Citizen science is making a difference. It’s impacting Muskoka’s road salt research and future plans for Friends of the Muskoka Watershed (FOTMW)’s SALTYMuskoka education project. Dr. Neil Hutchinson, science director and FOTMW board member, completed the report: Citizen Science Observations on Road Salt in Muskoka.

We know that lakes in Muskoka are threatened with toxic chloride from our use of road salt. Data from eight citizen scientists testing in 27 different locations over two years, highlights important sources for rising chloride readings and records some levels that are of concern.  The study enforced the value of citizen science and what it can accomplish. The learnings can be applied to work in FOTMW’s SALTYMuskoka program to inform residents on how to reduce road salt pollution.