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FOCA Elert - Labour Day Weekend 2016
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FOCA Fall Seminar - register now!
Reverse-Engineering Successful Lake Associations Join FOCA in Toronto on Saturday, November 12th for our Fall Seminar for members, devoted to tools and tips to strengthen Associations. Space is limited, and last year's event sold out!
Some comments from past event attendees & survey respondents:
~"The meetings are a great place to network! ... [with] excellent topical speakers."
~"FOCA is the 'hub' of the wheel of like-minded water related organizations." ~"Thank you for a great day. ... Still too excited to think."
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Lake Environments
Asian Carp found in Lake Erie
The Ontario Conservation Officers Association reported on August 29th that an Asian Carp was caught in the net of a commercial fisherman off Point Pelee a few days ago. Subsequent tests revealed the fish was fertile. Keep up-to-date on the Asian Carp issue, here: https://foca.on.ca/asian-carp/
Pictured at right: the Grass Carp found off Point Pelee. Image courtesy: Ontario Conservation Officers Association.
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West Nile Virus
The most recent statistics (as of August 20, 2016) compiled by Public Health Ontario show West Nile Virus has been detected in 94 batches of mosquitoes collected across the province. Almost one-third of these findings came during the week of August 14-20. To date in 2016, one human case of West Nile Virus has been reported in Ontario.
West Nile Virus is a disease carried by mosquitoes. For more information on West Nile Virus, its causes, symptoms, risks, treatment, and prevention, click here. To learn about West Nile surveillance, detection and history in Ontario, visit Public Health Ontario.
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Atypical Algae Decrease this week in Lake Erie
Historically, decreases in Lake Erie algae bloom intensity in late August are unusual, yet the folks at NOAA (the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) report that blooms have diminished this week in all areas of western Lake Erie, and toxin concentrations were found at levels well below recreational risk thresholds. This is the best condition going into Labour Day weekend since 2012. To download this week's report click here ( PDF, 2 pages).
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| | Blue-green algae image courtesy MOECC |
Blue-green Algae Blooms
Meanwhile, blue-green algae bloom reports on inland waters continue to emerge, including on Muskrat Lake in Renfrew County. There is a suspected bloom on Three Mile Lake in Muskoka. ( Download the Public Notice; PDF, 1 page)
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FOCA's Gold-level Sponsors
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Waterfront Living
Community Preparedness for Emergencies: Are We Ready? Ontario communities have different levels of readiness, and recent remarks from emergency management professionals suggest there is much work to be done. Get more information on the FOCA Emergency Preparedness webpage, and take appropriate steps to prepare yourself and your family.
Pictured: FOCA's Executive Director spoke at the North Bruce Coalition of Property Owners Assocations' meeting in July 2016, where emergency preparedness was a main topic of discussion.
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Upcoming Regional Events
Bruce Trail Geology Hikes
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Lake Links Workshop
Hold the date! The 2016 edition of the Lake Links Workshop will take place in Perth on Saturday, October 22nd, and FOCA will be participating in the day's scheduled talks. Stay tuned for more details in the next Elert.
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Wild About Nature Gala
On October 23rd, 2016 the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust is hosting the Wild About Nature Gala event. This annual celebration is a great opportunity to meet and celebrate this year's Enviro-Heroes, participate in live or silent auctions, and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner in the company of your local Land Trust community. Find out how to reserve your tickets, here: http://www.haliburtonlandtrust.ca/events-programs-2/wild-about-nature-gala-2016/
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FOCA's Silver-level Sponsors
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Recent Events
Cottage Succession Seminars
In recent weeks, FOCA held our final in-person seminars for 2016 on the topic of passing the cottage to the next generation. Estate lawyer Peter Lillico spoke on August 14th in Perth, and on August 21st in Irondale (Haliburton) about creating a cottage sharing agreement.
This fall, FOCA will release a video recording of the 2016 seminar, "Cottage Sharing Agreements," for those who were not able to join us in person, or who want to review this topic with family members. Contact the FOCA office to be updated when the new video is released!
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FOCA and Science Partners in Dorset
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FOCA and partners at Science Day
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On August 18, FOCA participated in an Inland Lakes & Northern Science Unit Science Day with our partners at the Dorset Environmental Science Centre (DESC). Presentations were made on inland lake research including the Lake Partner Program (LPP), understanding multiple stressors on lakes, Zooplankton eDNA research, long-term lake recovery studies, and more.
An Update about the Lake Partner Program: Christie Davies, the FOCA Assistant Lake Stewardship Coordinator at DESC reports that 1,160 water sampling kits have been received back at DESC this summer, resulting in approximately 2,320 Total Phosphorus samples run by the lab, and another 540 Calcium samples tested. Read more about the LPP and Christie's ongoing work on page 22 of the FOCA Lake Stewards Newsletter.
Lake Partners: please return your samples to DESC, if you haven't already! Many thanks to all the incredible volunteers who make this program such a success.
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Cade's Corner
Fall Reno Plans? If you are considering new construction or a renovation project, remember that insurance is an important piece of the puzzle that requires attention BEFORE work begins, to ensure your construction investment is properly protected. For more, see: http://cadeinsurance.com/2016/07/01/renovations-new-builds/
Members in more than 60 FOCA member Associations have already taken advantage of this great FOCA benefit: access to the CottageFirst group insurance package.
When will you get your quote, to find out if you could be saving too?
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Notices & Opportunities
Minden Hills: Public Consultation - Parks & Trails Plan
Council is seeking public input on the development of the Draft Master Parks and Trails Plan. Two surveys can be completed online, here: http://mindenhills.ca/master-parks-trails-plan/. Survey submission deadline is Tuesday, October 11th at noon. Results will be shared at a Public Meeting scheduled for October 24th in Minden.
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Funding for the 150th Anniversary of Confederation
Ontario is offering various funding programs for events and initiatives. Municipalities and community organizations (like our Lake Association members) are among the groups who will be able to access funds for programs designed to bring people together. Click links below for details & note the different deadlines!:
- Community Celebration Program - supporting communities and community organizations holding appropriate 150th Anniversary events or initiatives (apply by Sept.2, 2016)
- Community Capital Program - for municipalities and non-profit organizations to renovate, repair and retrofit existing community buildings (apply by Sept.14, 2016)
- Partnership Program - supporting collaborations that empower youth (apply by Sept.30, 2016)
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Performing Arts in Rural Communities
SPARC (the Symposium for Performing Arts in Rural Communities) will take place in Haliburton from October 27-30, 2016. Join discussions about creation, production and presentation of dance, theatre, music and media arts in rural settings. For details, visit: www.sparcperformingarts.com
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FOCA Member Benefits
Benefit Highlight: Canadian Canoe Museum
All FOCA members, including everyone in our member Associations as well as our Supporters, can receive a special offer from our partners at the Canadian Canoe Museum:
1 year free individual membership (a $30 value)
> includes discounts in the Museum store, and on Museum programs
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Note: The 2-page sheet about FOCA on the Benefits webpage could make a great article for your Association Newsletter! |
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FOCA's Bronze-level Sponsors
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About FOCA
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| | The last Award was presented to Jack's Lake Association in March 2016 |
FOCA Achievement Award - Nominate Now
It is time to nominate your Lake Association to be considered for the next FOCA Achievement Award! (The award will be presented at the FOCA Annual General Meeting in March, 2017.)
Whether your Association is large or small, this award celebrates the successes of the waterfront community across Ontario.
Nominations should be received by November 30th, 2016.
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Association Tools
Data Security for Lake Associations
Your Association likely collects various kinds of private information: names, email addresses, credit card numbers. How is this data stored? What are your obligations? Get some tips from the fantastic folks at TechSoup Canada, in this recent post targeted at non-profit organizations:
We want you to share FOCA's news updates and fact sheets. Members are always welcome to reproduce materials from Elerts, Newsletters and our extensive online resources. Please credit FOCA as the source, and include our web address, where possible: https://foca.on.ca
A Two-Way Conversation
What have you done lately to keep existing members and to attract new ones? We want to know! Please send FOCA an email update with your success stories.
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Publications from FOCA
2016 FOCA Lake Stewards Newsletter
The FOCA Lake Stewards Newsletter was recently mailed to the executive members of all of FOCA's member Associations. Topics include:
- Algal Blooms
- Water Quantity Communications
- Broadscale Monitoring & Lake Partner Program
- Involving Youth in Lake Associations
- and much more!
Contact FOCA if you'd like to reproduce an article in your Association newsletter!
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Happy Long Weekend!
FOCA is the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations, the voice of the waterfront for over 50 years
[email protected] | 705-749-3622 | https://foca.on.ca
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