Love Your Lake

The District is excited to be involved in the Love Your Lake program, developed by Watersheds Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Federation and funded by CWF, the Rogers Foundation, and the McLean Foundation.

Shorelines are some of the most ecologically productive places on Earth. They support plants, microorganisms, insects, amphibians, birds, mammals and fish. The first 10 to 15 metres of land surrounding lakes and rivers is responsible for 90% of lake life born, raised and fed in these areas. In addition, these areas are up to 500% more diverse than other areas upland from lakes and rivers.

As a shoreline property owner, YOUR influences can have a huge impact on this delicate interface. But how do you know if your shoreline is healthy? What actions can you take to maintain or improve the health of your waterfront area?

The Love Your Lake Program - What is it?

The Love Your Lake program assesses the health of your lake and encourages lakefront residents to take stewardship action.

Love Your Lake provides resources and training to local organizations, which enables them to deliver engaging and effective programs to help landowners protect and restore their shorelines, benefitting their property and improving the health of their lake and wildlife habitat.

Each waterfront property owner on the lake will receive a property-specific report that includes an assessment of the waterfront area as well as detailed actions that the property owner can take to protect this valuable habitat.

Muskoka Watershed Council was the delivery agent for the Love Your Lake program in Muskoka since the program started in 2013. In 2025, the District of Muskoka took over delivery of the program. But we can't do it alone!

DMM works with lake associations to carry out the program. We rely on lake associations to provide the one-on-one contact with their members that is the cornerstone of the program. Is your lake interested in participating? Is your lake association able to provide volunteers to assist with contact and outreach activities? If yes, then please contact Rebecca Willison, Watershed Program Coordinator, to learn more about the Love Your Lake program!

Lakes Assessed in Muskoka