Fellow LJNA members and Lake Joseph neighbours,
Spring is here and, though the lake is still frozen, soon, we’ll be enjoying lazy summer days on the dock or out having fun on the water. We continue to focus on the priorities of the membership -- responsible development, water quality, safe boating, and strong community –highlighted in the member survey of 2020. |
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LJNA Board plans for 2022 are coming together. A highlight this summer will be the launch of our fireboat. We don’t yet have a confirmed date but will let you know as soon as we do.
This summer we look forward to seeing more of each other in person. Check out opportunities where you can get involved and meet some of your lakeside neighbours below. And mark your calendars now for the AGM – Saturday August 6th.
There are a couple of important items of interest in this update. Notably, Safe Quiet Lakes through its Decibel Coalition, has made a lot of progress on decibel limits. They have been working with Transport Canada and have now reached an exciting and important stage: Transport Canada has opened public consultations. We urge you to participate. It is simple as explained below. Another important issue that was highlighted in the recent FOCA Spring Seminar concerns the use of floating accommodations on waterways. The province is currently seeking public input on the policy. LJNA is developing a response and will be working with local associations and the township on solutions. Adequate controls that limit further pressure on our lake systems are needed.
Your ongoing support is so important to the work we do. Thank you!
Wishing you a wonderful and meaningful holiday weekend. Happy spring!
Warm regards,
Nancy Cohen, President |
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2022 Membership Drive
Hello LJNA members, we hope you have had a good winter. The start of our membership drive has moved up to May to better reflect the start of cottaging season! (Can't wait!) Look for renewal notices for 2022 in your inbox soon.
Thank you so much for your continued membership support of the LJNA.
Elizabeth Jennings, Membership Director, LJNA Board
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Volunteer Opportunities for Summer 2022
LJNA volunteers bring fresh ideas and perspectives. Students and adults can join in to help with any of the following opportunities this summer.
Water Testing: Testing of four sites four times over the summer. Contact Alex Magditsch
Benthic Monitoring: Five volunteers are needed for about three hours once or twice this summer. Contact Alex Magditsch
Dock Drop: Be one of a team to deliver the LJNA Annual Newsletter by boat in early July (and meet your neighbours!). Contact Blair Sinclair
AGM Coordinator: Help organize and run this annual event on Saturday August 6. Contact Nancy Cohen
Municipal Elections October 2022: Help ensure LJNA members are aware of the issues and get out to vote. Contact Nancy Cohen
Website: A great opportunity to contribute to our community and help the LJNA build online resources. Contact Nancy Cohen |
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Did You Know? You can pay your Seguin property taxes by credit card through their e-commerce program. This has actually been in place for some time. But be aware that an additional 3% charge will be charged to your card. |
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Spring Flooding Report
MLA'S Muskoka Flood Watch tracks the snow, melt and rainfall conditions as the Spring progresses. In their April 4 report they advised water levels in Lake Joseph had increased eight inches since March 19, the lowest point for the year. At this point no flooding is anticipated. |
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FOCA AGM & Spring Seminar
The FOCA AGM and Spring Seminar for Lake Associations took place on February 26. You can read the Event Summary for Members for pertinent info: from rural internet connectivity (slow but steady), to who can vote on October 24 (Are you on the list in Seguin?); from predictions on the LDD moth (not great again this year) to an emerging issue: floating container homes. (Yes, the precedent was set last year in Gloucester Pool.)
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The Decibel Coalition - Call to Action
The Decibel Coalition is a national initiative of Safe Quiet Lakes that aims to get the muffler regulations amended to include noise limits. Solutions to excessive noise from boat engines are possible and we need your help. |
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What Can I Do About Excessive Boat Noise?
Transport Canada has opened consultations on these regulations. We would like you to do two things. Both will only take a couple of minutes. - Write to your federal MP here asking them to support these changes.
- Go to Transport Canada's “Let’s Talk” and answer question # 5. Click HERE to read a backgrounder or go to our website for more information. The consultation is open to May 13, 2022.
Please act now to let politicians know that these regulations must be updated to control excessive boat noise on our lakes. Your input matters. |
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Riparian Lake Edge Garden* |
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Seedling Day
The Muskoka Lakes Association's annual "Seedling Day" is Saturday, May 21 at the Port Carling Royal Canadian Legion. Plant and tree seedlings native to the area are available. Place your order by April 29.
*A riparian area is an ecosystem found along the edge of a body of water. A riparian garden creates a refuge for wildlife and prevents bank erosion. |
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Moose, coyotes, bears, and wolf packs are a few of the animals at Aspen Valley |
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Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary has been caring for wildlife for almost 50 years. What started as the passion of one woman – Parry Sound high school teacher Audrey Tourney – and one orphaned raccoon, the Sanctuary has expanded to a dedicated group of staff and volunteers who took in over 1100 animals in 2021.
Aspen Valley is located on 460 acres of pristine habitat at 1116 Crawford Street, just off Aspdin Road (Muskoka District Road 3), a five minute drive from Rosseau. Reservations must be made in advance to experience a guided tour to see the Sanctuary’s permanent residents, hear their stories, and learn how to live in harmony with wildlife. Guided tours cost $20.00 per person; children five years and under visit for free. As a not-for-profit, Aspen Valley could not do this work without the generosity of the public. Even if you don’t plan to visit this year, please consider a gift to support the animals. |
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Volunteer at Aspen Valley This Summer
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Juliana Magditsch, rehydrating a painted turtle here, is finishing her third year at the University of Guelph in zoology, and planning to do a masters in wildlife rehabilitation. She will be volunteering at Aspen Valley again this summer. |
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Well over 100 volunteer from around the world work alongside Aspen Valley’s skeleton staff each year. LJNA member Juliana Magditsch is one of them.
“Being able to work with animals that most people do not think twice about and being a voice for them is the most rewarding thing anyone can do. Volunteering at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary allowed me to learn so much about the impact that we as humans have on wildlife, and solidified my future career goals of working in rehabilitation.”
Learn more about volunteering at Aspen Valley here. |
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The Lake Joseph North Association (LJNA) represents the interests of shoreline residents on the Seguin section of Lake Joseph, including Portage Lake.
The E-News is published on a regular basis to keep Lake Joe residents and LJNA members informed of items of importance and interest to them.
Editor: Karen McCullough, LJNA member - editor@ljna.org
If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe at any time
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