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How does Muskoka’s changing climate make you feel?
Worried about wildfires, floods, snowstorms or the future of our lakes and forests? Feeling unsure where to start, or frustrated that your efforts might not be good enough? You’re not alone, and here’s the good news: every small action you take matters. By making conscious choices at home and in your community, you can protect Muskoka’s natural beauty and leave a lasting impact for our younger generations to thrive.
Meet the Climate Hero Program
The Climate Hero program makes it easy to turn concern into action. It helps Muskoka residents adopt simple, practical steps that reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions at home and in the community.
What do GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS MEAN?
These are gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, that get released when we drive cars, heat our homes, or use electricity. They trap heat in the atmosphere, which warms the planet and changes our climate.
Meet Cheryl Francis: A Gold-Level Climate Hero
Cheryl, President of the Echo Lake Association, joined the program to experience it for herself before sharing it with her community. She says the program provides “concrete steps people can take to help and see the positive impact of their actions in real time.”
Highlights from Cheryl's experience:
- Completing one report can earn all three levels – Bronze, Silver, and Gold – all at once!
- Actions range from reducing food waste, completing energy-saving retrofits, creating pollinator gardens, or joining community cleanups. Whether you volunteer your time or contribute financially, every action helps.
- Cherly’s favourite Silver - level action was planting a pollinator garden. She loved seeing the wildlife and insects coming to her garden, feeding on the nectar and knowing she is making a positive impact.
- She sees the Climate Hero program as having a positive impact on the Cottager Community – they can take these lessons and implement them at their cottage and outside of Muskoka too.
- She’s especially invested in seeing the value in programs like these for youth and influencing young people to live more sustainably as they enter adulthood.
While the future can seem bleak at times, especially in the face of a warming climate and its impacts like forest fires and flooding, Cherly has hope for the future and that “our environment is taken more seriously when we put environmental decisions over corporate or developmental interests”.
Why Take Action?
The climate challenge can feel overwhelming but start with small actions. Each small action adds to a bigger impact and purpose which helps our environment, our communities, and future generations. As Cheryl notes, hope comes from seeing environmental decisions prioritized over short-term corporate or development interests.
Join Our Community of Climate Heroes across Muskoka Today!
Become a Climate Hero in three simple steps:
- Download the Clime Hero guide, here Download the Climate Hero guide
- Choose which actions you want to take
- Report your completed actions and earn your Bronze, Silver and Gold badge
Everyone across Muskoka CAN make a difference. Together as a community, neighbours, parents, coworkers, and more, we can create a healthier, more sustainable environment we can all be proud of.
EnviroHub is the first stop to see all of the programs and initiatives our team has been working on.
Learn More:
Muskoka’s Climate Strategy | Floodplain Mapping | Integrated Watershed Management | Water Monitoring Programs
Interested in more opportunities to contribute?
Upcoming Events & Outreach and Education
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