FOCA Elert – August 2017 FOCA Program Updates & Recent Events Invasive Species Projects are Underway! This summer, FOCA is working with 27 member Associations on pilot projects aimed at addressing aquatic invasive species at the local level, as part of FOCA’s work with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on invasive species prevention. This past weekend, the Malcolm & Ardoch Lakes Landowners’ Association co-hosted an Aquatic Invasive Species Workshop with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. Shoreline residents learned about aquatic invasive species identification and prevention, as well as monitoring and reporting programs. This week, the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association (LOWDPOA) confirmed the second local bio-control release of beetles to combat purple loosestrife.  Read the media release from LOWDPOA. (PDF, 1 page) ________________ FOCA on the Radio across Cottage Country Keep your ears open this long weekend during “drive time” to hear FOCA’s new radio spot about preventing the spread of invasive species in cottage country. The ad will play over the next few weekends across cottage country, as well as in Toronto and Ottawa. Please let us know if you hear the ad, when, and on which station! For more about what YOU can do to help prevent the spread of invasive species, consult the Cottager Action Plan.      Please share this information! _______________ Lake Partner Program Scientific analysis of Lake Partner Program water samples takes place at the Dorset Environmental Science Centre, near Huntsville.  Read more about the ongoing important work of this lab: July 2017 – “Water Chemistry Lab” in FOCA’s 2017 Lake Stewards Newsletter – link to the digital edition (see: p.14) August 2017 – “Hidden science centre produces RESEARCH that makes a difference,” (download the PDF, 7 pages) from Unique Muskoka, August 2017 edition, p.25 onward. Find out more about the Lake Partner Program, and review data about your local water quality, here:  https://foca.on.ca/lake-partner-program-overview/ _______________ FOCA on the Road Again FOCA Board and Staff have been busy this summer, attending regional events and member Associations’ Annual General Meetings across cottage country! Here are some recent highlights: July 29, 2017 – FOCA participated in the Sharbot Lake Property Owners Association meeting, where water quality and septic re-inspections were hot topics. We were greeted by a great and enthusiastic crowd. July 29, 2017 – FOCA’s Cottage Succession Seminar series with estate lawyer Peter Lillico travelled to Jack’s Lake Association (Apsley) to talk about keeping the family in the cottage for the next generation. Get details about the one remaining 2017 in-person event, below (see: UPCOMING EVENTS). August 2, 2017 – FOCA took part in the second annual Hastings Highlands Stewardship Day in Maynooth. August 3, 2017 – FOCA participated in the Lake Networking Group workshop, “Understanding Water Quality Data,” in Perth. FOCA’s Gold-level Sponsors Upcoming Events & Regional Notices Climate Change in Muskoka: A Workshop about Extreme Weather and Shoreline Property Tues. August 8, 2017 – Huntsville. FOCA and other experts will speak at this event, brought to you by the Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources. Click the image at right to download details (PDF, 1 page). _______________   Lake Management Plan Open Houses Kawartha Conservation continues with public meetings to deliver key findings from local lake management plans, and to get feedback before the plan is finalized.    > Sat. August 12 – Coboconk, re: Head Lake Management Plan    > Sat. August 19 – Norland, re: Shadow Lake Management Plan Click here to download (PDF, 1 page) the event poster with location/time specifics. _______________ Water Ways Event Saturday, August 19, 2017 – Pakenham (south of Arnprior). You are invited to attend the Water Ways event at the Pakenham Fair, for “innovative rural and cottage water solutions.”  Click here to download the event poster with details. _______________ FOCA’s Cottage Succession Seminars Saturday, August 26, 2017 – hosted by the Halls & Hawk Lakes Property Owners  Association (Algonquin Highlands). Join FOCA at our final seminar this summer, featuring estate lawyer Peter Lillico speaking about “Keeping the ‘Family’ in the Family Cottage.” Learn what your family should do THIS YEAR, and what can wait for later. These events are FREE for FOCA Members!  Registration info is here:  https://foca.on.ca/cottage-succession/ _______________ Muskoka Second Home Survey The District of Muskoka would like to remind residents they are conducting the 2017 Muskoka Second Home Survey, currently available on the District’s website. The survey is intended to be completed by the owners of seasonal (non-permanent) homes in Muskoka. Deadline: August 31st. Given the significant cultural and economic impact that second home households have in Muskoka, the District needs this important information to better serve and plan for the community. Any questions can be directed to Sam Soja at 705-645-2100 ext.218 or secondhomestudy@muskoka.on.ca. Pass it along! _______________ FOCA Fall Seminar for Lake Associations Saturday, November 4th, 2017 – Toronto. SAVE THE DATE! for this day filled with lake association tips, shared stories and tools for success. This annual event has become a member-favourite, described as “energizing” and “inspiring.” Registration will open in September, with details coming in the next FOCA Elert. Policy & Advocacy Updates   Power Plan July 28th – FOCA’s Executive Director met with the Minister of Energy, Glenn Thibeault, following a “Power Hour” luncheon hosted by the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. FOCA seeks further information about future rate impacts as they relate to our rural membership. The Minister’s remarks were largely related to the new “Fair Hydro Plan.” This “25% reduction, on average” will impact Hydro One customers in very different ways. Some high use customers may save significantly more; most low use and seasonal customers will see little or no overall bill reductions, due to other changes especially in distribution rates. More news on cottage country electricity rates:  https://foca.on.ca/electricity-pricing/ Lake Environments   Algae Survey now open  FOCA and our partners at the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change are conducting a province-wide survey on algae. FOCA Lake Stewards were recently sent an email notice about the survey (or Association Presidents, where we lack a contact email for a lake steward). If you believe you should have received this, but didn’t, please contact the FOCA office. FOCA’s Silver-level Sponsors Association Tools   FOCA-LL Point Blog Check out our next blog post, titled “Volunteers Needed!” about challenges faced by one member lake association representative, working to find a way to attain that coveted title of Past President. Find out what your fellow Association members are doing, and add your questions and experiences to the conversation. Join us on the blog, here: https://foca.on.ca/news/blog/ _______________ Member Benefits Do your members know about all their FOCA benefits? There are discounts, special offers and more, including: 30% off online Coleman product purchases a free one-year membership to the Canadian Canoe Museum (that’s a $40 value) a substantial discount on Cottage Life magazine subscriptions access to the CottageFirst group insurance program, and more… See all your FOCA benefits online:  https://foca.on.ca/benefits/, or download a printable copy by clicking here. (PDF, 2 pages)   NOTE: to print a copy of the Benefits sheet that includes the ACCESS CODES for these offers, you will need to use your FOCA web Login on the Benefits webpage, or contact the office for assistance. Publications   A Shoreline Owner’s Guide to Invasive Species Print copies of this guide are now available to FOCA members. Please contact the FOCA office for copies you can distribute to your members, or access the digital edition by clicking here. _______________ image: MuskokaRegion.com courtesy Peninsula Lake Community Association The Importance of Lake Associations FOCA was pleased to see this article in the August edition of Muskoka Life Magazine, highlighting all the fun and good work being done by lake associations! Several of our member groups are mentioned. Link to the online version of the article, by clicking here. Waterfront Living The BIG importance of SMALL wetlands The wetlands around your cottage property do matter! As reported by Water Canada in July, new research from the University of Waterloo suggests smaller wetlands capture more nutrients. Click here to access the digital article. FOCA’s Bronze-level Sponsors About FOCA   Working with Partners FOCA is working this summer with Chelsea Xavier-Blower, a post-grad student of Fleming College’s Environmental Visual Communication program, to capture video, images and stories about cottage country lake associations. The intent is to create compelling visual media to inform and inspire people to connect with their local associations. We look forward to sharing the results of this work, later this year! Cade’s Corner   Av