The Pileated woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker is a large, mostly black woodpecker native to North America. An insectivore, it inhabits deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific Coast.

Location: Haliburton Ontario
Lake: Redstone Lake

In case you missed them

The CBC recently ran a couple of articles of interest to property owners, especially if that property is lakeside.

Dandelions! Bees (and other pollinators) depend on them in the early spring. You should probably be eating them too. And without mowing or herbicides (which we know you’re not using, for your lake’s health, right?) you really can’t beat them. So why not learn to love them?

Bad news for fishing. It seems that climate change, among its other devastations, is raising the temperature of our lakes, which lowers the oxygen content, which, among other things, makes them less fish-friendly. Whether you want to catch fish, or just join them for a companionable swim, we can all agree that more is better. The problem is made worse by run-off from faulty or failing septic systems, or fertilizers (but you really aren’t using those, are you?), or a denuded shoreline that doesn’t capture excess nutrients before they enter the water. So get your septic checked regularly and naturalize your shoreline: your finny neighbours will be grateful.



Don’t Spread Invasive Species

Moving boats from one lake to another can spread invasive plant and animal species that harm our lake ecosystems and reduce our enjoyment of recreational activities. For example, the thick mats created by invasive plant species, such as Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Starry Stonewort, can ruin swimming, boating, and fishing. You can help protect our lakes from the spread of invasive species by encouraging your friends and family to clean, drain, and dry their boats before moving them to another lake.

Learn More:  General Info  |  Eurasian Water-Milfoil  |  Starry Stonewort

Watch your wake to protect our shorelines

Did you know that boat wakes can erode our shorelines? The wave action created by boats moving at high speeds can wash away shoreline soils. Shoreline erosion damages waterfront properties and adds sediment to our lake, which can harm fish and their habitat. Please remind your friends and family to reduce their boat speed within 30 m of any shoreline. Learn more here

WATCH THE VIDEO

FOCA is very proud to launch the new Be #WakeAware campaign, together with our partners at the Muskoka Lakes Association and Safe Quiet Lakes. Boaters need to be #WakeAware to ensure ALL lake or river users are able to enjoy the water safely and sustainably. Any wake near shore can cause issues for loons, docks, shorelines, swimmers, and other small craft users. Large wake users are encouraged to take their fun to the middle of large lakes. Avoid narrow, shallow, or near-shore areas, and watch behind you to understand your wake impact. All small powerboat users can help, too, by always reducing speed to 10 km/hr or less within 30m of shore, and by getting up to plane quickly when transitioning from slow to high speed. We all have a role to play in being #WakeAware.

Do your part: Please visit the campaign webpage, share the link and #WakeAware hashtag on your own social networks, websites, and community groups, and circulate this message to everyone you know who loves the waterfront in Ontario: www.BeWakeAware.com

Learn more about boating safety

Download our informative (PDF) documents below. Your knowledge about boat safety makes our cottage community a better one.

Watching your Wake

Those of us with our pleasure craft licence studied specific rules of the water geared to safe & responsible boating; most of us are familiar with general boat safety & etiquette. We may not be as familiar with the impact of boat wake. Click here to download or view the PDF online.


Private Buoy – Signage Guide

Private Buoy – Signage Guide. Click here to download or view the PDF online.

RLCA Safe Boating Guide

RLCA Safe Boating Guide cira 2009 – Click here to download or view the PDF online.


An Owners Guide to Private Buoys

An Owners Guide to Private Buoys. Click here to download or view the PDF online.

Carl_Dixon_Concert_Main_Image

Concert at the Lake

Carl Dixon’s powerful vocals and songs have put him at the forefront of the Canadian rock industry for three decades. RLCA helped spread the word about this awesome concert. Friends, family and pets had a great time watching from the boats. It was the best Summer 2021 Fun. Check out some of the pictures and videos CLICK HERE

Carl Dixon in Concert
Date: July 3rd, 2021
Time: 1-5 pm
Redstone lake
North Beaches

Don’t forget to share this event with your fellow cottagers friends

Healthy Shoreline Contest

Go Green and WIN Green!

You’ve heard it before, so let’s cut to the chase. Natural and restored shorelines are the way to go. To help maintain a healthy lake, it is recommended that at least 75% of its shoreline be natural. And there are advantages for your piece of this resource

  • the root systems prevent erosion without the use of retaining walls
  • you have less work (mowing, planting, weeding, rebuilding walls) and fewer costs
  • it will be wild and beautiful

And if that’s not enough, the RLCA is once again offering its naturalizing contest!

Spend a hundred, WIN a hundred!

This spring, the RLCA is delighted to be able again to offer a ‘Native Plants’ raffle. Purchase a minimum of $100 worth of native plants for your property (especially for your shoreline!), and we’ll add you to the draw for 1 of 3 $100 prizes.

The rules:

  • All purchases must be made so that you can submit copies of your invoice(s) by June 30. We’ll do the draw at the AGM on July 13
  • You don’t have to buy everything in one place or at one time, or even at the sources listed below, but we’ll need enough detail to indicate that the purchases were for native plants.
  • Invoices should be photoed or scanned and sent to  membership@redstonelake.com, and must arrive by June 30, 2022. Please include your name, an email address and/or phone number so we can get in touch with you if you’re one of the lucky winners.

There are a number of organizations that are offering native plant kits or nurseries offering native plants: here are a few of them in and around Dysart.


Native plant sales and nurseries:

Abbey Gardens

Abbey Gardens is offering 3 plant kits again this year, to be ordered online and picked up the May long weekend:

They are also offering a Zoom-based Shoreline Naturalization Workshop on April 9 from 1-3pm for $20

Haliburton Master Gardeners

Haliburton Master Gardeners will hold their annual plant sale at Head Lake Park on May 28 from 10am-12. Not all the plants offered are native: selections will include Asian Lilies, hardy perennials, native plants, heritage tomatoes, herbs, Rhubarb roots, perennial vegetables including Jerusalem artichokes and horseradish. Entry to sale by numbered tickets only. Collect your ticket starting at 9am. Numbers will be called in sequential order starting at 10 am.

Attend a day-long (8:30am-3pm) zoom event on April 9, 2022: Native Gardens for Nature’s Sake, hosted by Haliburton Master Gardeners.

Botanigals Native Plant Nursery

Order online at https://www.botanigals.ca/shop/native_plant_nursery/15

Pickup at 1245 Big Hawk Lake Road, Algonquin Highlands (some plants are available for shipping, see the website).

Country Rose Flowers and Garden

13513 Hwy 118 W, Haliburton (705-457-3774)

Shop in person or order by phone for pickup: https://countryroseflowers.ca/for-the-garden/native-plants/

Be sure to ask for a separate listing of the native plants you purchase, they’ll be happy to provide it, and it can be used for your contest entry.

Grow Wild! Native Plant Nursery

3784 Highway #7, Omemee ON

http://www.nativeplantnursery.ca/

Catalogs for perennials, trees and shrubs, and grasses: http://www.nativeplantnursery.ca/download-the-grow-wild-native-plant-nursery-catalog/. Retail sales will begin on June 24, for pickup after July 2.