Minutes of the March 2024 AGM

Minutes are also available for download here. 

Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association

Annual General Meeting

March 31, 2024

Meeting brought to order 1:06 pm

Minutes adopted from previous AGP held Sept 18, 2022. Moved by Bob and seconded by Cindy.

Financial Report:

Lac Le Juene Conservation Association 2022 Financial Report
Balance at 04/30/22	$2,637.34	$2,637.34
Revenue
Membership	190.00
Interest	30.98
TNRD Grants	4,150.00
GIC Mat Feb 923	2,659.62
	7,030.60	$9,667.94
Expenses
Bank Charges	40.00
BC Society Annual Report	40.00
BC Lake Stewardship Society	50.00
Knotty Pine (FireSmart)	787.50
Hugh Burton (lake monitoring)	328.16
Bill Miller (FireSmart)	350.00
		$1,595.66
Balance of 04/30/23		$8,072.28

In June, 2022, we received two cheques from the TNRD: $2,500 which was indicated as “Relief for Revenue Shortfalls” and $1,650 which was indicated as “FireSmart Committee Funding”.   Cindy had submitted a request to the TNRD for funding to cover the cost of parts for the water monitoring device and had made a verbal request to the TNRD area rep, Mike, for funding for insurance costs.    The GIC at TD had also matured and was now part of the funds available to us.

Treasurer’s report adopted, moved by Pat Burton and Seconded by Corinne Schock.

Yard waste and where to take it was discussed and Corinne will bring this up with the TNRD again.

We received a grant from the TNRD in the amount of $2,000 for improvements to the Gus Johnson trail.  We will seek input from the community as to where funds should be allocated but better trail markings and bridging the east end section of the lake are possibilities.

We will look at more involvement regarding FireSmart and more community involvement and having a community meeting in the spring.

Meeting adjourned 1:46 pm.

Prepared by Cindy Swain

Notice to all residents regarding wildfire mitigation work

This notice was sent out to some residents via email.

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To All Residents of Lac Le Jeune
Re: Lac le Jeune Ski Hill Wildfire Mitigation Works

As many of you are aware, harvesting equipment has been moved to the ski hill area in the past week and you may be wondering what is going on. The owners of the ski hill and Lac le Jeune Resort have put together a plan to reduce the risk of wildfire to both their private lands and the community of Lac le Jeune as a whole. After the recent wildfire season and the two biggest fire years in 2017 and 2018 in BC’s history, this is a welcome development. Forests within the ski hill lands and adjacent Crown lands are considered to have some of the highest wildfire hazards in the Kamloops region due to the very high, natural densities of pine with approximately 10-20% of the pine infested with mountain pine beetle in 2006 and 2007 which is now dead and dry. This dead timber is now falling out and contributing to significant surface fuel loading that is the key ingredient to intense and fast moving wildfires.  

The first phase of this plan is to strategically harvest timber from the area that will remove the majority of the fuel. The plan is not to clear cut the whole area but to cut patches and strips and to leave enough timber to maintain some of the aesthetics of the area. The stream that drains north to the small lake on the west side of the ski hill will also have a significant no-harvest buffer to protect this feature.  

The second phase will consist of machine raking and piling residual fuels after the harvesting is complete as well as spacing and pruning other sites where the timber is too small to be harvested. This work may start in conjunction with the harvesting, depending on snow levels, and will continue next summer and fall and to be completed prior to next winter.

All residents are asked to refrain from entering or using these private lands while harvesting activities are ongoing. Operations involving heavy equipment are inherently dangerous and you will put yourself at severe risk by being in proximity of the equipment. Information will be posted at the main entrance and other signage will be posted at all known access locations/trails. Please see attached map.
Work is scheduled to begin Dec 14, 2021 and will run to at least Dec 24, 2021 and possibly longer.  A notice will be sent out informing residents when operations are complete.

Thank you for your cooperation. 

 

 

 

Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association

Thinking of joining? Not sure what we do?

The Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association, as a non profit society, allows us to:

• Obtain Federal, Provincial and TNRD funding for initiatives, such as fire mitigation, water monitoring, conservation initiatives in our beautiful area.
• Build relationships with Ministry of Environment, Fisheries, Forestry, Parks, Transportation and Highways, RCMP, TNRD and other agencies.
• Participate in a Water Monitoring Project in conjunction with Ministry of Environment to help protect our watershed.
• Participate in the Invasive Species Program in conjunction with the TNRD.
• Build relationships with local groups and businesses working on projects in our area.
• Keep up-to-date with conservation issues that affect our community.
• Work together to address emerging issues and to be proactive in protecting our environment.

Lac Le Jeune Conservation AGM 

Sunday, September 26 at 10:00am 

Day shelter, LLJ Provincial Park

 Hope to see you there!

Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association Annual Dues

Photo by Mark Olsen on Unsplash

During COVID -19 the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association was unable to hold an in-person annual general meeting. We are excited to be able to gather together again on September 26th at 10:00 in the Provincial Park. Put that date in the calendar!

Two very enthusiastic and responsible young members of the community will be collecting annual dues at the AGM. New members can help make this job easier by first printing and completing the membership form. Bring it along with the $10 fee to the meeting, pop it in the mail (address on the form), or connect with your area representative. 

That's right! Only $10 per household! 

All Lac Le Jeune residents are encouraged to join the Conservation Association. In addition to attending to important conservation issues and ensuring that all voices are represented, the Association is the point of contact for emergency preparedness, social events, RCMP liaison, and Citizens on Patrol.  

Returning members only need to complete the membership form if there are any changes to your contact information. 

Please help spread the word about the AGM!

Hold the date: Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association AGM

 Mark your calendars! The Lac Le Jeune Annual General Meeting will be held at the Provincial Park covered picnic area on September 26, 2021, 10:00 - 11:30- AM. An agenda will be posted closer to the date. If you have items please add them to the comments, or get in touch with your area representative.

*Photo of a quilt called "The View From Here" created by Jenny Perry

BCLSS Quarterly Newsletter - Winter 2021

 *reposted with permission*

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Quarterly Newsletter, Winter 2021   View this email in your browser British Columbia Lake Stewardship Society Furthering Lake Stewardship Through Education & Communication Year in Review Despite the pandemic, the BCLSS was able to continue offering our programs in 2020, although slightly modified. In response to provincial restrictions, and to ensure the safety of our volunteers and staff, the start to our regular programs was slightly delayed. By adjusting lake monitoring programs, establishing COVID protocols for fieldwork, and adapting our BCLSEI program, we were still able to work with provincial lake stewards in a hands-on, yet distanced way. This year also offered the opportunity to build our online educational resources. Our 2020 accomplishments: 26 lakes visited under the BC Lake Stewardship Engagement Initiative 29 lakes monitored by volunteers and supported by the BCLSS 6 lakes monitored by BCLSS for the BC Long-Term Lake Trends program 6 lake reports written for different lakes throughout the province using data collected by committed volunteers. Visit our library for reports on your local lakes. Conducted LakeKeepers training at East Barrière Lake Proclamation of July as Lakes Appreciation Month Organized the BC Secchi Dip-In for the 18th year. Once again, Gun Lake had the deepest Secchi reading at 22.8 m! The full Dip-In report is available here Led a review of 10 years of water quality monitoring data collected by a BCLSS member group The BCLSS continues to be inspired by our volunteers that are committed to their lakes. We welcome new members and volunteers to join us in 2021 to work towards our vision of clean, healthy lakes throughout British Columbia. Thank you to our funders that make our programs possible: The BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, the BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and LUSH. BC Lake Stewardship and Monitoring Program 2021 Since 2003, the BCLSS, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV), has implemented the BC Lake Stewardship and Monitoring Program. This program is unique in that it gives dedicated volunteers the knowledge, training, and tools to become stewards and contribute invaluable information to an ever growing data set for provincial lakes. Many of our member groups have participated in data collection on their favourite lake(s). After data has been collected, lake specific reports are written to outline the data collected. These  can be found in the BCLSS library under BCLSMP Lake Reports. The BCLSS recognizes the importance of volunteers that take on significant roles in environmental monitoring. Collection of lake data by volunteers is critical for the protection of lake water quality as it helps establish a strong baseline of data that allows for lake health to be determined, monitored, and managed over time. If you are interested in participating in this program in 2021, starting with Level 1 monitoring, please contact us for more information. Level 1 monitoring involves collecting at least 12 evenly spaced clarity (Secchi disc) and temperature readings from May through September (or ice off to ice on). The BCLSS can provide the equipment and after three years of data collections we can provide a report on results. More information on volunteer lake monitoring can be found on the BCLSS website and the BC Ministry of Environment website. Lake Life: The Diatoms  At the base of our aquatic ecosystems are the primary producers which provide the link between the sun’s energy and other organisms higher in the food chain. These include free-living algae (phytoplankton), attached algae (periphytes) and aquatic plants (macrophytes).    The diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) are single-celled algae that comprise a large portion of the phytoplankton in both fresh and marine waters. Diatoms range in size from a microscopic two microns to a few millimetres, just visible to the naked eye. Though small, these tiny plants play a huge role - it has been estimated that diatoms are responsible for approximately ¼ of the earth’s primary productivity! There are more than 10,000 diatom species identified with about the same number named in the fossil records. Their abundance also makes them an important component of the diets of zooplankton and invertebrate larvae.    Diatoms are also one of the most beautiful organisms in the phytoplankton community. They consist of two glass-like silica shells called frustules and the shape and patterns of the shells are used to identify the species. The two frustules fit inside one another like a pill box and come in two general forms: pennate (elongated) and centric (round). Most freshwater diatoms are pennate. Diatoms usually reproduce asexually through cell division; the halves separate and a new shell is laid down in each of the parent frustules to produce two new cells. As a result, a population of diatoms will get progressively smaller over time.  Eventually, after a minimum size has been reached, the diatoms begin to reproduce sexually and a larger cell size is achieved.   Diatoms are so abundant that the frustules of dead organisms form large, economically significant deposits in both lakes and oceans. The diatomaceous earth, as it is called, is used in a number of applications including water filters, insecticides, paints, toothpaste, soil amendments and thermal insulation.   Diatoms can also be used in the practical management of water resources. The silica shell is a very durable and provides a useful indicator for investigating past water quality conditions. Diatom communities are influenced by water chemistry (e.g., phosphorus, nitrogen, pH, alkalinity, salinity) and so examining diatom assemblages in lake sediment cores can provide clues to historical changes in water quality.  Originally published in BCLSS Quarterly Newsletter Volume 7, Issue 2 Diatoms in Charlie Lake. Photo provided by Bruce Kosugi, Charlie Lake Conservation Society. Welcome to new BCLSS members: Whistler Lakes Conservation Association, Adam Ungstad, Rod Andrew, Vincent Russell, Denelle Taffe, Zihao Wang, Doug Manton, Erin Reece, Deborah Kannegiesser & Joe Cortese, Shawnigan Basin Society, and Equilibrium Health Management. Landscaping and Gardening Tips to Keep Your Lake Healthy Have you had enough of winter? Are you already planning your spring garden? If you have a lakeside property, check out these gardening and landscaping tips adapted from the Ministry of Environment's fact sheet: Some Guiding Principles to Lakeshore Living in Relation to Water Quality. Using native plant species means minimal maintenance, including less watering, fertilizer and pesticides. Fertilizers can be carried by runoff to nearby waterbodies, causing an increase in nutrients and possible decline in water quality. Keep existing trees and shrubs where possible and plant trees and shrubs in open areas to help prevent erosing and lessen runoff. Mulch grass trimmings to promote recycling of nutrients and moisture back into the existing lawn. This also reduces the need for watering and fertilizer application. Clean up after pets and domestic animals. Waste can be transported by runoff causing fecal contamination and phophorus input to nearby water. Maintain vegetation near the shoreline to filter and absorb runoff, to provide shoreline stabilization, and to discourage waterfowl from frequenting. Waterfowl can contribute considerable levels of fecal coliforms and phosphorus. For more gardening and landscaping tips, as well as other tips to keep your lake healthy, check out our Lake Stewardship Guidebook. Thank you to our sponsor:   Cariboo Environmental Quality Consulting Ltd.   www.environmentalquality.ca Events and Announcements Pacific Salmon Foundation Community Salmon Program Spring 2021 Funding This grantmaking program supports volunteer and community-driven organizations that undertake salmon conservation and restoration projects in BC and the Yukon. Applications accepted until February 15th. Information and application can be found here.  Real Estate Foundation - General Grants The REFBC grants program supports projects that contribute to sustainable land use and real estate practices. The deadline to apply is March 2nd, 2021. Go to www.refbc.com/grants for more information on eligibility and how to apply. Columbia Basin Water Survey  Do you work with or around water? Have you ever used a dataset involving water? Or maybe you are just a concerned citizen wondering if your water is safe to drink? We are all dependent on water, and data is a crucial part of monitoring the health of our watersheds. The Columbia Basin Water Hub is looking for your input. We want to know what you consider to be good quality data. Please fill out the survey below and help build a community standard for water data in the Columbia Basin. Survey closes on Wednesday February 3rd at noon PST!   Survey: https://forms.gle/YKcwyxnkX4B4ES2K8   If you would like to find out more about the Water Hub visit this link. Women and Water Lecture Series The Women and Water Lecture Series, hosted by the Global Institute for Water Security, Global Water Futures - Young Professionals, and Global Water Futures, will be offered monthly from January to April 2021. The schedule and registration link can be found here. The Keys to a Blue Economy This four-part series focuses on how Canada should define its blue economy and all of the key elements that will ensure a strong national water sector. Information on the series can be found here. AquaHacking Challenge Expands into Western Canada for 2021 AquaHacking is a tech challenge for post-secondary students and young professionals with an interest in freshwater issues, clean-tech innovation, and entrepreneurship. More information can be found on the AquaHacking Challenge website. Ice on and ice off Please send your ice on and ice off dates to the BCLSS office as this information is important for climate change research. Ice on/off data sheets can be found on our website.   Share your information with us!  One of the primary objectives of the BC Lake Stewardship Society is to provide a public forum to discuss information on specific lakes and watersheds, lake conservation issues/concepts, and educational programs relevant to British Columbia’s freshwater resources.    The BC Lake Stewardship Society Board of Directors welcomes written submissions, whether short articles, advertisements, 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 forward it to us for publication: info@bclss.org. News from the Web Adams Lake First Nation heads program to restore salmon habitat in Adams Lake High winds, whitecaps and cold temperatures create crazy tangle of serrated ice in Taynton Bay B.C.'s freshwater stocking program complete despite pandemic challenges Blue-green algae bloom confirmed in Elk Lake, water-based activities not recommended Ice-Fishing Update from the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC GONE FISHIN': Pandemic has new and returning anglers hooked around Kamloops fishing holes World's Largest Lakes Reveal Data About Climate Change Alouette Lake boaters may be left high and dry   We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Donate to the BCLSS Copyright © 2021 BCLSS, All rights reserved.  Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

BCLSS Loonie News - December 2020

 *Reposted with permission*

BCLSS Holiday Office Closure The BCLSS office will be operating with limited hours over the holidays starting on December 19th. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, January 4th, 2021.    The BCLSS Board of Directors and staff wish you a happy and healthy holiday season! Help Keep the Ice Clean this Winter When recreating on lakes this winter, please keep in mind these helpful tips:   Garbage On Ice To reduce garbage and other debris left behind by visitors from freezing into ice on rivers and lakes, join forces with a few neighbours to create a “Citizen’s Patrol” to monitor ice and speak to visitors about garbage. You can also plan a shoreline clean-up early in the spring to help protect nesting shorebirds. Winter Recreation Take care when accessing a frozen lake for skating, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, or tobogganing. Use summer access trails, rather than direct paths over snow. Even through the covering of ice and snow, vegetation and bank structure can be damaged by winter traffic. Cleaning Up After Your Dog There are a number of great reasons to pick up after your dog not the least of which is that you, or your closest friends, may be the ones who "discover" the treasure while going for a nice ski/skate. In addition to the aesthetic reasons to clean up behind your pooch, there are very sound health and ecological reasons: Feces contain pathogenic (disease causing) organisms that make people sick. Many of us rely on lakes as our drinking water source and children often ingest water while playing at the lake. Excess nutrient loading, including phosphorous, from more dog traffic causes significant imbalances in a lakes natural ecosystem. This leads to degradation of lake water quality. Nutrients from fecal matter may lead to increased algae growth and can effect oxygen levels and other physical characteristics that fish and other animals need to survive.  As more of us use the lake, and take our dogs with us, the fragile ecological balance and public health are further jeopardized. We need to reduce the risks to ensure the health of our lakes.  We need to be careful and responsible to ensure that the lakes that we love remain lovely! Originally printed in BCLSS Newsletter Volume15:3, November 2012.  Sources: Brian Nickurak and On the Living Edge by Kipp and Callaway Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society ~ Columbia Shuswap Region is Invasive-Mussel-Free for Another Year!   Invasive species can be extremely damaging to the health of both the ecosystem and our economy. At the top of the ‘Most Unwanted’ list are two aquatic invasive species: zebra and quagga mussels.  The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) partners with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV), the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) and the Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) to monitor high risk lakes in the upper Columbia and Shuswap watersheds for invasive mussels.  In a recent statement, ENV reported that 89 waterbodies in BC were monitored throughout the season by 12 grant recipients (including CSISS) and Ministry staff, collecting 954 plankton samples, all of which showed no evidence of invasive mussels.  Currently there are no known infestations of invasive mussels anywhere in BC, including the Columbia Shuswap. If invasive mussels were to become established in a BC waterbody, it would be extremely difficult to eradicate them and very costly to manage the negative impacts, so preventing establishment is key. Transportation of infested watercraft is a known way in which these species travel between waterbodies, even over large distances.  To prevent the spread of invasive mussels into our lakes and rivers, all watercraft entering BC. should be inspected by Provincial staff.  Travellers bringing watercraft to BC are encouraged to visit the provincial website https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/invasive-mussels/bringing-your-boat-to-bc. Members of the public are asked to please report any suspected invasive species via the Provincial “Report Invasives BC” smartphone application (available for download from www.gov.bc.ca/invasive-species) and any suspected invasive zebra or quagga mussels to the Report All Poachers and Polluters hotline 1-877-952-7277. Read the full press release from the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society here. The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention, management and reduction of invasive species in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.

Announcements and Reminders   Ice On/Off Data Ice events - the freeze and thaw dates of waterbodies - are easily recorded changes that, with the help of volunteer observers, can help us monitor the effects of climate change on our lakes. The BCLSS submits ice on and ice off data to IceWatch, part of the NatureWatch suite of national volunteer monitoring programs designed to help identify ecological changes that may be affecting our environment. Please submit the ice on and ice off dates of your lake to the BCLSS. A data form can be found here. Native Trout Stewardship Initiative: 2020 Call for Proposals The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC is pleased to announce Year Three of its pilot funding initiative that provides resources to organizations and groups seeking to get involved in native trout conservation activities at the local level. These activities are expected to be collaborative and involve partnerships with community, stewardship and angling groups. The deadline of December 31, 2020 is quickly approaching! Further information can be found here. Women and Water Lecture Series Hosted by the Global Institute for Water Security, Global Water Futures - Young Professionals and Global Water Futures. Lectures occur monthly from January to April. The schedule can be found here.  BC Water Funders Collaborative The BC Water Funders Collaborative is a group of funding organizations working together to facilitate the strategic use of collective resources to advance freshwater protection in BC. For more information and a reference guide to water funders, please check out their website. Okanagan Water Board Opens Grant Program The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is now accepting applications for its Water Conservation and Quality Improvement (WCQI) grant program which will focus on water security. This application deadline is 4:00 p.m. on February 26, 2021. The complete Program Guide, detailed information, and application forms can be found here. Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation PCAF Grants The Public Conservation Assistance Fund provides small grants to organizations and individuals who need financial help to implement a conservation project. Approximately $150,000 is provided each year to help implement on-the-ground conservation work, with a particular focus on hands-on, community-based, and public awareness initiatives. Grants will be due in Spring 2021 - now is a good time to start thinking about projects. More information can be found on the HCTF website. The BCLSS is available to help our members with applying for grants of all types. Please contact the office for assistance. INVASIVES 2021 - ISCBC's Annual Forum & AGM February 9-11, 2021. The Invasive Council of BC will be holding their forum virtually. You'll hear from two great keynote presenters, enjoy a variety of plenary session, lighting talks, and have the opportunity to network with others in the invasive species community. The agenda and registration details can be found here.   News and Information Holiday glitter in our lakes? Watershed Security Agenda for British Columbia 'Dramatic changes': Study suggests more lakes fail to freeze over, could harm ice fishing, skating