Hello WORA Members, we hope this note finds you well.
We wanted to share a couple of recent articles in the media to keep you up to date on the Barrie Annexation. Our elected officials are working hard to make sure that Oro Medonte’s voice in opposition to annexation is heard (see the two links below).
We are also pleased to share the latest newsletter from our friends at Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition which includes a lot of important information on what’s going on around the Lake Simcoe watershed that you should be aware of.
Sincerely,
The WORA Executive
Oro-Medonte, Ontario
L0L 2E0
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition<rescuelakesimcoecoalition@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jan 23, 2024 at 2:39 PM
Subject: Lake Simcoe finally freezing over and other salty actions
View this email in your browserALL ABOUT ICE (AND SALT)
FINALLY the snow and ice have come. But have they? Will it stay? Is the ice strong? There is much hand – wringing about the brutal impacts of climate change on our winter recreation around Lake Simcoe.
Ice fishermen have been chomping at the bit to get out on “Lady Simcoe” this year, and this weekend saw intrepid fishers on foot and some on sleds in Cooks Bay catching the first perch of the winter season! There was more ice on Lake Couchiching, and more ice fishing there.
Careful though – the ice was open on most of the lake just days ago, it has cracks, is forming cracks, and it is not uniformly strong. There are lots of ice hut operators and ice updates if you search on facebook, but please always use caution while having fun and enjoying the wonders of winter! ROAD SALTS CAMPAIGN
This year, we have a big focus on tackling the salt pollution in Lake Simcoe. Thanks to some seed funding from Fresh Water Future, we have built a coalition of nine groups https://saltcoalition.ca/, agreed on our general position, and launched a one-click petition tool.
Big thanks to Water Watchers and Dani Lindamood for so much of this amazing work!
Right now we are working alongside Landscape Ontario which is moving policy forward at Ontario’s legislature with lobbyist support.
This week we arranged for long time water experts to share their knowledge with our campaign team about how we can best advance the ecological aims of freshwater advocates in Ontario.
Last week we made this ridiculous video about removing snow and ice to avoid using salt.
Watch it here:
On Twitter or our Youtube channelLEARN MORE ABOUT SALT IN FRESHWATER
Road salt is considered a toxic substance under Canada’s environmental protection act. For years road salt has been the solution to the ice problem. But science is showing us this ‘solution’ is not sustainable.
Listen to our Executive Director’s interview CBC Ontario Today podcast
Listen to a podcast from The Pointerinterviewing Claire Malcolmson and Margaret Prophet
Old Habits and other Barriers to Environmental Change – podcast.
Read more about Ontario’s salt use and the environmental impacts here, via the Pointer: How our love for road salt is killing the environment.ACTION – PACTION:
Protect Lake Simcoe, Protect Our Plan
The provincial government has repeatedly failed to walk its talk on protecting Lake Simcoe. In 2009 the Government of Ontario released its Lake Simcoe Protection Plan which called for Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus pollution to be reduced by 50% to 44 tonnes per year to protect our cold-water fishery (e.g., lake trout and whitefish) and to prevent algae blooms and excessive weed growth.
We need the five government MPPs (Caroline Mulroney, Andrea Khanjin, Jill Dunlop, Laurie Scott and Doug Downey) who represent the people living in the Lake Simcoe watershed to stand up for the Lake they claim to love. Reach out to your local representatives to let them know the phosphorus reduction plan needs to move forward.
https://lakesimcoewatch.ca/tell-lake-simcoe-mpps-to-speak-up-for-the-lake/Take action to get funding for nature protection in Ontario
Ontario is developing its 2024 budget and taking public input until January 31.
We know protecting the nature we need for biodiversity and addressing the climate crisis requires investment, and there’s never been a better time than now to fight for funding.
Wilderness Committee has created an easy to use survey where you can submit comments to support funding to grow protected places to 30 per cent by 2030 as recommended by the province’s Protected Areas Working Group.
Still protecting the Greenbelt – Time Sensitive: Ontario Budget 2024
Until January 31st 2024 Ontario Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy is consulting on the 2024 provincial budget. Provincial budgets are important planning documents not only for financial management, but also to outline the province’s priorities.
Take action here:
Send a message to MPP Peter BethlenfalvyOur member groups (and others’) actions
Georgina Island Fixed Link (GIFL) project – Townhall
Wednesday January 24, 2024 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm;
Presentations from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Open House with Technical Authors from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Kin Community Centre, 15 Fairpark Lane, Georgina
Upcoming Technical Town Hall for the Georgina Island Fixed Link (GIFL) project, hosted by the GIFL Secretariat. This event is an important opportunity for public engagement and to take a deeper dive into the project’s technical aspects before our Detailed Project Description submission to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC).
Registration link: Register here
The GIFL website has posted studies and assessments to the blog page for your reference.
Orillia Naturalists’ Club
Wednesday February 7, 2024, 7pm-9pm
Location: Orillia Museum of Art & History, 30 Peter St. S, Orillia or online on zoom Orillia Naturalists’ Club is hosting an enlightening event about the captivating world of Mute Swans in Ontario. Learn about fascinating journey of these majestic birds, diverse habitats, life cycle, behaviour and connect with other nature enthusiasts.
Email to register/receive link: orillianaturalists@gmail.com
Protect Lake Couchiching
From an ill-conceived MZO – A development proposal has surfaced, posing a threat to the lake. It proposes to add 2,500 residents on a 63-hectare parcel of land adjacent to Casino Rama. This parcel of land is next to a Provincially Significant Wetland.
Learn more and take action here:
Presentation on Environmental Action
Barrie Public Library in partnership with Living Green Barrie presents:
Wednesday, Jan 24th, 6-7 p.m.
Barrie Public Library Downtown Branch, 60 Worsley Street, Barrie
A presentation on environmental action made possible through the support of the Youth United Grant, will delve into crucial aspects of environmental action we can take as individuals and as a community. With a focus on fostering hope and optimism in the face of climate change, we aim to inspire positive engagement and empower individuals, especially youth, to make a meaningful impact.
Find out more: https://barrielibrary.libnet.info/event/9937406
Your Favourite Life Presents: Philosophy Night
Friday January 26th, 6:30-8:30pm
Nook Yoga, 119 Dunlop Street East, Barrie
A night of contemplation, curiosity, and perspective sharing. Philosophy night is a friendly gathering to connect on the intricate web we call LIFE.
Registration link: www.nookyoga.ca/schedulePLANNING SHORELINE BEAUTIFICATION?
We partnered with Parklane Landscapesto make a little video to highlights what you might think about and what YOU NEED TO KNOW to improve and maintain your shoreline property.
– What projects do I need permits for?
– How can I remove invasive plants from my property?
– What can a rain garden do for my property?
Watch our video here!Thank you for your generosity, we met and slightly exceeded our fundraising goal for 2023! We are going into 2024 in a pretty good position.Some Board members at Lake SImcoe this weekend, planning the year ahead!We appreciate you and all that you do for the future of the Lake!
In solidarity,
Claire and the Board
Linda Wells, Jennie Ucar, Susan Sheard, Alessia Mole, Matt Lund, Maurice Sandford, Gail White and Colin Brown.
Claire Malcolmson
Executive Director
Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition
www.RescueLakeSimcoe.org
647-267-7572
WORA 