The Conservation Connection Newsletter

February 2026 | Issue 1

Donor Spotlight:

All’s Well at Owl’s Well on Lake Simcoe

All’s Well at Owl’s Well on Lake Simcoe. Set back from the shore of Lake Simcoe behind a canopy of 150-year-old red oak trees on the north side of Degrassi Point, sits a charming white cottage known affectionately as Owl’s Well, a quaint play on words. The cottage has remained in the family since it was built in 1889 by Barrie banker J.C. McKeggie, Stephen Gilbert’s great-great grandfather. In the earliest days at Owl’s Well the family would arrive by train, sometimes staying at the Inn in Lefroy before making their way to the cottage. Summers would be spent playing tennis on the lawn, swimming or rowing out on the lake. Evenings might be spent sipping tea in the screened in porch or playing games by lantern light. The cottage housed a large kitchen where staff prepared meals, did laundry, and slipped quietly through to the dining room to serve the family. Much has changed since the days where household staff was commonplace, and families played on grass tennis courts. Today, twenty-two cottages line Degrassi Point, and many remain within the same families who built them generations ago. Some families have now winterized their cottages and have moved up from the city to live by the lake year-round. Over the generations families have been remarkably loyal to Degrassi Point. For Stephen Gilbert and his family, Lake Simcoe has been the backdrop of a lifetime of summer memories. “I didn’t have to go to summer camp – the cottage was my summer camp, and I made so many great friends here,” remembers Stephen. “We were only an hour away from Toronto, but once you arrived at the cottage it seemed you were a world away.” Stephen and his friends would spend their summers swimming, playing tennis, or fishing for bass and perch off the ‘Over 40 Dock’. The dock, once the ferry landing for Sunday churchgoers, earned its name as a playful way for the adults to keep the younger kids at bay. All’s Well at Owl’s Well on Lake Simcoe. On the Civic long weekend families would gather for the regatta and all the festivities that would come with this enduring tradition. Long weekend or not Degrassi Point has long been considered a gathering place. “The prevailing winds brought lots of sand to the area which would attract other boaters, sometimes as many as 60 boats would be anchored nearby,” recalls Stephen. Degrassi Point is a gathering place worth preserving. “The Lake is always changing,” says Stephen. With climate change and the stressors of human-activity, conservation efforts are critical to maintaining the health of the Lake Simcoe Watershed. While honouring an important piece of his family’s past is meaningful, Stephen believes that what truly matters is the health of the lake itself. That belief is why he has been a committed donor to the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation for nearly 25 years – ever since Debby Beatty, a cherished LSCF Board member for decades, invited him to join her in making a difference. Debby became one of Lake Simcoe’s most passionate advocates, rallying neighbours, hosting community gatherings, and going door to door to encourage stewardship and fundraising for LSCF all to help support a healthier Lake Simcoe. Her dedication not only strengthened the community’s connection to the lake – it also inspired Stephen’s own longstanding support. Protecting Lake Simcoe is essential to ensuring future generations can experience what past generations built and cherished. The stories of Owl’s Well—and all the cottages on Degrassi Point—are reminders that the lake is more than just a scenic backdrop. It is the heart of the community. Thanks to supporters like Stephen Gilbert, all is well at Owl’s Well but its future, like the future of Lake Simcoe, depends on care, attention, and a shared commitment to preserving what truly mat

Donor Love Month

Did You Know

Every winter we use 180,000 tonnes of salt. That is roughly the weight of the CN Tower.

The Salt Solution

Winter salt helps keep roads, sidewalks, and parking lots safe, but excessive use—far beyond what’s required—harms our environment and infrastructure. When salt melts snow and ice, it dissolves, and the chloride left behind flows into rivers, streams, and ultimately Lake Simcoe, where it cannot be removed. Aquatic monitoring shows a trend in rising chloride concentrations, especially in urban areas where levels often exceed Canadian water quality guidelines. In February 2025, Western Creek in Newmarket recorded over 26,000 mg/L of chloride—that’s saltier than the ocean which is typically 19,400 mg/L. Plants and animals in the Lake Simcoe watershed are adapted to fresh water, so these increasing chloride levels are detrimental. The most effective way to address this issue is by reducing how much winter salt we use. It takes far less salt to melt snow and ice than most people realize. A simple rule of thumb: If salt crunches under your feet and the pavement is dry, too much has been applied. You can be part of the salt solution by remembering the Three P’s: – Prepare: Shovel early to prevent ice buildup, wear proper winter footwear, use snow tires, and direct downspouts away from pavement.   – Be Patient: Winter conditions slow things down – plan ahead and expect delays. – Promote: If you see oversalting, talk to the property owner about its environmental impacts and encourage them to seek guidance from LSCRA or Smart About Salt®. Using less winter salt protects our water, saves money, and still keeps us safe. The solution is in our hands.

Make It Monthly

Small Gifts = Great Impact

A monthly gift is one of the most powerful ways to protect the Lake Simcoe Watershed. Steady, reliable support allows us to plan ahead, respond quickly to emerging environmental challenges, and invest in long‑term restoration work that creates real, lasting impact. It’s affordable, convenient, and creates a bigger impact over time. Become a monthly donor today and help protect Lake Simcoe now and for generations to come.

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