Kawartha Lakes hears update on lake management action plan

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: At a recent Committee of the Whole meeting, Kawartha Conservation presented, its annual Lake Management Implementation Action Plan and 2024 accomplishments, to the City of Kawartha Lakes Council.

The presentation was delivered by Carolyn Snider, Administration Support for Conservation Programs, who provided an overview of the significant work completed, over the past year, and highlighted the many programs currently underway.

“Everything we do ties back to lake health,” Ms. Snider explained. “Whether it’s planting trees, restoring shorelines, engaging the community or monitoring our streams, our work supports the long-term sustainability of these vital ecosystems.”

Among Kawartha Conservation’s 2024 accomplishments were the planting of 41,860 native trees and shrubs, restoration of more than 1,000 feet of shoreline, and planting of 4,645 native species. In total, $262,951 in funds were leveraged to support these and other initiatives.

Ms. Snider emphasized the range and scope of programs, offered by Kawartha Conservation, all of which are aimed at improving water quality and watershed health, throughout the region.

The Kawartha Water Fund provides micro grants, to private landowners and community groups, for environmental projects which directly impact lake health. Other programs, like Agricultural Stewardship and Forestry and Tree Planting, work closely with landowners and the farming community, to encourage best management practices and increase forest cover.

In addition, Kawartha Conservation continues to support Partner and Community Engagement, through public events, presentations and outreach, via newsletters and social media. Their Community Science Monitoring initiative enlists volunteers to conduct nearshore water sampling, helping detect pollution early.

Ms. Snider also discussed several research-based programs, including Investigative Upstream Monitoring which tracks nutrient sources in streams, and the Bobcaygeon Aquatic Dam Habitat Assessment, aimed at understanding the ecological impacts of the dam.

“Programs like: our sediment and erosion control work, urban restoration efforts, and stormwater monitoring, in Lindsay, all help us make data-informed decisions [which] benefit our entire watershed,” she explained.

Councillors expressed appreciation for the breadth of Kawartha Conservation’s efforts and the positive impact their work continues to have on the local environment.

“Your team’s work is critical,” added Mayor Doug Elmslie. “We’re seeing real, measurable improvements across the region, and that speaks to your dedication and collaboration with our community.”

Kawartha Conservation plans to continue building on these successes, through the remainder of 2025 and beyond.