2022 President's Report

Welcome to the annual general meeting of the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation for the fiscal 2022. After 2 years of virtual meetings, it is wonderful to see everyone again.

I am happy to report another good year in fiscal 2022, the year ending April 30, 2022.

• Membership remains above 1000 of which 38% are Permanent members.
• Two new levels of membership were added this year: Heritage Champion and Leader’s Circle for cumulative donations of $75k and $100k, respectively.
• 63 new members were welcomed as well as 6 new Life Members.
• It was a stellar year for general donations for which we are very grateful to our members and donors. We remain in a strong financial position.

Communications

10 newsletters and news flashes were sent this year to 998 subscribers. The new website is very popular and last week alone we had 564 visits with almost 1000 pages viewed. On social media we have 874 followers on Facebook and 181 on Twitter. Our YouTube channel had 184 viewers last month.

Governance and Outreach

The Foundation is participating in a pilot of the new Canada Land Trust Standards and Practices, and we will shortly be updating our Strategic Plan: Vision 2027.  A sub-committee is focused on our role in Truth & Reconciliation, exploring meaningful actions that fit with the Foundation’s mandate. First, we need understand the Indigenous culture and history as well as their relationship with nature. We also need to understand the truth about the impacts of colonization in the Lake of Bays region. We invite you to share your thoughts, ideas, and relevant contacts.

Community & Engagement

This year we documented the Wahawin community. A video and Built Heritage Awards will be presented after the business part of the meeting. There is a Wahawin booklet you can purchase at the end of the meeting and a cottage tour after lunch.

We are very grateful for many donations to The Harriet T. Weaver Fund which enabled us to increase the bursaries to $1,000 for a student at each of Huntsville High School and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School. These students have been accepted in post-secondary schools in a program related to Foundation’s mandate.

Several popular nature events were held this summer: Dr. Cathy Charles Bird Count, a Butterfly Count in July, and the very popular Silent Boat Rally on the Lower Oxtongue River. Two Mushroom Forays are planned for late August and September. 

Marsh’s Falls Nature Reserve

During the year a management plan was developed for this property indicating our priorities. In order of importance, they are Environment, Habitats, Education and Recreation. Zones were identified based on habitats, or a specific purpose, and it was recommended that old roads be allowed to regenerate to a 2-metre-wide trails. Board walks will be built to traverse wet areas and we are investigating safer car access and parking options.

We have renamed the property as the Marsh’s Falls Nature Reserve to reflect the protected status of the property while allowing for low impact activities such as nature events and trail walking. There are four connected loop trails with colour-coded maps and directional signage. There are new benches along the trails and the Karn Nature Room with interactive elements for children. Individuals who want to visit the property must register. There are new signs at each entrance to the reserve indicating the need to register and identifying the permitted uses (hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and photography) and prohibited uses (camping, fires, hunting, biking, motorized vehicles). Pets are not allowed on the property due to the impact on the various habitats of species-at-risk.

Langmaid’s Island

Langmaid’s Island Corp, the owners of Langmaid’s Island appealed their application to develop the island into 32 lots which was not permitted under the Townships Official Plan. A virtual LPAT hearing took place over 5 weeks in the winter of 2021. The opposing parties were LBHF, LOBA, the Township, the Town of Huntsville and Kelly Zytaruk, a cottage owner. Chair, Gregory Bishop presided over the hearing that ended in February 2021, and he has not yet rendered his decision.

What’s Next?

• Strategic Plan update
• Potential opportunities for land donations
• Educational material and programs
• Multigenerational nature program
• Support for Truth & Reconciliation

The work of the Foundation is done entirely by volunteers.  People tell us volunteering with LBHF is interesting, fun, rewarding and a great way to meet people. We have opportunities to volunteer in many areas. Please let us know about your interests or talents.

Judith Mills, President