Environment

AQUATIC PLANTS GUIDE

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(second edition, 2023)

by Kawartha Lake Stewards Association

KLSA is a nonprofit volunteer organization formed over 20 years ago to monitor the water quality of the Kawartha Lakes. Volunteers conduct water quality tests across many Kawartha Lakes, including Sturgeon, and the results are published in KLSA’s annual Report. All the annual reports, and other specialty publications, are available on the KLSA website.

Most recently, KLSA has published the second edition of the Aquatic Plants Guide. This guide is a well-produced and very informative booklet, with photographs, illustrations and vital information about the many aquatic plants (don’t call them weeds) in our ecosystem.

Hard copies of the Guide are available on request, free of charge. Some copies have been placed in the SPA Publications Boxes by the Community Bulletin Boards.  It should also be available on the KLSA website in due course.

KLSA is supported entirely by donations and volunteering. All support is welcome.

Funding now available for environmental projects in the Kawartha Conservation watershed

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If you are a property owner, non-profit organization, or community group in the Kawartha Conservation watershed, you may be eligible to receive funding and technical assistance in support of a future environmental project through the 2023 Water Fund.

Now open for applications, the 2023 Water Fund is a grant program that aims to support environmental projects in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Townships of Scugog, Brock, and Clarington that have the potential to positively impact water quality or ecosystem health.

The deadline to apply is Sunday, April 30, 2023.

To learn more about the program, find inspiration for your project, review eligibility guidelines and apply, visit our Landowner Grants or Community Grants page or contact Danielle Marcoux-Hunter by email or phone at 705-328-2271 ext. 242.

The full article is available on the Kawartha Conservation website.

2023 Tree Seedling Sale is now open

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Kawartha Conservation’s 2023 Tree Seedling Sale is now open, offering a wide selection of low-cost evergreen and deciduous trees, as well as shrubs and several advancing species to landowners throughout the Kawartha Conservation watershed, including portions of the Kawartha Lakes, Trent Lakes, Brock and Scugog Townships, Clarington, and Cavan-Monaghan.

Those interested in spring planting can order tree seedlings through our website before the closing date of March 17, 2023, at 4pm.

The 2023 order form, as well as detailed information on pricing and conditions, is available at www.kawarthaconservation.com/TreeSales.

Read the full article on the Kawartha Conservation website.

Fireworks – Love ’em or Hate ’em

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Editorial by Cat Medici, President, Sturgeon Point Association

Is it just me or does it seem like there are more private fireworks displays these days?  Every occasion seems to be a cause worthy of celebrating with pretty explosives: it’s a holiday, it’s a weekend, Sandra got a promotion, little Joey took his first steps… 

There was a time that I looked forward to fireworks; a time when we got to see them twice a year, at Victoria Day and Canada Day.  Now I shake my head every time I see them across the lake or coming from my neighbourhood park on a seemingly uneventful day.  Not because I’m against fireworks but because it has become too much. 

What has also recently come into my awareness is how fireworks, especially large fireworks displays, affects wildlife.  I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner, because my own dog shakes and finds a place to hide deep in the basement when he hears fireworks.  I consider myself a smart, empathetic person and I never made the connection that wildlife may respond as negatively as my dog. 

Ontario Nature Magazine has a blog about fireworks written by Enid Mallory called “Protecting Ontario’s Lakes From Fireworks” that was published in advance of NYE.   

I’m not advocating for a total fireworks ban on behalf of myself or as the voice of SPA.  I am advocating for education on all things environment so people can make educated choices about issues that affect the welfare of the Kawartha Lakes and broader environment.  There will always be opinions on both sides that can be backed up or refuted with studies and facts and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. 

Love ’em or hate ’em, it’s definitely a subject to think about.