Fleming College

The Midhurst District Office of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) recently recognized Fleming College faculty and staff, who are working in partnership with the MNR and other conservation organizations to restore muskellunge to Lake Simcoe.Fleming College Fisheries Technician and Instructor Sasha Fernando and Environmental Technology student and muskellunge restoration volunteer Kevin Mcgilloway, accepted an appreciation award on behalf of the Fleming faculty, staff, students and volunteers involved in the Lake Simcoe Muskellunge Restoration Project, at a dinner in Collingwood on Thursday, November 1.The MNR hosted the event to recognize the many organizations it works with in the restoration and conservation of natural resources. Fleming College has partnered with the MNR and Muskies Canada Inc. to rear muskellunge at the Frost Campus Fish Hatchery and then stock the fish in Lake Simcoe. Muskies Canada also received an appreciation award from the MNR at the event.Mr. Fernando said the MNR recognizes the importance of partnering with conservation organizations and educational institutions to ensure sound resource management. “Conservation, rehabilitation, and management of our resources are a collective effort. We have vast and under-appreciated natural resources in Ontario and across Canada. In regard to environmental issues, there are too many issues and too many user groups surrounding the natural resources for them to be managed from one point of view,” said Mr. Fernando.Muskellunge are native to Lake Simcoe but overharvest, habitat loss and ecological change have led to their demise. As part of their field experience, second and third year students in the Fish and Wildlife program participated in stocking the fish throughout October and November.