| New Year's Resolutions for Lakes and those who love them |
1) Get everyone in the boat:Is the lake you love being loved "to death"? If your lake and watershed need "help", be sure to get everyone in the boat to develop shared solutions.
2) Make 2013 the year you volunteer, or recruit new volunteers to your programs: My mom used to say "many hands make light work", this is true for volunteer monitoring, riparian projects, etc. Grass roots efforts can and do make a difference.
3) Resolve to lower your personal impact on the lake: Each of us can take positive actions to reduce or reverse negative effects on our lakes such as reducing lawn fertilizer application or modifying landscaping to eliminate shoreline erosion. You may start a positive neighborhood trend!
4) Focus on the future: We remember fondly how the lake "used to be", but it can be difficult to turn back the clock. Encourage behaviors that protect water quality and the environment today for the enjoyment of future generations.
5) Jump on in; the water's fine! This is the lake equivalent of take time to smell the roses. Make time to enjoy the lake. Watch a sunset, fish, or water ski. Have fun, relax, and lower your blood pressure.
By Ann Shortell,
President,
North American Lake Management Society
(reprinted with permission) |
| Guide to Reporting on Watershed Health Indicators Released |
 Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development recently released the The Guide to Reporting on Common Indicators Used in State of the Watershed Reports as a reference for groups reporting on conditions within their watershed. The guide sets out criteria and direction for consistent reporting on a subset of watershed health indicators commonly found in state of the watershed reports. The main audience for this document includes both Alberta's Watershed  | | Current Trophic Status Map |
Stewardship Groups and Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils. Specific to lakes, this report details common indicators for lake health such as nutrient concentration, trophic status, lake level, fish sustainability index, riparian health and several landscape indicators. The Guide to Reporting on Common Indicators Used in State of the Watershed Reports is a companion document to the Handbook for State of the Watershed Reporting released by Alberta Environment in 2008. The guide, the handbook, and other resources can be downloaded from the Water for Life website's Watershed Support Materials and Publications page at http://www.waterforlife.alberta.ca/02645.html. Hard copies are available from the Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Information Centre at 780-427-2700 or at env.infocent@gov.ab.ca |
| Alberta Water Council - Update | |
As the representatives for the Lake Conservation Sector, we have three Project Teams to report on and request actions from ALMS members:
Water For Life Implementation Review: Report Released Read the complete report and learn about progress made between 2009-2011 on achieving the Water For Life goals and the recommendations for moving forward.
Non Point Source Management In Alberta: Feedback Requested A project team was established to provide recommendations on how to better manage the total non-point source pollution (NPSP) loading in our watersheds to achieve Water for Life goals. As part of this project, the team was to assess the current state of NPSP knowledge and to examine the policy, practices, and regulatory tools that both can and/or have historically been employed to manage it. With this information, the team analyzed the gaps and opportunities to help advance efforts in managing the impacts of non-point pollution and, where appropriate, reducing it. Having completed its research and analyzed results, the Project Team is now seeking sector review and feedback on the draft recommendations report. The intent of this sector review is to identify any areas of concern where a sector cannot agree with what is in the report. Please let us know if you identify an issue in the report that you consider a "showstopper" and could not support. Download report (pdf) and fill in comments table (doc), then please return to ALMS by January 31, 2013. Aquatic Invasive Species: Call for New Project Team Volunteers The new Alberta Water Council project to explore how to safeguard Alberta's water supplies and ecosystems from Aquatic Invasive Species. Read the statement of opportunity, and nominate yourself or another ALMS member to be our representative on this project team. Submissions due by Feb 1, 2013. |
| ALMS is Hiring! |  The Alberta Lake Management Society requires three energetic individuals with science or environmental backgrounds for our LakeWatch Technician positions.
The work term will run for 5-6 months (full time from May 1st to mid-October). LakeWatch Technician travel to selected lakes throughout Alberta to collect water quality data. It is anticipated that one technician will be assigned specifically to Pigeon Lake, performing both lake and stream sampling for the development of a lake nutrient budget.
LakeWatch Technicians will be responsible for coordinating volunteers, who are essential for data collection. Technician positions have a strong field work component and, though based in Edmonton, will involve considerable driving throughout the province.
View Job Posting
Application Deadline: Feb 22, 2013 |
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How healthy is your lake?
| | Contact us if you would like to be a volunteer supporting the LakeWatch technicians and have the chance to learn more about the health of your lake. |
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| Call for Volunteers for Lake Education & Outreach | Respect Our Lakes, Cows & Fish, and ALMS are partnering to host an informational booth at both the Edmonton Boat and Sportsman Show and the Edmonton Outdoors Show in March.
We need volunteers who are lake stewards to help reach out and educate lake users on the many ways to keep our lakes clean.
Please contact Kerri or Arin if you or members of your group would be willing to man the booth for various shifts during the shows (March 14-17, two shifts per day).
This is a chance to spread your message to thousands of lake users and possibly recruit new members to your group.
Volunteers are also provided with free parking and admission into the shows and will be entered to win a Lake Health PrizePack valued at over $200. (If you've already replied, Thank You, we will be sending out a sign-up schedule soon) |
| Alberta Lake News |  |
Mandatory Ice Hut Registration. Sylvan Lake Management Council successfully worked to have the AB Urban Municipalities Association and the Association of Summer Villages pass a resolution urging the Government of Alberta to provide increased education and enforcement with regard to responsible ice fishing including the introduction of a mandatory registration program for ice fishing huts to assist in their timely removal from Alberta Lakes. The Alberta Fish and Game Association also approved and submitted a resolution on this same topic. Unfortunately the resolution submitted to the Alberta Assoc. of Rural Municipalities, put forth by the County of Lacombe, was defeated. More work to do before it becomes Provincial policy. Parkland County Development Appeal Board listens to stewardship group, denies development application. After listening to over 8 hours of evidence, the development appeal board for Parkland County decided that a proposed RV park on the shores of Mayatan Lake will not be in the best interest of the lake. Read the decision statement
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