Strong connections help advance LOWDSA’s stewardship and environmental initiatives BY CASSIDY MAZUR, ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM COORDINATOR, LOWDSA As I reflect on this past summer, certain experiences stand out from others. We had a busy season, yet with so many different activities and initiatives happening, what I appreciate above all else is the connections I have made.
• We stencilled storm drains in various locations, stopping to chat with folks along the way about how diverting pollution from our streets and yards subsequently diverts it from entering our waterways.
I have had the privilege to work alongside the passion of so many like-minded people in the LOWDSA community. The warm greetings the LakeSmart team and I received during dock visits, the many inspiring conversations with our members and the public, the collaborative efforts with all of our partner organizations, the support and connections with our sponsors, and of course, working closely with the LOWDSA team, have all been essential to our success on top of being memorable to me.
• We had over 130 people attend our live virtual events, including two webinars with IISD-Experimental Lakes Area to get to know the latest on microplastics and algal blooms, and a Forestry 101 Panel Discussion; reaching even more people that watched the recordings on our YouTube channel.
My family camp in Nestor Falls on a small lake is a very different “Lake Life” experience than this past season has been for me. Being immersed in the community in more high-use areas and events has allowed me to witness the different ways people use the lake; it has shown me how the land and water have shaped peoples’ lives. I didn't think it was possible for me to become more passionate about protecting the environment in Lake of the Woods. Having a window into so many of the unique and diverse lives people have built around the lakes has added a layer of appreciation for how vital this protection is. I understand the need for stewardship of the Lake of the Woods district more than ever, and as our name suggests, the importance of the work LOWDSA does. I am confident that anyone reading this is a steward of the area in your own way and LOWDSA's vision likely resonates with you: "To preserve one of the most beautiful places on earth as a high quality environment for future generations to enjoy." I specialize in environmental education because that line is far easier said than done and giving people information and resources to help them become better stewards is incredibly rewarding.
• We reached shoreline residents in various locations through LakeSmart's dock visits, dozens of children through our guest programming at the Kenora Rec Centre's Day Camp, hundreds of people at the Matiowski Farmers Market and the Open Markets, thousands through our various social media platforms where we shared information about shoreline buffer zones, reducing run-off, septic systems, using eco-friendly cleaning products, preventing the spread of invasive species, safe boating, and more. • We planted hundreds of trees at Camp Stephens. • We removed lots of the invasive purple loosestrife from Coney Island and distributed 50 settlement samplers in the area for early detection of zebra mussels. • We recycled waste at our Metal Waste Collection Day. • Finally, we launched the area's first Mobile Boat Wash Station, decontaminating boats of invasive species and educating boating enthusiasts on how to prevent their spread. Each of these initiatives contributes to the stewardship of the area, and I enjoyed being a part of them all. I am looking forward to continuing our activities throughout the fall, albeit on a smaller scale without the summer LakeSmart team.
When it comes to LOWDSA's environmental programs and outreach, I don't just see one successful initiative. I see a ripple effect of positive impacts that might last a lifetime and beyond. Take LOWDSA's annual Seedling Day for example. Every year 10 thousand trees get distributed in the area. That is a huge accomplishment on its own, but the memory I have of my grandparents taking my sister, cousins, and I out to plant pine trees from LOWDSA when I was about seven years old shows me the ripple effect of the program. Those trees are now part of the ecosystem, in addition to being a part of my journey with stewardship that I have carried with me throughout my life. As I give updates on some of our activities, I will leave it to your imagination what ripple effects each of them might create: • We did three shoreline cleanups, diverting bags upon bags of litter and waste from our lakes. During our first cleanup on an especially chilly morning, a community member brought our team hot chocolate.
Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association LOWDSA
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