BOSHKUNG LAKES - LAKE
HEALTH REPORT 2025]]> Report #1 examines municpal road issues in rural Ontario and the impacts on rural muncipalities and the rural economy. Report #2 examines the new alignment of provincial and municipal responsibilities and the consequent changes in funding services.

Commissioned by the Critical change in rural Ontario Research Committee, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association.

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In 2019, The TCCBE applied for a Trillium SEED grant under the Green People category in collaboration with U-Links to launch a pilot project that would address the increasing needs of the local lake associations for regular benthic biomonitoring. The pilot project also facilitated vital
field experience for students enrolled in community-based research courses under the Community Based Education (CBE) program.

The evaluation was completed by systematically reviewing the project records to determine progress towards milestones; first-person observation of program implementation; conducting a series of interviews and online surveys with stakeholder groups that focused on whether any changes should be made to the existing project design in place and whether the evidence
supports an application for funding support; and reviewing the literature in place that supports the project design.

The specific questions that were asked of each group (see Appendix 1) attempted to gauge the progress towards objectives for the pilot submitted in the application for the Trillium SEED Grant.
A total of thirteen stakeholders, including lake association members, students, U-Links staff and faculty from Trent University and Fleming College were surveyed or interviewed. The interviewees represented a range of involvement with the project.

The report concluded that TCCBE and U-Links have made significant and positive progress on every milestone they set out to achieve, much of it earlier than originally anticipated, and that there is confidence amongst stakeholders in the effectiveness of the model. Moreover, the implementation of this project led to some important quality assurance decisions as well as some new partnerships that will ensure the model will continue to align with best practices while scaling up to meet the research needs of community organizations in multiple geographic areas.
]]> videos of student presentations of their research projects

]]> Tom Whillans]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]> Since 2020, U-Links has partnered with Upper Stoney Lake Association (USLA), Trent University, and Fleming College to monitor and report on the lake’s benthic macroinvertebrate populations. This study is currently in year three of a proposed total of five years, after which a baseline knowledge will be reached regarding the lake’s macroinvertebrate species richness and diversity. Research spanning five years is considered long-term, and the data in such studies has a high level of validity. Macroinvertebrates serve as excellent bioindicators of overall littoral ecosystem health. With five years' worth of macroinvertebrate data, trends may be recognized and recommendations for the future can be made.
Several areas of concern make Stoney Lake a good candidate for continued research. According to E. Paleczny (personal communication, December 5, 2022), the stressors to aquatic ecosystem integrity of Stoney Lake include climate change, invasive species (e.g., Nitellopsis obtusa (starry stonewort (SSW))), decline in water quality (e.g., nutrient input, blue-green algal blooms, chemical contaminants), water level fluctuation, and development pressures (e.g., marina's, golf courses, proposed condo and tiny home developments, shoreline development, watershed scale impacts from forestry, mining and agriculture). E. Paleczny (personal communication, December 5, 2022) further stated that the synergistic effects of these stressors are resulting in rapid decline in healthy populations of aquatic species (e.g., walleye), increases in the number of species at risk (e.g., wood turtle), and increased eutrophication leading to increased occurrence and abundance of algal blooms. There are also many unseen effects including increased toxic effects on aquatic life.
Excess algae growth may be fueled by phosphorus and nutrient runoff from the golf course and cottage lawns. If algae growth increases dramatically, lake eutrophication may occur, which would have detrimental effects on animal populations. Algae blooms increase the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) level by encouraging the growth of specific bacteria (Encyclopedia.com, 2019). A greater BOD rapidly reduces oxygen levels, which can cause fish and other aquatic animals to lose their oxygen supply.
In 2022, there were no observable impacts or changes in macroinvertebrate species presence at a lake scale, however, this study does not address localized impacts from stressors or other shifts or changes in aquatic ecosystem function. It also does not address any changes to baseline conditions prior to 2020. Increasing sampling sites where there are concerns about localized stressors such as development impacts would help to assess if there are localized impacts to macroinvertebrate populations.
]]> Environmental Science / Studies
Geography]]> Host contact: Buckingham, Darlene]]> Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies]]> Visible Voices: Connecting Seniors through Art-Making is an innovative expressive arts program that

connects older volunteers and isolated seniors through inter-modal art-making. Developed by

Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educator Fay Wilkinson, the program has been underway in

Haliburton County (Ontario) since 2008 with the support of The Arts Council~Haliburton Highlands,

Haliburton County Development Corporation, and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada:

New Horizons for Seniors Program.

]]> Visible Voices: Connecting Seniors through Art-Making is an innovative expressive arts program that connects

older volunteers and isolated seniors through inter-modal art-making. Developed by Registered Expressive Arts

Consultant/Educator Fay Wilkinson, the program has been underway in Haliburton County (Ontario) since 2008

with the support of The Arts Council~Haliburton Highlands, Haliburton County Development Corporation, and

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada: New Horizons for Seniors Program.

]]> Ten community case studies, including Haliburton-Minden, focussing on building a model framework for creating and implementing local pedestrian strategies and plans.

]]> Fisheries
Biology
Environmental Science
Ecological Restoration]]> Host contact: Mowat, Dave]]> Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies]]>
This project deals specifically with the problems of lighting and effects on normal interactions of the walleye in the river. This paper suggests what intensity of light walleye generally live and interact within as well as what colours the eyes will absorb and which ones they won't.]]> Drag River Rehabilitation Project ]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]>
The history behind the implementation of the Sunship Earth program at Wanakita in 1986 and its subsequent development is outlined along with an in-depth look at the principles of the program and the need for continuing relationships with schools in the community as the experiences of Sunship Earth become entrenched in the participants and make for better future citizens.]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]> Envrionmental Studies]]> Host contacts: Morris, Malcolm; Ross, Heather]]> Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies]]>
Random waste audits were conducted at the Maple Lake and Hawk Lake sites and fifty surveys were randomly handed out. As well, in-depth interviews were conducted at each site with users and attendants.

Findings are indicated and recommendations made aimed at educating the public about the issues of recycling.]]> Host contact: Hicks, Jim]]> Department: International Development Studies]]>
The work of the consulting firm of A.J. Robinson & Associates Inc. in assisting the County in the preparation of a Waste Management Master Plan is outlined and the report goes on to look at successful waste managment programs both in Canada and in other countries. The desirable characteristics of a conserver society are presented in opposition to that of the consumer society. Existing waste management legislation in Ontario is noted with the implications for the County of Haliburton. Finally, the work of the authors in conducting a waste audit of a local facility is described.]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]>
Difficulties facing Haliburton County are analyzed by looking at problems with existing sites, waste options, legislation, and politics. Suggestions for individuals and municipalities are presented centering on the 3 R's of reduction, reuse, and recycling.]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]> Environmental Studies 
Planning 
Waste Management]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]> Environmental Studies]]> Irene Heaven]]> Muskoka
Kawartha]]> Water Science 
Chemistry]]>