From Friends of the Muskoka Watershed
Please bring your cold, clean ash.
This Saturday is Friends of the Muskoka Watershed’s (FOTMW) last ash collection day until the fall. Already this year, we’ve received donations of over 4000 kg of ash. We can’t wait to see what the total is after our Saturday, April 20 collection day. We will be at 1062 Rosewarne Drive, the Bracebridge landfill/transfer station, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Since 2019, we’ve collected over 36,000 kg of woodstove and fireplace ash to help protect Muskoka’s watershed.
April is also our birthday month, so we are ready to celebrate. If you are thinking of supporting us with a cash donation, now is the time. Two generous supporters are matching donations as a birthday gift to FOTWM. As a result, your donation goes twice as far.(fotmw.org/donate/
Thank you to all the amazing volunteers and ash donors who have contributed to the work of the Friends of the Muskoka Watershed and the betterment of our shared environment.
We use this ash to conduct research with Trent University and to restore Muskoka forests. The laboratory studies indicate that Muskoka ash is 25-30% calcium and has appreciable amounts of other key plant nutrients including potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.
We have applied thousands of kilograms of processed wood ash to sugar maple bushes and research forests. We’ve learned that wood ash neutralizes the acidity of Muskoka soils that were damaged by decades of acid rain. Preliminary research suggests that ash application to the soil increases tree vitality and growth, meaning that trees are more storm-resistant and
have the potential to capture more carbon! Healthier trees also can pump more water, with a positive impact on flood mitigation.
We require more ash, as our research is ongoing. The next drive is on Saturday, April 21. Real science takes real money, so financial support is also appreciated. FOTWM is a registered charity. If you’d like to know more, contact us at [email protected], come visit us on Saturday to talk to our experts about our research and future projects, or visit our website at fotmw.org.
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martina schroer says
Congratulations to the Friends of the Muskoka Watershed organization!
We, the citizens of Muskoka, need to be informed about this wonderful, VOLUNTEER, work that helps our environment. Thanks for supporting Trent University with their research which helps to restore Muskoka’s forests.
The collection and spreading of wood ash is another way to sustain our beautiful forests which in turn helps to sustain us.
Every little action helps.
When children seem overwhelmed by all the issues of climate change, David Suzuki reminds them that every tiny raindrop helps to fill a bucket. In other words, every seemingly insignificant environmental activity a child does is in itself meaningful.
Martina Schroer