Lake Windermere Project enters fifth year

IAN COBB, The Valley Echo
editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

The Lake Windermere Project (LWP), entering its fifth year of operations, remains on target.

Project coordinator, Wildsight’s Heather Leschied, informed District of Invermere council Feb. 24 that the five-year program is “on target to meet our goals for completion” and asked for municipal support in the continuation of LWP’s Lake Windermere Ambassador Program.

Leschied said the ambassador program was started in 2008 “to ensure the long-term viability of a healthy lake.” The program is “an avenue by which local residents, businesses and developers can contribute financially to the Lake Windermere Project.”

Another idea behind the establishment of the program was so “community members and organizations will feel more connected to the lake and keeping it healthy. Representatives from the recreation, resort, second home, government, local resident and youth sectors have committed to raising the funds required to ensure water quality monitoring continues beyond the project completion date,” Leschied explained. She added that the District of Invermere has “been a very supportive partner in our initiative by providing a sampling boat, offi ce space, assistance with events such as the annual shoreline cleanup, and expert advice.”

LWP began in 2005, after the DOI, Wildsight and the Global Nature Fund hosted the 9th International Living Lakes Conference at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

“The success of the conference was the catalyst for Wildsight receiving a one-time-only $100,000 grant from Environment Canada, which was only available over the fi rst two years of the program,” Leschied outlined, noting the minimum cost to run the project is approximately $80,000 - $100,000 a year.

“This would not include public education, but be based on required components such as lab analysis and fees and coordination. To date, we have been successful raising the required funds to run the program, however, since corporate donations and charitable giving has dropped by 50%, it will be a challenge to complete the program as the economic slowdown has curtailed our ability to secure funds,” she said, before asking council to support the Ambassadors Program again in 2009, “which will assist the project through its final year.”

Leschied said the fi nal year of the program will include: the implementation of a shoreline management guidelines; aquatic plant mapping and restoration activities.

LWP will also host lake and stream monitoring workshops for community members and conduct its annual Water Wonders Workshop at James Chabot Provincial Park.

“We will also complete a full scientifi c analysis of data collected to date, and develop a future monitoring program so that the community can continue to monitor water quality using knowledge and equipment supplied by the Lake Windermere Project. And heighten the profile of our lake by creating a Sister Lake Partnership with Windermere Lake, U.K., an initiative supported by the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce and the tourism community. We have a lot to share about our experiences, and our own mayor (Gerry) Taft was invited to attend the coming Living Lakes conference in England as keynote speaker,” Leschied noted.

Another success of the project, she told council is that via the Columbia Headwaters Legacy Program, LWP is “coordinating and facilitating the East Kootenay Integrated Lake Management Partnership, bringing together all levels of government for a collaborative approach to managing our lake resources.

“As a result of our efforts, Lake Windermere becoming the first in the East Kootenay to be mapped, documenting critical fish and wildlife habitats for protection. Lake Windermere is now being used as a pilot for mapping work on Moyie, Columbia, Wasa and Monroe Lakes. Because of our success provincially, we have also been used as a template for community-based lake stewardship by the International Living Lakes Network of the European Union,” she said. “It is a unique partnership that has produced tangible results that I hope will continue to work at protecting Lake Windermere for future generations,” she concluded.

Council expressed its gratitude and continued support for LWP. “We are all very appreciative of the work that has been done.

“We are morally and financially committed to the program,” stated mayor Taft.

Coun. Al Miller pointed out the importance of Lake Windermere to all valley residents.

“It is a very important asset we’ve got in this valley and we must protect it,” he said.

This article appeared in The Valley Echo on March 25, 2009. It is republished with permission.

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	Lake Windermere Project enters fifth year Tweet IAN COBB, The Valley Echo editor@invermerevalleyecho.com The Lake Windermere Project (LWP), entering its fifth year of operations, remains on target. Project coordinator, Wildsight’s Heather Leschied, informed District of Invermere council Feb. 24 that the five-year program is “on target to meet our goals for completion” and asked for municipal support in the continuation of LWP’s Lake Windermere Ambassador Program. Leschied said the ambassador program was started in 2008 “to ensure the long-term viability of a healthy lake.” The program is “an avenue by which local residents, businesses and developers can contribute financially to the Lake Windermere Project.” Another idea behind the establishment of the program was so “community members and organizations will feel more connected to the lake and keeping it healthy. Representatives from the recreation, resort, second home, government, local resident and youth sectors have committed to raising the funds required to ensure water quality monitoring continues beyond the project completion date,” Leschied explained. She added that the District of Invermere has “been a very supportive partner in our initiative by providing a sampling boat, offi ce space, assistance with events such as the annual shoreline cleanup, and expert advice.” LWP began in 2005, after the DOI, Wildsight and the Global Nature Fund hosted the 9th International Living Lakes Conference at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. “The success of the conference was the catalyst for Wildsight receiving a one-time-only $100,000 grant from Environment Canada, which was only available over the fi rst two years of the program,” Leschied outlined, noting the minimum cost to run the project is approximately $80,000 - $100,000 a year. “This would not include public education, but be based on required components such as lab analysis and fees and coordination. To date, we have been successful raising the required funds to run the program, however, since corporate donations and charitable giving has dropped by 50%, it will be a challenge to complete the program as the economic slowdown has curtailed our ability to secure funds,” she said, before asking council to support the Ambassadors Program again in 2009, “which will assist the project through its final year.” Leschied said the fi nal year of the program will include: the implementation of a shoreline management guidelines; aquatic plant mapping and restoration activities. LWP will also host lake and stream monitoring workshops for community members and conduct its annual Water Wonders Workshop at James Chabot Provincial Park. “We will also complete a full scientifi c analysis of data collected to date, and develop a future monitoring program so that the community can continue to monitor water quality using knowledge and equipment supplied by the Lake Windermere Project. And heighten the profile of our lake by creating a Sister Lake Partnership with Windermere Lake, U.K., an initiative supported by the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce and the tourism community. We have a lot to share about our experiences, and our own mayor (Gerry) Taft was invited to attend the coming Living Lakes conference in England as keynote speaker,” Leschied noted. Another success of the project, she told council is that via the Columbia Headwaters Legacy Program, LWP is “coordinating and facilitating the East Kootenay Integrated Lake Management Partnership, bringing together all levels of government for a collaborative approach to managing our lake resources. “As a result of our efforts, Lake Windermere becoming the first in the East Kootenay to be mapped, documenting critical fish and wildlife habitats for protection. Lake Windermere is now being used as a pilot for mapping work on Moyie, Columbia, Wasa and Monroe Lakes. Because of our success provincially, we have also been used as a template for community-based lake stewardship by the International Living Lakes Network of the European Union,” she said. “It is a unique partnership that has produced tangible results that I hope will continue to work at protecting Lake Windermere for future generations,” she concluded. Council expressed its gratitude and continued support for LWP. “We are all very appreciative of the work that has been done. “We are morally and financially committed to the program,” stated mayor Taft. Coun. Al Miller pointed out the importance of Lake Windermere to all valley residents. “It is a very important asset we’ve got in this valley and we must protect it,” he said. This article appeared in The Valley Echo on March 25, 2009. It is republished with permission.	Related Content Wildsight’s Lake Windermere Project recognized globally — again! Wildsight’s Lake Windermere Project Goes International Lake Windermere Project puts unfounded rumour to rest Lake Windermere Ambassadors deserve a big ‘Thank you’ Upcoming LakeKeepers workshop a “how-to” for stewards