SAVE THE DATES MAC 2024 BEGINS !!
INTERESTED IN JOINING ??
Hello and Welcome on behalf of the Wollaston Lake Home and Cottage Association (WLHCA), to the Milfoil Action Committee!!
Joanne Pozniak here, Chair of the Milfoil Action Committee sending a reminder for the start up for the 5th season 2024
Below you will find a summary of the committee goals, proposed meeting dates, etc. Have a read and kindly reply to let me know if you or anyone else you know would like to be added to the communication list for this season's meetings.
OUR GOAL AS A COMMITTEE:
The overall goal of this committee is to provide short-term actionable recommendations for the upcoming cottage season to support milfoil mitigation and remediation activities to the WLHCA by July 15, 2022. It is also important that all efforts and recommendations reflect and address the needs of all Wollaston lake citizens.
OUR FOCUS AS A COMMITTEE:
To address our current milfoil issues within Wollaston Lake and upstream/downstream Deer River, future committee meetings will be structured around the following:
(1) Ways to promote invasive species (milfoil) education programs for all those who use the lake.
(2) Ways to develop awareness effort on containment best practices.
(3) Ways to promote how to properly self-manage areas around waterfront property.
(4) How to develop fundraising efforts to support the cost of containment activities.
MEETING DATES:
At this time, the first meeting will be on THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024
Tentative future dates, times and discussion topics:
Thursday, April 25 from 7-8 pm (Focus items 1 & 2)
Thursday, May 30 from 7-8 pm (Focus items 3 & 4)
Thursday, June 27 from 7-8 pm (Review and finalize actionable recommendations for Lake Association)
***These dates and times are subject to change, based on discussions to be had at the first meeting.
FUTURE COMMUNICATION:
All committee communication will take place using Zoom communication. Zoom allows you to participate online on a personal device of your choice or using a phone line. Look for your Zoom invitation in your inbox. See specific instructions on how to participate within the invitation.
MILFOIL AND WOLLASTON LAKE:
Since the 2017 confirmation of the presence of Eurasian Milfoil, Wollaston Lake has seen the spread of Eurasian Milfoil in several areas of the Lake. We have conducted workshops, purchased equipment available on loan for manual removal, installed benthic mats in the big lake, and continue to set up markers to warn boaters of some of these most prominent Milfoil Beds (based on bed size and location related to recreational boat traffic). We are working to get permits from the MNRF to support containment methods including mechanical harvesting, diver extraction, and benthic mat deployment.
We understand for some cottagers, areas in and around their docks have become increasingly dense. We have provided some equipment including rake and booms to support self-management for these areas within established time frames and guidelines.
However, we feel there is more that can be done. Containment activities require funding. The community can benefit from more awareness and additional education. Waterfront citizens can help through effective self-management in front of their property.
SOME RECOMMENDED RESOURCES TO REVIEW BEFORE OUR FIRST MEETING:
See 2 **** at the bottom of this email. The following resources are recommended to be reviewed BEFORE the first meeting to encourage a productive discussion. Members will also be encouraged to share resources as we collaborate during future discussions.
***Wollaston Lake Home and Cottage Association: HOME PAGE
***QUESTIONS TO PONDER BEFORE OUR FIRST MEETING:
Please take some time to think about the following three open statements (fill in the blanks), as everyone will be asked to share their answers as part of the opening discussion during the first meeting. Responses will be documented and used to help guide future meeting discussions to ensure all lake health concerns are considered.
1) My favourite thing/memory about Wollaston Lake _________________________________.
2) I joined or would like to join this committee because ___________________________________________.
3) I would like ______________________________________accomplished by the end of the this summer.
Thank you again for your time and participation in this committee. I look forward to meeting and working with you on Thursday, March 28th!
Sincerely,
Joanne Pozniak
Milfoil Action Committee, Chair
WLHCA, Member at Large
joannepozniak@gmail.com
