Environment, Trees and Yards

In March 2023, Council approved a Bracebridge Action Plan and Implementation Schedule, the town-specific portion of the District Municipality of Muskoka’s Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan (ReCAP), which outlines the actions that each Muskoka municipality plans to take to address the most urgent and threatening impacts of climate change.

The Town of Bracebridge Action Plan and Implementation Schedule is comprised of 30 action items grouped under five themes:

• Development and infrastructure;
• Communication and educational awareness;
• Adaptation programs;
• Emergency response measures; and
• Policy change.

Within each theme, several action items are outlined that aim to review current infrastructure, programs and planning, evaluate safeguards and mitigation programs to better support the community, build partnerships and work collaboratively with area partners, focus on continuous improvement, environmental stewardship and more. This plan will be used when developing Municipal Budgets and Business Plans, and to help guide future climate change adaptation activities.

In December 2024, Council approved the Corporate GHG Inventory and Regional Climate Change Mitigation Plan. 

The Town of Bracebridge is active in conserving and improving energy efficiency across the Municipality. The Town encourages energy efficient building and landscaping design. This includes wind, solar and renewable energy systems.

The Town uses computerized heating and air conditioning systems to reduce energy consumption in municipally-owned buildings, by installing timers or sensors on lights at recreational facilities such as parks and tennis courts. Facilities are monitored on a regular basis to ensure that that energy consumption is minimized throughout the year.

To support alternative energy production, in 2014, a solar photovoltaic system was installed at the Annie Williams Memorial Park Pavilion for connection to the Ontario Power Authority microFIT program.

Projects and Programs:

• Energy Management Plans - 2014, 2019 Update
• Green Energy Act Projects - Town Protocol
• Bracebridge LED Lighting Initiative that is converting High Pressure Sodium Streetlights to LED to reduce power consumption
• Ministry of Energy - Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting - 2017 Data

Listing of environmental and nature-related clubs, groups, organizations and government:

• Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
• Ministry of Natural Resources
• Muskoka Conservancy
• Muskoka Watershed Council

In order to protect the environment, the Town undertakes various programs and studies to protect our natural environment.

• Environmental Project Scoping
• Municipal Storm Water System Review
• Site Alteration By-Law Update 
• Urban Forest Management Study

The Town promotes a number of programs to support improvements in water and air quality, or parks and green spaces, among others:

Clean Muskoka Together

Clean Muskoka Together is a year-round Muskoka-wide community litter clean-up program in partnership with the District Municipality of Muskoka and area municipal partners. The program provides all the tools you need to help keep Muskoka beautiful, including gloves, recycling bags and specially marked garbage bags.

Register ahead of your clean-up to qualify for a clean-up kit. The District requires at least a week's notice prior to the intended clean-up day. After registering, the Clean-Up Captain will receive a confirmation e-mail with instructions on how to pick up a Clean-Up Kit. All litter must be put in the specially marked Clean Muskoka Together garbage bags to be exempt from disposal fees at District Waste Facilities. These bags are only available to approved groups who have registered with our Clean Muskoka Together program.

After your clean-up, deliver the litter and recyclables to a District Waste Facility, and complete a Clean-up Report to provide feeback and report any large abandoned items found during the clean-up.  

If you have questions about the Clean Muskoka Together program, contact waste@muskoka.on.ca or 705-645-6764.

Commemorative Program

The Commemorative Bench and Tree Program provides an opportunity to adopt a bench or tree in memory of a loved one, dedication to a friend or family member or to commemorate a special event. The gift of a bench or tree is a lasting tribute that benefits the park and community as a whole.

How to apply for a Commemorative Bench or Tree?

1. Fill out a Commemorative Bench or Commemorative Tree application located under Parks and Trails on the Applications, Licences and Permits webpage.
2. Submit your completed application form to the Public Works Office in person or by email

Earth Day - April 22, 2025

The Town of Bracebridge participates in Earth Day joining governments, businesses, community organizations and individuals in exploring ways to reduce energy consumption and protect the environment. Visit Earth Day Canada for more information.

In celebration of Earth Day, the Town participates in the Annual Compost Giveaway Event with compost that has been generated through the District Municipality of Muskoka's Green Bins Organics Collection Program.

Earth Hour - March 22, 2025

Annually, the Town asks the community to join millions of people around the world to turn off lights for one hour to demonstrate the commitment to fight climate change. The Town turns off all non-essential lighting and heating in our facilities during Earth Hour.

The Town of Bracebridge operates and maintains more than 50 plus vehicles and pieces of equipment that provide a range of services for our roads, facilities, emergency services and programs. As part of our commitment to environmental protection, we purchase fleet components that reduce pollutant discharge.

In 2025, the Town will be undertaking a Feasibility Study of incorporating EV/Hybrid vehicles into the municipal fleet.

Graffiti is any writing, etching, drawing or symbol applied to any public or private property without the consent of the owner. Graffiti is an act of vandalism and considered a crime.

The most common type of graffiti is "tagging". A tag usually includes the person's signature or repetitive painting of a word, name, symbol or acronym that may or may not contain letters, numbers, or symbols. Graffiti can be in the community etched on bridges, buildings, walls, utility boxes, mailboxes, vehicles, and in parks. 

It can ruin the natural beauty of a town, and can often be profane, obscene and offensive.

Removing and Reporting Graffiti

As a resident, you can help manage graffiti where you live by recording, reporting and removing the graffiti.

To report incidents of graffiti on public property, please contact the Public Works Department at 705-645-5264.

Please provide as much information as possible with regard to the location of the graffiti.

Invasive species are organisms (including plant, animal, insect and pathogen species) that are not native to an ecosystem and can harm the environment. They have the ability to outcompete native species for resources and space. Invasive species often lack their natural predators or population controls, which allows them to reproduce and spread rapidly. They are often very adaptable and have the ability transform entire ecosystems.

Learning to identify invasive species and plants in Bracebridge can be challenging. If you are uncertain about a specie you have found, access help through one these resources:

• Ontario Invasive Plant Council
• Weeds in Ontario
• Muskoka Conservancy
• The District Municipality of Muskoka's EnviroHub

Invasive Species Management

The Town of Bracebridge provides management, administration and treatment of invasive species within the geographical area for common invasive species such as: Japanese Knotweed, Poison Ivy, Giant Hogweed, Purple Loosestrife, Emerald Ash Borer, Gypsy Moth and Phragmites, amongst others.

Residents looking to manage an invasive species on their property can visit the Ontario Invasive Plant Council to discover helpful resources such as landowner guides to managing and controlling invasive plants and species specific best management practices.

What can you do to reduce the impacts of invasive species?

• Plant Native: When gardening, choose native plants in your landscaping. The Grow Me Instead Guide highlights common ornamental invasive plants and suggests native alternatives that are better suited to Muskoka's growing conditions.

• Know and Report Invasive Species: Become familiar with common invasive species in Bracebridge. If you detect an invasive species on municipal property, please contact the Public Works Department. The Town, in colloboration with the District Municipality of Muskoka, administer the treatment and mapping of the invasive species such as Giant Hogweed. The plant and area are sprayed for 3 years to control and eradicate the invasive species.

• Stay on the Trail: When visiting Parks, Trails and natural areas stay on the trails to reduce the spread or introduction of seeds in natural habitats. Make sure to clean your footwear and equipment before going from one natural area to another. This includes cleaning bikes, boats, fishing equipment, ATVs and other recreational equipment.

The Town of Bracebridge is committed to protecting and supporting our trees because they are a precious natural resource for our area.

• Tree Cutting By-Law protects trees within urban boundary and within the shorelines in water front areas. A Tree Cutting Permit is required subject to the regulations of the Tree Cutting By-Law. Visit Applications, Licences and Permits to obtain the permit form.

If you believe someone is violating the Tree Cutting By-Law and would like to file a complaint, please contact the Planning and Development Department at 705-645-5264.

Trees on Municipal Property

The 2024 Urban Tree Management Plan established the condition of trees on public property in the urban core and made recommendations for tree health improvement or hazard removal.

The Town plants about 30 trees on public property each year to replace fallen, hazardous or dead trees. Most of the planting takes place in the fall.

Cutting, trimming or removing a tree on public property is a violation of the Town's Tree Cutting By-Law.

To report a fallen, hazardous or dead tree on municipal property or roadway, call the Public Works Department at 705-645-5264.

The Town of Bracebridge requires every property owner within the municipality to maintain their property to a minimum standard. Properties that are not maintained in a clean, clear and safe condition not only detract from the overall beauty and character of the community but also have the ability to negatively impact property values as well as posing a safety hazard in some cases.

The Clean Yard By-Law contains a number of regulations that apply to all properties:

• dumping and littering
• composting
• garbage storage
• graffiti
• hazardous conditions
• ice and snow
• vegetation

To report a Clean Yard issue, contact the By-Law Department at 705-645-5264.