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Muskoka is home to a wide variety of plants, animals and other forms of life. Our forests, lakes, rivers and wetlands provide important habitats for many species.
This variety of life is called biodiversity. Across the world, biodiversity is rapidly declining mainly because human activity is changing nature faster than many species can adapt. Habitat loss and fragmentation (the division of large, continuous natural ecosystems into smaller, isolated, and unconnected patches), climate change, pollution, and invasive species are some of the factors that affect biodiversity.
Effective management of natural resources, conservation efforts, and climate change mitigation are necessary to ensure ecosystems are healthy and resilient to these pressures.
Community Organizations Making a Difference
Muskoka is fortunate to have many community-based organizations doing their part to support resilient ecosystems in varied ways, including:
The Muskoka Conservancy works with the community to preserve and protect natural areas across Muskoka. It offers nature hikes and other learning opportunities throughout the year to help residents learn more about Muskoka’s ecosystem.
As of February 2026, the Conservancy has the following under its protection:
- 62 Properties
- 42 Nature Reserves
- 20 Conservation Easements
- More than 6,700 acres of land
- More than 84,800 feet of shoreline and other areas along water
- More than 1,128 acres of wetlands
This past spring, The District’s Community Climate Initiatives Coordinator, Lauren Saville, held an Earth Day hike at the Conservancy’s Upjohn Nature Reserve in Bracebridge. The event was well attended and gave community members a chance to learn more about Muskoka’s natural environment. The Conservancy hopes to make it an annual event.
The Muskoka Watershed Council (MWC) provides advice to municipal governments, decision-makers and to the public on ways to protect and restore the Muskoka Watershed.
MWC also publishes a Watershed Report Card which shares information about the health of the watershed and how climate change is affecting it.
The organization hosts public engagement events, including the Muskoka Summit for the Environment and community-based “fireside chats.” These events educate and inform the community about watershed issues and why it is important to protect our lakes, rivers and surrounding lands.
Friends of the Muskoka Watershed (FoMW) usesscience-based solutions, community outreach and policy engagement to help protect Muskoka’s ecosystems.
Recent projects have focused on reducing the amount of road salt entering the environment. Through its SALTY Muskoka program, FoMW shares information and tips to help residents use less salt on roads, driveways and sidewalks during the winter.
FoMW is also workingon improvingforest resilience. Muskoka soils are naturally lower in calcium and other nutrients relative to southern Ontario. Widespread acid rain in the mid-to-late 1900s added to this problem by further decreasing soil calcium. Spreading fireplace ash around the base of trees can increase calcium absorption and helps trees become stronger to withstand extreme weather like ice and thunderstorms. FoMW is conducting a pilot study in the forests around Camp Big Canoe in Bracebridge, with financial support from the federal government, to better understand how an ash program might protect Muskoka forests.
Residents with wood-burning fireplaces can contribute to the program by bringing their ash to events held by Friends of the Muskoka Watershed or to the Rosewarne landfill.
Climate Action Muskoka (CAM) works with community members to take action on climate change.
Climate change is affecting Muskoka’s ecosystems, through more frequent and severe storms, flooding and forest fires, all of which make it more difficult for animals and plants to survive and thrive.
CAM works directly with community members to encourage reducing carbon emissions through efforts such as home and vehicle electrification and by participating in CAM’s community carbon challenge.
Everyone Has a Role to Play
Protecting Muskoka’s natural environment is a shared effort. Local organizations are doing important work to protect our forests, lakes, wetlands and wildlife, and community volunteers are an important part of the work.
You might think you need a background in science or the environment to get involved, but that’s not the case. These organizations need people with many different skills, interests and experiences.
There are many ways to help, from volunteering at an event or helping with community outreach to sharing your skills, learning about the local environment issues or simply taking part in programs and activities. A great place to start is the Love Muskoka Sustain Muskoka exhibit at the Muskoka Discovery Centre, where you can learn all about actions to take to make Muskoka more sustainable for generations to come.
You don’t have to be a scientist to make a difference!
Visit the organizations’ websites to learn more about their programs, events, and volunteer opportunities. Whether you have a few hours to give or want to become more involved, there is a way for everyone to contribute.
Every action can help protect Muskoka’s natural environment for future generations.
Learn More
Muskoka Conservancy: Learn about protected natural areas, upcoming hikes, events and ways to get involved.
https://www.muskokaconservancy.org/
Muskoka Watershed Council: Find watershed information, the latest Watershed Report Card, upcoming events and ways to learn about Muskoka’s lakes and environment. https://www.muskokawatershed.org/about-us
Friends of the Muskoka Watershed: Learn about SALTY Muskoka, forest health projects, ash collection and other ways to help protect Muskoka’s watershed.
https://fotmw.org/
Climate Action Muskoka: Find information and resources to help reduce carbon emissions and take action on climate change in Muskoka.
https://www.climateactionmuskoka.org/
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