1

BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS)

c/o 1257 Erskine Street

Coquitlam, BC V3B 6R3

Phone: 604.474.2441

Toll Free: 1.877 BC LAKES

E-mail: info@bclss.org

Visit us on the web: www.bclss.org

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016

LakeKeepers 2016

T he BCLSS received funding from the Boag Foundation

this year to conduct four LakeKeepers workshops. The first

was held April 30th - May 1st at Vancouver Island University

and was facilitated by the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere

Region Research Institute (MABRRI). Classroom sessions

were held at VIU and field training and demonstrations at

Long Lake near Nanaimo. VIU Communications issued an

article on the workshop that can be found on the next page.

A second LakeKeepers workshop was held as part of the

Wings Over the Rockies conference in Invermere, BC. The

workshop took place at the Spirits Reach Community Hall

near Columbia Lake on May 12th - 13th and was facilitated

by members of the Columbia Lake Stewardship Society (a

BCLSS member group).

We were privileged to have Dr. David Schindler attend the

second workshop and provide a talk on the importance of

controlling phosphorus in the protection of lake

water quality. Dr. Schindler is one of the world’s

most well known and respected limnologists. He

was a professor at the University of Alberta and

one of the leading researchers at the Experi-

mental Lakes Area / Freshwater Institute who

conducted important research regarding lake

ecology. He has retired to the Invermere area

but expressed interest in the LakeKeepers

workshop and we were very grateful to have

him there to share his knowledge and insight.

If you are interested in holding a LakeKeepers

workshop in your area, please contact the

BCLSS office.

By Rick Nordin

JULY’S FEATURES PAGE

LakeKeepers 2016 1 MABRRI LakeKeepers 2 - 3 NALMS 2016 4 Illumination & Upgrade from Oil to Heat Pump 5 Spotlight: Victoria Golden Rods and Reels Fishing and Social Club 6 CBWM Survey & BCLSS Reminders 7 Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans 8 Watersheds 2016 9

BCLSS BUSINESS

BCLSS Membership / Sponsorship Form 10 Nominations for Board of Directors 11 Announcements 12

On Columbia Lake in the rain. Left to Right: Dr David

Schindler, Tracy Flynn and Tom Dance of the Columbia Lake

Stewardship Society and BCLSS director Heather Lescheid.

Photo credit: Rick Nordin.

2

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016 BC Lake Stewardship Society

MABRRI LakeKeepers

A fter a tough year at university most students look forward to a summer free of exams and assignments. But for

six Vancouver Island University (VIU) student researchers, rest and relaxation will have to wait. Together with VIU geog-

raphy professor Dr. Matt Bowes and support from VIU’s Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute

(MABRRI), they are launching a lake monitoring program this summer to determine the health of two lakes within the

Regional District of Nanaimo.

To prepare the team for the project, MABRRI staff arranged for a special workshop to be held in Nanaimo. Called Lake-

Keepers, the course is run by the non-profit organization BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS). It included classroom

instruction and field work out on Nanaimo’s Long Lake.

VIU geography student Ryan Frederickson is the summer lake monitoring program team leader. He was also one of the

students who completed the LakeKeepers course.

“The course was perfect because we got hands on experience with the equipment we will be using this summer.

Things like a benthic grab used to take samples from the bottom of the lake, a Secchi disk to determine water clarity,

temperature PH and dissolved oxygen, and much more,” said Frederickson.

“The classroom component really helped us to understand how to set up an effective lake stewardship and monitoring

project. I really enjoyed learning how to use the equipment and getting out on Long Lake with people from the commu-

nity.”

One of the goals of LakeKeepers is to train citizens to monitor lakes in their areas. Retired University of Victoria adjunct

professor Rick Nordin is a lake chemistry and biology expert. He is also the LakeKeepers instructor.

By Dane Gibson. Reprinted with permission.

Group photo (with some workshop participants missing), April 30, 2016 at Long Lake in Nanaimo. Photo credit: Rick Nordin.

3

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016 BC Lake Stewardship Society

“The idea behind LakeKeepers and the BCLSS began 20 years ago when we encountered a number of individuals and

lakeshore owners who wanted assistance from government to monitor lakes,” said Nordin. “Resources were limited

so the question was posed to the local citizens about the possibility of their doing the sampling themselves – with

training and support from either government or an independent non-governmental organization.”

Nordin says the BCLSS was formed to facilitate citizens conducting lake sampling in order to answer questions they

had about lake quality, deterioration or concerns about contamination. Over the past eight years they have conducted

four LakeKeeper workshops a year and trained more than 300 people to monitor BC lakes. As for Long Lake, samples

collected by the class show it’s in pretty good shape.

“The field trip to Long Lake showed that the lake had excellent water quality and biological indicators,” said Nordin.

“But there is a concern about the lake because of watershed development and heavy use so it does need more sam-

pling throughout the summer to arrive at a more definitive diagnosis.”

MABRRI’s mandate is to strengthen connections with community members who live within the biosphere and promote

citizen-science. For that reason, the LakeKeepers class was open to members of the public.

Citizen-scientist Catherine Watson is a retired biologist who jumped at the chance to participate. She is on two Re-

gional District of Nanaimo committees that look at agricultural, parks and open space land use. She says taking the

course has made her more aware of what questions she should be asking to protect land and water resources.

“I learned a lot about watershed assessment and the importance of looking at the big picture,” said Watson. “I really

liked the review the instructor did of how precious our freshwater is on this planet. We really have to take stock of the

lakes we have to notice changes that take place in the future.”

The MABRRI summer lake monitoring prgram will get underway next month and was made possible thanks to a grant

provided through the VIU Research Awards Committee. For more information about LakeKeepers, please visit the

BCLSS website.

Dane Gibson, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University, P: 250.740.6529 | E: dane.gibson@viu.ca

Okanagan Cider Co. www.okanagancider.ca

Mark Anthony Brands

BCLSS Diamond Sponsor

4

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016 BC Lake Stewardship Society

5

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016 BC Lake Stewardship Society

U p to $1,700 per home is available to help British Columbians upgrade from oil heating to efficient electric air

source heat pumps through the Oil to Heat Pump Incentive Program.

The program is funded by the B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines’ Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund and adminis-

tered by City Green Solutions, a non-profit energy efficiency organization.

Why upgrade to a heat pump?

Great Savings: a heat pump typically lowers your energy bills by 40 to 75%, paying for itself through heating bill

savings.

Safe Operation: removing your oil tank reduces the financial and environmental risks of a home oil tank spill.

Smaller Footprint: upgrading to a heat pump dramatically shrinks your home’s greenhouse gas emissions –

more than not driving a car for 15 years!

Home Comfort: a heat pump provides comfortable, clean, and

affordable heating and cooling year round.

Who Qualifies and How Do I Apply?

Visit www.oiltoheatpump.ca or call 1.877.545.6247 to learn more.

Upgrade from Oil to Heat Pump and Save!

R ecently released by the POLIS Project, the research re-

port Illumination: Insights and Perspectives for Building Effective Wa-

tershed Governance in B.C. is a forward looking and in-depth analysis

of perspectives, emerging trends and opportunities associated with

watershed governance and water sustainability in British Columbia. It

specifically highlights capacity needs and practical tools required to

implement watershed governance across B.C. but also shows a mod-

el for the legal and institutional evolution of water, watersheds and

governance across Canada—and indeed globally.

This research confirms that although a genuine window of opportuni-

ty exists to kick-start a world-class watershed governance regime in

British Columbia, considerable knowledge and capacity gaps still ex-

ist for fully turning the concept into practice. Through an extensive

investigation involving interviews, surveys, and a First Nations

Roundtable, the Illumination study provides critical insights into the

question: “What is needed NOW to make watershed governance

work in British Columbia?”

To download a copy, click: Illumination: Insights and Perspectives for

Building Effective Watershed Governance in B.C..

Illumination: Insights and Perspectives for Building Effective Watershed Governance in B.C.

From Spring 2016 Newsletter: POLIS Water Sustainability Project received via email June 28, 2016.

6

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016 BC Lake Stewardship Society

Spotlight: Victoria Golden Rods

and Reels Fishing and Social Club

V ictoria Golden Rods and Reels Fishing and Social Club was honoured on Monday, June 13th, 2016 when it re-

ceived a Saanich Environmental award. It was one of 7 awards given out at the Saanich Council meeting. The club

was recognized in the Volunteer Organization category for its work on water quality research and stewardship at Elk/

Beaver Lake.

Over the last 3 years the club has raised $30,000 for scientific studies of water quality issues and remediation op-

tions . Working closely with an Intergovernmental Steering Committee (Provincial, Capital Regional District, and Dis-

trict of Saanich) the club managed a dedicated group of volunteers from the fishing and rowing communities who

have contributed over 2,000 hours of volunteer labour and supplied boats to support scientific work on the lake.

The club’s efforts have also included hosting a Lake Stewardship Course, a public forum at UVic’s Environmental Law

Centre, and successfully working with the CRD towards a Project Coordinator position and new weed harvester. The

long-term effects of their efforts and the increased health of the lake will benefit recreational activities as well as the

aquatic ecosystems of Elk/Beaver Lake.

Club members also volunteer at the Goldstream fish hatchery. The Goldstream Volunteer Salmonid Enhancement

Association also received an award in the Sustainability category.

www.goldenrodsandreels.com

Article submitted by Mick Collins

Thank You to Our Generous Annual BCLSS Silver Sponsors:

Hoskin Scientific Ltd. Tolko Industries Ltd. Golder Associates Ltd.

Above: Left to right, Mick Collins, Mayor Richard Atwell, and Councillor

Dean Murdoch. Right: Mick Collins (L) and Robert McConnell (R), Co-

chairs, Elk/Beaver Lake Initiative. Photo credit (for both): Marg Palmer.

7

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016 BC Lake Stewardship Society

Y ou are invited by Living Lakes Canada, Si-

mon Fraser University, and Acadia University to

participate in an online survey about community-

based water monitoring (CBWM) in Canada. The

purpose of this survey is to address the current

lack of information available about water moni-

toring programs across the country. In doing so,

they hope to learn how many monitoring pro-

grams are currently running, where these pro-

grams are located, what they are testing for, how

they are funded, and what can be done to ensure

data is used effectively to improve local water

quality and source water protection.

Findings from the survey will be shared (if you

wish) by the end of September 2016. The results

will help provide a national scan of water moni-

toring activities, which has the potential to raise

Community Based Water Monitoring Survey

Photo credit: Dawn Roumieu. Deer Lake, Sasquatch Provincial Park.

BCLSS Reminders

the profile of the significance of this work while also revealing key lessons and opportunities to better support com-

munity-based monitoring.

The survey was created in a partnership between Living Lakes Canada, Simon Fraser University, and Acadia Universi-

ty and is a collaborative effort of individuals and organizations working to protect freshwater. Please join in our col-

lective efforts to help improve community-based water monitoring by taking 10-15 minutes to fill out the following

survey.

https://sfu.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/45-532db5714d90cd49a934b82596e/cbm-survey/

CanadaHelps — Making Donations Simple

Did you know that CanadaHelps will allow you to make scheduled monthly donations? It’s an easy way to ensure your

favourite charities receive your ongoing support throughout the year! Once it is set up, the scheduled donations

(e.g.,$25/month) will be automatically processed each month on the day of your choosing. Please go to https://

www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/british-columbia-lake-stewardship-society/ for more info!

2016 Secchi Dip-In: It’s not too late to participate in the 23rd annual Secchi Dip-In which runs July 1st - 31st, 2016.

Participate and put YOUR lake on the map. More information can be found at www.bclss.org/newsevents/events/222

-dip-in-2016.html

Volunteer Accident Insurance: If you are a new lake monitor, or have not previously signed a waiver for our volunteer

accident insurance, please contact the BCLSS office. Coverage is available to all of our actively monitoring volun-

teers, and is solely an accident insurance policy (i.e. not a liability insurance policy, which is usually associated with

your boat or homeowners insurance). Please mail or scan and email your completed waiver to the BCLSS office. If

you have already submitted a waiver in the past, you do not need to resubmit another waiver. Thank you!

8

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016 BC Lake Stewardship Society

Mary Lake

If you are interested in helping clean up your local lake, why

not join or organize an event as part of the

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup?

In 2015, 3,211 kilometres of shoreline were cleaned and 15,776 bags were filled!

More information can be found at www.shorelinecleanup.ca.

D ivers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans was formed almost by chance in November of 2013 when divers Jonathan

Martin and Henry Wang went for a dive at Buntzen Lake in Port Moody, BC During their dive, they discovered a tre-

mendous amount of garbage resting at the bottom of the lake. The garbage bags every responsible diver usually car-

ries on a dive were quickly filled to capacity.

The amount of garbage at the bottom of the lake

was so overwhelming for the duo that they returned

with twice as many divers. The second clean effort

while satisfying, still only made a dent in the gar-

bage pile at the bottom of the lake. Through social

media, Henry and Jonathan’s mission caught the

attention of their dive friends who eagerly pitched in

to see if they could remove all of the garbage. Many

dive trips later, the team of dive volunteers not only

removed a significant amount of garbage from

Buntzen Lake - over 1,700lbs of garbage; they also

became motivated them to start cleaning some oth-

er local lakes. Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans

was formed and the group was on a mission.

Between November 2013 and July 2014, they removed 7,700 lbs of garbage by executing dives all over the Lower

Mainland, in lakes such as Rice Lake, Buntzen Lake, Browning Lake, Cat Lake, Alice Lake, and even as far as Whistler

at Lost Lake and Alta Lake. To date, 55 clean up dives have been performed and 18,929.8 pounds of garbage have

been removed.

Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans has attracted the attention of many like-minded individuals as well as local com-

panies with environmental stewardship programs. EEC Industries and Arc’teryx have generously provided sponsorship

support.

In the coming years, the volunteer divers of Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans, will work hard to continue making a

positive impact on both our freshwater resources as well as our local oceans by continuing to perform cleanup dives

on regular basis. They hope that you can join them for one of their events or contribute to their fundraising efforts.

Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans Retrieved from www.cleanerlakes.com, July 11, 2016

Photo credit: Dawn Roumieu. Buntzen Lake .

Retrieved from www.shorelinecleanup.ca, July 18, 2016.

9

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016 BC Lake Stewardship Society

Watersheds 2016 Building capacity for collaboration and watershed governance in British Columbia

W atersheds 2016 is a 1.5 day forum that builds directly on the learnings and successes of Watersheds

2014. Through panel sessions, field trips, breakout workshops and structured peer-to-peer learning, participants

will build skills and enhance capacity for watershed governance in British Columbia.

The agenda reflects identified water community needs and priorities, with a focus on the following topics:

New Water Sustainability Act planning and governance opportunities

Collaborative governance

Environmental flows and communities

Sustainable funding for watershed governance

Practical governance tools

Indigenous-led planning and governance initiatives

Water ethics and cross-cultural values

Building capacity for collaboration and watershed governance in BC

This forum will bridge with and complement the Living Waters Rally

2016, a national event to be hosted by the Canadian Freshwater

Alliance from September 27th – 30th, 2016.

Learn more about the rally online:

www.freshwateralliance.ca/lwr16.

When and Where

September 30th - October 1st, 2016

Simon Fraser University Wosk Centre for Dialogue.

Vancouver, BC

Who Should Attend

Those who want to get engaged, be inspired or make a difference in their watersheds. Students, youth and young pro-

fessionals are encouraged to participate.

Registration

For registration details, please visit the forum website. www.watersheds2016forum.wordpress.com

Retrieved from https://watersheds2016forum.wordpress.com/ July 11, 2016.

A.G. Appel Enterprises Ltd.

Cariboo Environmental Quality Consulting Ltd.

Cariboo Envirotech Ltd.

Agua Consulting Inc.

Thank You to Our Generous Annual BCLSS Bronze Sponsors:

10

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016 BC Lake Stewardship Society

Sponsorship Information

Corporate sponsorship of the BCLSS has many benefits!

Donations will be gratefully acknowledged with either a tax-

deductible receipt or a non-tax-deductible receipt.

Patron - $25,000

Diamond - $10,000

Platinum - $5000

Gold - $1000

Silver - $500

Bronze - $100

For information on the benefits associated with each level,

please visit the BCLSS website or contact the BCLSS office.

Your support of the BCLSS will help to ensure that we con-

tinue working towards our vision of clean, healthy lakes in

BC, now and into the future. When you sponsor the BCLSS,

you become a part of an extensive network of scientists,

environmental professionals, lakeshore residents, the gen-

eral public, First Nations, and government agencies.

The BCLSS invites you to become a part of our valuable

organization through sponsorship opportunities. As an on-

going sponsor of the BCLSS, not only will you be contrib-

uting to the success of our programs, but you will also

reach a target market and demonstrate your commitment

to lake health and the welfare of BC communities.

To become a BCLSS member or sponsor, fill out this form

and return it to BCLSS with a cheque or money order,

payable to BC Lake Stewardship Society. Payment can

also be made via PayPal at www.bclss.org.

$10 student

$25 individual

$50 group

Name:

Mailing Address:

Phone:

Email:

Other information:

Become a BCLSS Member or Sponsor

Thank you to our generous funders!

Benefits of Becoming a Member:

Quarterly newsletters

Monthly e-newsletter, the Loonie News

Lake report tailored for your lake

Training and support

Assistance from Director in local region

Monitoring insurance for active lake monitors

Annual conference and workshops

Part of an extensive network of lake stewards

Access to extensive limnological library

Don’t delay—sign up today!

Boag Foundation

11

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016 BC Lake Stewardship Society

W ould you like to be able to work towards maintaining and improving watershed health while gaining valuable

leadership skills and learning more about environmental non-profits/charities? If so, volunteering as a Director for

the BCLSS could be right for you!

Benefits & Recognition of BCLSS Directors

Know that you are putting your best efforts toward improved water quality and watershed health.

Contribute your knowledge and leadership expertise to further our mission and vision.

Connect with like-minded professionals who are passionate believers in our vision of a clean, healthy lakes.

Develop Board governance and leadership skills.

No paid compensation although your travel and other expenses will be reimbursed.

Requirements .

The criteria for becoming a BCLSS Director are that the individual:

1. is able to volunteer 10 hours/month – for Board/committee calls, and related duties

2. actively participates on BCLSS committees

3. enthusiastically seeks out new sponsors/donors on behalf of the BCLSS (The most up-to-date “Sponsorship

Opportunities” package will be provided, in PDF, to all BCLSS Directors by BCLSS staff)

4. is easily accessible by email

5. submits a brief letter outlining what they feel they can bring to the BCLSS Board, and why they are interested

in becoming a Director

As a Board member, you will be part of the team of professionals guiding the vision and strategy of the BCLSS. Your

ideas, dedication and skills will help propel the organization to broader impact and effectiveness.

We have an opportunity for new Board Members at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September 2016. Board

members serve a two-year term and are eligible for re-election.

BCLSS Mission

The BCLSS mission is to act as a resource, communication, and information network among scientists, environmental

professionals, lakeshore residents, the general public, First Nations, and government agencies in order to preserve,

protect, and restore lakes in British Columbia.

BCLSS Vision

Clean, healthy lakes throughout British Columbia that provide good drinking water and quality habitat for aquatic life,

wildlife, and people.

How to Apply/Contact

There will be no nominations from the floor at the AGM. Letters of intent and nominations can be submitted to the

BCLSS Nominating Committee via email: info@bclss.org, or mail: 1257 Erskine Street, Coquitlam BC, V3B 6R3.

The deadline for this year is September 2nd, 2016.

Nominations to the BCLSS Board of Directors

Photo credit: Dawn Roumieu. Chimney Lake.

12

Volume 18, Issue 2 July 2016 BC Lake Stewardship Society

Regional BCLSS Contacts Cariboo Norm Zirnhelt, Williams Lake 250.392.7995

Kootenays Brian Nickurak, Invermere 250.341.3738

Columbia-Shuswap Hamish Kassa, Salmon Arm 250.833.5942

Lower Mainland Irene Calbick, Burnaby 604.522.0024

Emily Gutenberg, Coquitlam 604.760.1632

Okanagan Darryl Arsenault, Kelowna 250.860.8424

Kristi Carter, Kelowna 250.763.6908

Thompson-Nicola Marge Sidney, Kamloops 250.371.6346

Vancouver Island Dr. Rick Nordin, Victoria 250.656.7191

Eric Bonham, Victoria 250.474.5252

Deborah Epps, Nanaimo 250.751.3146

Director at Large Heather Leschied 250.351.5687

O ne of the primary objectives of the BC Lake Steward-

ship Society is to provide a public forum to discuss infor-

mation on specific lakes and watersheds, lake conservation

issues/concepts and educational programs relevant to Brit-

ish Columbia’s freshwater resources.

The BC Lake Stewardship Society Board of Directors wel-

comes written submissions, whether short articles, adver-

tisements, or photos/figures relevant to British Columbia’s

lakes from both BCLSS members and the community at

large. If you have information on BC’s lakes, please for-

ward it to us for publication in our quarterly newsletter. The

BC Lake Stewardship Society Editor will be pleased to as-

sist you with your submission upon request.

Share Your

Information With Us!!

Please send articles and lake information to:

1257 Erskine Street

Coquitlam, BC V3B 6R3

Phone: 604.474.2441

Toll Free: 1.877 BC LAKES

Email: info@bclss.org

Announcements forward to improving communication with our valued

members!

Stay tuned: The BCLSS AGM will be held in September

(date TBD) via conference call. More details to follow next

month.

We would like to welcome the following new BCLSS

members: Tom Wilkinson, Sina Pourmokhtari, Vic

Bartel, Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research

Institute (MABRRI), Society for the Preservation of Kala-

malka Lake (SPrKL), Chain Lake Residents Association.

New Directors: The BCLSS Board of Directors has ap-

pointed Hamish Kassa and Emily Gutenberg as direc-

tors. They will be formally voted on to the BCLSS Board

at our AGM in September. We are excited to have them

join the Society and look forward to their input and ex-

pertise!

Staff changes at the BCLSS: BCLSS Project Coordinator

Skye Wolfe has taken an extended maternity leave as

she relocates to Vernon. Dawn Roumieu will continue as

Project Coordinator out of Coquitlam. We will be in-

creasing our office hours starting in September and look Photo credit: Katherine Vanlerberg. Osoyoos Lake.