Welcome to the Parry Sound - Muskoka Stewardship Network
The Parry Sound-Muskoka Area, with a population of 76,000, is almost totally a forested landscape, with 79% of the area occupied by forest. There is approximately 12,094 square kilometers of land, with 68 townships and a further 5,251 square kilometers of water.
Our area is bordered to the south by Simcoe and Victoria County, to the north by the District of Nipissing and to the east by Algonquin Park and part of Haliburton County.
The Parry Sound-Muskoka Area has a unique landbase ownership with the 1,209,436 hectares of land being 50% crown and 50% private. Our forests continue to support a viable forest industry, while meeting the needs of the ever increasing recreational demands of both a permanent and seasonal population. Our thousands of inland lakes are world famous and include Lake of Bays, Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau and Lake Joseph. The Georgian Bay shoreline contributes an additional 3960 square kilometers to this extensive cottage industry. (122 cottage associations).
We are within a three hour drive of nine million people, creating a diverse mix of resource users and resource expectations.
These resources have traditionally contributed to the social and economic well being of the region and province. With proper stewardship practices that focus on resource sustainability, we will be able to continue to meet the expectations of resource users, both currently and for future generations.
Contact Information:
Chris Near
A/Stewardship Coordinator
Parry Sound - Muskoka Stewardship Network
c/o Ministry of Natural Resources
RR # 2, 1350 High Falls Rd.
Bracebridge, Ontario P1L 1W9
Phone: 705.646.5524
Fax: 705.645.8372
Email: christopher.near@ontario.ca
Features:
CLICK HERE to see a list of Stewardship Councils and Coordinators in the province.
CLICK HERE to visit the Ontario Stewardship Home Page where you can learn more about the program and find your local community stewardship council home page.
CLICK HERE to reach the vast library of extension notes available to you through the Ministry of Natural Resources website.
CLICK HERE to access links to local level organizations and beyond.