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.

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.

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.

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. • 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. • 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. • 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.

Here's just some of what's in it for you!

LakeSmart One-on-one, customized onsite visits. Living green at the lake. Info, tools and resources to help you protect your legacy.

Blue-Green Algae

Blue-green algae can steal your precious lake time. How to keep your lake clean and safe for swimming, drinking and pets.

Stop Invasive Species

Invasive species can take over your favourite fishing hole (and habitat), dock access and lake stops. Tips, tools & best practices to identify them and prevent their spread.

Lake Life Resources

Easy access to just about anything you want to know about lake life. If we don’t have the answer we’ll help you find it or connect you with the person who can.

Area News Magazine

Connecting you to ’the lake’ year round. In your hands or online. Local stories, all about lake life, and issues you’re interested in.

There are four ways you can renew your membership, order seedlings, purchase gift memberships or contribute to the EISP fund:

Online

Login at lowdsa.com/login. Forgot your password? Contact us!

By email, mail or phone...

See the form (and all relevant contact information) on the next page.

Questions? Need help to renew online?

Shelley Bujold, Assistant E.D. & Membership Coordinator: Phone: 807-468-8715 or toll-free 1-888-265-9784 Email: shelley@lowdsa.com

Thinking of Selling your Waterfront Property? Call me directly for assistance and qualified experience at 807-466-2236.

Private Island

$795,000

1.95 ac, 1729’ frontage, approx. 900 sq ft main cottage, guest cabin, lots of newer upgrades 2.5 acres with 2600’ of shoreline Approx. 700 sq ft cottage South facing 1.5 acres with 164’ frontage

Private Island

$575,000

Lot 2 French Narrows

$119,000

Private Point

$2,950,000

Private Island

$729,000

Winnipeg River

$299,000

Your continued support of LOWDSA's programs & initiatives does make a difference. Thank you!

We’ve been listening to you & paying attention to what you’re telling us is important to you:

1. Responsive to member concerns 2. Familiar activities

SEEDLINGS, METAL WASTE DAY

3. Relevant & informative magazine 4. Growing & moving forward beyond the status quo 5. New environmental initiatives

MOBILE BOAT WASH STATION

6. New & enhanced programs

LAKESMART, WEBINARS

7. Fiscally responsible

All this comes at a cost. In order to meet LOWDSA’s commitment to deliver on all this, combined with the reality of basic operating cost increases, the annual cost of LOWDSA membership has increased to $60 for full membership ($52 for virtual).

PLUS GIFT MEMBERSHIPS & SEEDLINGS

YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Select either a Full Membership (magazine mailed) or a Virtual Membership (digital magazine).  1 Year Full Membership ($60)  2 Year Full Membership ($120)  1 Year Virtual Membership ($52)  2 Year Virtual Membership ($104)

Not renewing? Please let us know why not...

total $

EISP Fund

Please take a moment to consider contributing to the EISP Fund.

Your contribution to the Environmental Initiatives & Special Projects (EISP) Fund will allow us to continue providing our well-known and highly regarded programs and services.

Contributions to the EISP Fund can also be made online any time at lowdsa.com/campaigns/eisp.

 $500  $250

 $100  $50

 Other $______________

total $

Red Pine Seedlings

LOWDSA members planted 10,000 seedlings in 2020 and over 300,000 since this program was launched. Please indicate a pick-up location and how many bundles (each with 15 seedlings) you would like to order.

PICK-UP DATE: Saturday, June 5 from 10AM - 1PM

 Clearwater Bay (Firehall)  Storm Bay Rd. (Firehall)

# OF BUNDLES __________ AT $10 EACH

total $

Gift Memberships

Please fill out recipient’s information, and select Full or Virtual Membership. Name

Email

Address

City State/Prov Zip/PC Country Phone

 Please send gift card with message:

 FULL MEMBERSHIP ($60)  VIRTUAL MEMBERSHIP ($52)

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LOGIN to lowdsa.com to renew online—auto-renew option now available. You can also mail completed form to the address below, or scan and email to shelley@lowdsa.com.

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Payment Options

PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO LOWDSA

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Address

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Card #_______________________________ Name on card __________________________ Expiry (mm/yy) ____ / ____ CVC (required) _____

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