Muskoka Watershed Council Report Card out July 19

BRACEBRIDGE — The Muskoka Watershed Council is “excited to announce the release of the 2018 Muskoka Watershed (MWC) Report Card” on July 19.

The new, simpler guide is the fifth since 2004.

And it’s an impor

This marks the fifth time MWC has reported on the health of our local watershed since the first was released in 2004, they say in a release this week.

The report is a science-based evaluation of the health of our watershed using a variety of environmental health and threat indicators.

Health indicators include phosphorus and calcium concentrations in lakes, benthic macroinvertebrates, and interior forest habitat.

Threat indicators include climate change, invasive species, fragmentation, and species at risk.

Together, these indicators provide a “snapshot” of watershed health and serve to increase our understanding of the watershed where we live, work, and play, they say in the release.

Each of Muskoka’s 19 subwatersheds will be graded as ‘not stressed’, ‘vulnerable’ or ‘stressed’ for each indicator.

This subwatershed scale allows us to better understand how our individual activities improve or degrade the environment in our corner of Muskoka. Some indicators even provide data down to the lake level!

There are many new features incorporated into the 2018 Muskoka Watershed Report Card, including a strong online interactive multimedia component and interesting, easy to understand infographics.

The new Report Card will also be more accessible, both online and at various venues across Muskoka, including the new Watershed Wonders exhibit at the Muskoka Discovery Centre.

Find out how healthy your watershed is.

Check out the 2018 Muskoka Watershed Report Card beginning July 19 at www.muskokawatershed.org.

For more information, contact Cassie Weston, Watershed Health Outreach Intern, Muskoka Watershed Council at [email protected] Or call her at 705-645-2100 x332