better understanding of the natural systems on the land which supports them.

The Stewardship Series are workshops designed for anyone planning and conducting work projects on private lands. Participants will gain the knowledge and skills required to practice good land conservation through on the land investigations, resource sharing and networking with land stewardship experts.

Topics & Dates:

Management Options for your Woodlot: Friday, September 10, 2010

Wildlife in your Woodlot- Challenges of Co-existing: Friday, October 15, 2010
Maple Syrup- Operations & Opportunities: Friday, February 25, 2011

Workshops run from 9am-3pm
Cost: $25/person/day: includes lunch
rain or shine

See the brochure for more information.

Stewards of the land

2010-08-24T11:22:00.010-04:00

Did you catch this article in the August 12th edition of the Muskokan?

I will update this post with a link to the article when it becomes available.

Interested in having a Master Steward out to your property?

Send me an email!

Find out how in the 'Contact Us' section.

A beautiful beaver pond

2010-08-19T13:56:00.000-04:00

I wanted to continue with the post from last week and show you some pictures from a recent Stewardship Program visit. These landowners are enthusiastic about what they are learing from the active beavers on their property.

Added benefit of letting nature do its' thing: a lot of other wildlife that uses this area! The owners love sitting in the gazebo by the pond at dusk watching all the activities. They are inspired by watching the pond and the wildlife it attracts. They have seen deer being chased by coyotes then seen the coyotes playing at the side of the property. In the winter their observations include a moose and her calf on the pond.

It just goes to show the different approaches that can be taken on different properties. A perceived problem can actually be a fantastic learning opportunity- and it is beautiful!

How do you enjoy watching fauna on your property?