Register now for the free hike on August 12 through the brilliant maples at Camp Big Canoe

Friends of the Muskoka Watershed (FOTMW) is hosting a free hike through their scientific study forest on Monday, August 12 at Camp Big Canoe in Bracebridge.

Those who attend will enjoy a short but beautiful hike (about 1.5 km) through the forests where residential wood ash from woodstoves and fireplaces has been restoring the vital nutrients in the trees, soil and even trickling into the watershed.

This successful research is leading the way to counter the negative impacts of decades of acid rain which greatly reduced calcium and other essential nutrients in the environment.

During the tour, those who attend will hear from the Trent University researchers who are monitoring and compiling the scientific data, as well as others who have been at the forefront of the FOTMW ASHMuskoka project.

***ED’s NOTE: I worked for the ASHMuskoka project for about a year and the work being done is amazing – I definitely recommend visiting the forest***

“We’ve made it free so more people are able  to learn about our work,” says FOTMW chair Lenore Inniss via media release.

Why Is This Important to You?

Muskoka’s lakes and forests are calcium deficient. It’s the impact of decades of acid rain  on our shallow soil on the Canadian Sheild. Wood ash, from fireplaces and woodstoves, is  about 25 to 30 percent calcium and often disposed of as garbage in the landfill.  

Instead, FOTMW has collected tons of ash from volunteers and working with Trent  University, studied the impact of adding it to forest soil. 

The results are in. Just one dose makes the trees healthier, more disease-resistant, able to  capture more carbon and we believe, able to pump more water to lessen the impact of  spring flooding. 

“Applied research of this type is extremely rewarding,” says Dr. Shaun Watmough, director of the  Environmental and Life Sciences and Graduate programs at Trent University. “It connects the public to current  environmental issues, shows that individuals can make a difference and allows students  to feel that their work is valued by society,”

“Having Friends of the Muskoka Watershed use our unused forests for research is a in-win situation for Camp Big Canoe,” says Doug Clark. “It makes our forests healthier, creates an opportunity for our campers and staff to learn, and FOTMW is  acquiring knowledge that will positively impact forest health and climate change.” 

Use Tools, Spread Ash, Have Fun

The hike takes place from 10 a.m. to noon and those who attend will have the opportunity to use forest measurement tools including a densiometer to measure canopy cover, and dendrometer to measure tree trunk diameter growth. Then help restore the forest by spreading ash.

Shelby Conquer, PhD student with Trent University, who has done  much of the research so far at Camp Big Canoe, will be at the hike to lead the way.

“Sugar maple trees are a culturally and economically significant species in Canada but are increasingly threatened by climate change,” says Conquer. “Thus, studying ways to ensure their future health and survivorship is essential.”

Conquer adds that it’s important to involve passionate community members in the process. The community has helped divert thousands of tons of wood ash from landfills and aided in the improved soil conditions needed for health sugar maples.

“Hopefully, this  will allow us to use the tools we have to preserve this species in the future,” she says.

Following the short hike, meet on the deck of the camp dining hall for a Q & A period.  

Enjoy exploring a maple forest, learn forestry skills, ask questions of researchers and get  an inside look at Camp Big Canoe, 1012 Sherwood Forest Rd, Bracebridge.

Tickets are free, donations are appreciated, and registration is required online at https://fotmw.org/hike cruise/ 

September Cruise Event

FOTMW is also hosting a second event, Peer Under the Surface, from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, September 15. Cost is $65 and only 40 seats were available as of publishing time.

Check out https://fotmw.org/hike cruise/ for more information.

More About FOTMW, Podcasts They’ve Appeared On

Friends of the Muskoka Watershed is a charity with a focus of protecting Muskoka  Watershed’s forever. We research science-based solutions to environmental freshwater  issues.  

Real Science takes real money. Donations are always appreciated, and tax receipts are  issued.  

Friends of the Muskoka Watershed fotwm.org is a charity focused on protecting Muskoka Watersheds forever with science driven solutions. https://fotmw.org/resources/report/ to read our most recent  scientific reports.  

Three wonderful people from FOTMW have been podcast guests over the past few years. Check out these interesting and informative shows:

Daphnia with Dr. Norman Yan

Road Salt with Dr. Neil Hutchinson

What’s Up with Sandy Lockhart

Don’t forget Check out their amazing event that’s coming up on August 12, 2024!