Resources - Shoreline & Property Protection

Certain forests in Ontario may be privately owned, but they benefit all Ontarians. The Ontario Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) recognizes the importance of these lands. The goal of the MFTIP is to bring greater fairness to the property tax system by valuing forests according to their current use. The program is designed to increase landowner awareness about forest stewardship. L  andowners with more than 4 hectares of forest who apply and qualify for the program have the eligible portion of their property classified and assessed as Managed Forest under the Managed forests property class. The eligible land is taxed at 25 percent of the municipal tax rate set for residential properties. For the details on how your property my qualify for this very important program, please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/managed-forest-tax-incentive-program .

An invasive species is an exotic or alien species that negatively affects the environment. Invasives tend to be hardy, fast at reproducing and have no natural predators in their adopted homes. Ontario’s best examples are Zebra Mussels and Purple Loosestrife.

If you think about it, the night sky is an important part of our natural heritage. But with excessive outdoor lighting, even the stars are an endangered species.

It is important that all waterfront property owners understand the DPS before they consider altering their shoreline, building structures such as docks and boat houses or removing vegetation.

Shorelines are a critical and sensitive link between land and water. The land and shallow water that meet at the water's edge provide a nursery for the wildlife in the waterway. Here, fish spawn, aquatic insects find mates, waterfowl nest and turtles scramble ashore to lay their eggs. When development destroys the vegetation that feeds and protects this shoreline nursery, all living things in the water are affected. A dense strip of natural vegetation is an important buffer that filters rainwater that runs over the surface of the land. Shrubs, trees, grasses and wildflowers all play an important role in removing sediment from this surface runoff, and promoting its percolation into the soil - further cleaning the water and recharging groundwater supplies. A thick network of roots from a variety of waterfront plants helps to keep shoreline soil on land where it belongs, not in waterways. Soil eroding into waterways contaminates spawning beds, which reduces fish populations. Think of your human neighbours too! Our survey of residents found that the number one priority is to protect our natural shoreline for appearances as well as nature. Consider the following points for your shoreline: Allow the shoreline to return to its natural state, or plant native species or flowers, grasses and shrubs; Aim for a naturalized area extending at least 10 met res back from shore; Avoid hard barriers such as concrete walls and gabion baskets. If possible, remove retaining walls; Limit shoreline alteration to no more than 25 percent of your shoreline; Shoreline vegetation also helps to protect water quality; and, Manicured areas act like hard surfaces when it rains. More than 50% of rainfall can run off straight into the lake along with fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, etc