Executive Director's Note

PATRICK PAULO

As the seasons change, so do your Association's activities. A summer bright and busy on the lake now turns to our staff and directors reflecting on LOWDSA's summer programs, getting busy with current programs, and taking initial steps to plan a solid start to the new year.

While digging through each of the previous four issues of Area News, I looked at how far our Association’s programs have progressed over the course of the year and eagerly look toward what is yet to come. As I reflect, I can't help but wonder how quickly the summer passed by and how we have taken our current programs and initiatives to a whole new level. The past eleven months have been quite the ride marked by plenty of first experiences, twists, turns, unexpected challenges, and new beginnings.

The year is ending and so does our first-ever Environment Program Coordinator (EPC) internship. Cassidy Mazur thrived in the EPC role. If you’ve been following Cassidy’s notes in the last four issues of Area News (including this one), you can see how our environmental programming has improved. This year, we saw more collaboration and creativity in our programs than ever before and hope to build on this success in 2022.

We are so proud of the work Cassidy has brought to the Association. Her role was essential in delivering LOWDSA's Mobile Boat Wash Station, zebra mussel monitoring program, and helping us increase our communication with members via social media. Her work, attitude, and conversation will surely be missed and we wish her all the best in her new ventures. You can read Cassidy's farewell note on page 11.

You’ll also see some improvements in our membership renewal process. We've been listening to your feedback and we are very happy to apply your thoughts and simplify our membership forms to make them more convenient for you. Expect to see letters and postcards from LOWDSA in the mail soon. As always, you can renew your membership in many ways, including phone, email, mail, or auto-renew. If you haven't received your renewal package, you can renew your membership, order your seedlings, purchase gift memberships for friends, and contribute to the EISP fund on the form we've included on page 14. To learn more about your Association's plans for next year and beyond, please see page 10.

As your stewardship association continues to adapt and enhance our programs, we thank everyone who has given us feedback along the way. If you have a story to share, interesting photos or exciting anecdotes, questions to ask, or comments and suggestions about any aspect of our programs, we welcome your calls and emails. Please share your thoughts, ideas, and advice with us by emailing membership@lowdsa.com.

We wish you another safe, happy, and healthy new year and hope you enjoy this issue of Area News.