Doug Cross Stewardship, Funding Boost for Muskoka Tourism, MAHC CEO happy about 2023

We’ve put together some of our own Muskoka Newsbites from various sources including media releases, along with a few notes contributed by our friends at The Bay 88.7 FM.

Register for the Doug Cross Stewardship Recognition Program

It takes thousands of people doing small but vital actions on a daily basis to help keep the watershed healthy and beautiful. These unsung heroes should be celebrated and that’s where the Doug Cross Stewardship Recognition Program comes in.

The program was created by the Muskoka Watershed Council (MWC) in 2022 to help local non-profit organizations celebrate those members that go above and beyond to help protect our watersheds. In the two years since the program’s launch, twenty watershed stewards have been recognized by their respective organizations for their efforts.

The program is named after a former MWC member, Doug Cross, who used his extensive background and expertise in media communications to help get MWC’s messages out to the community. MWC received a generous donation in 2020 upon his passing, and MWC is using these funds to raise awareness about good watershed stewardship practices.

Eligible organizations can register during the month of January to receive a free recognition package for them to award to a member that they’ve identified as being a good watershed steward. Each Recognition Package includes a certificate of recognition and a gift card to Hidden Habitat native plant nursery.

What’s a good watershed steward? We’ve outlined some criteria to help organizations select worthy recipients on our website, and we’ve also provided some ideas on how to select a recipient, but it’s up to each organization to decide what works best for them.

Learn more about the Doug Cross Stewardship Recognition Program and register your organization to receive a free Recognition Package at www.muskokawatershed.org/programs/stewardship-recognition-program.

MUSKOKA TOURISM GETS FUNDING BOOST

The District of Muskoka has awarded a 15 percent funding boost to Muskoka Tourism, which is set to expand the reach of the tourism marketing agency.

Val Hamilton, executive director of Muskoka Tourism, says the funding will result in 10 times the amount of promotion they have normally done as well as further focusing on targeting overseas visitors.

This increase is a big jump from the normally nominal 1.8 percent that the District has provided in previous budgets.

MAHC CEO PROUD OF FIRST YEAR IN CHARGE (From The Bay 88.7)

Cheryl Harrison, the CEO of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare says that looking back on her first year with the organization, she is extremely proud of what their team has accomplished as one organization managing two sites.

The MAHC received the top rating of Accredited with Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada; opened a Heart Function Clinic at the South Muskoka site for care of patients in the community with Congestive Heart Failure; launched the Hospital to Home program with Closing the Gap to create a seamless transition for patients to leave the hospital and successfully return to their home with dedicated resources and support; partnered with Muskoka Hills Retirement Villa in Bracebridge for seven transitional care beds to relieve occupancy pressures; and marked one year of partnership in palliative care with Hospice Muskoka to designate five transitional care beds at Andy’s House in Port Carling for MAHC patients seeking end-of-life care in a homelike environment.

Harrison says health care in a community takes a team – many players working together from many departments and many agencies.

Gravenhurst Accepting Tourism Grant Applications

As of January 2, the Town of Gravenhurst has started accepting applications for Tourism Gravenhurst grants.

These grants are funded by the town’s Municipal Accommodation Tax, and will be considered for projects that enhance Gravenhurst’s tourism economy, including events such as concerts, festivals, sports, conferences, and more.

Tourism Gravenhurst is a newly formed not-for-profit organization that is responsible for distributing the grants and will consider grant applications from for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in the public and private sectors, as well as partnerships.

The deadline to apply for a Tourism Gravenhurst grant is Jan. 31. Find out more at: https://www.gravenhurst.ca/en/news/apply-for-tourism-gravenhurst-grants-in-2024.aspx