Our Personal and Community Actions Matter!

Actions that keep our community strong and connected…. 

We:

• Purchased our annual LWCA membership
• Convinced someone to join the LWCA
• Checked the LWCA Facebook page (LWCA) and Instagram (lwca_ontario) regularly
• Are members of the LWCA Facebook Group and check it regularly
• Read the LWCA Quarterly Smore and Communiques (email us info@welsemkoon.com to let us know if you are not receiving the Smore or Communiques)
• Contributed to LWCA conversations online (on Facebook, Instagram, or in the #takingcare chat group)
• Subscribe to and read the Federation of Ontario Cottage Associations (FOCA) elert
• Attended the LWCA Annual General Meeting (AGM)
• Brought a friend/family member/new member to the LWCA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Community Connection event
• Attended a community event such as Maker’s Market or webinar
• Submitted an idea, an article or some feedback to the Loon Call editor (info@weslemkoon.com)
• Volunteered to maintain a trail or build something needed for the LWCA
• Volunteered on a committee, at an event, or on the Board of Directors
• Donated books to the LWCA little library (soon to be located at Weslemkoon Marina)
• Borrowed and read books from the LWCA little library
• Completed a Firesmart Canada property check and maintenance
• Made or discussed an evacuation plan for fire emergencies with our family and neighbours
• Have an emergency kit at the cottage
• Have a fire pump and held our annual fire pump drill
• Have an Automatic Emergency Defibrillator (AED) at our cottage or share one with our neighbours
• Have valid First Aid and/or CPR training
• Have a sign on our dock to alert snowmobilers that we have a bubbler

These actions help to protect our lake and environment for future generations and all the other living things who call Weslemkoon home.

We:

• Checked our property for invasive species (see our Invasive Species guide on Weslemkoon.com for invasives to look out for) - reported any that we find to EddsMapps or the Ontario Invasive Species Hotline 1.800.563.7711 and properly removed it if possible
• Plant/maintain native plants in our garden or on our property (see Southern Ontario Grow Me Instead for a guide of what to plant)
• Have a naturalized and healthy riparian zone and shoreline
• Have curved pathways and terraces to avoid erosion from rainfall runoff
• Have bird safe windows
• Use dark sky friendly lights on our property to avoid light pollution
• Checked our septic and had it pumped if needed
• Took our laundry into the city to do, OR we have a microfiber filter installed on the lake washing machine in order to minimize microfibers from entering our lakes.
• Enjoyed septic friendly toilet paper or bidets
• Used soaps, shampoos and detergents that are free of harsh chemicals or phosphates that might harm the lake
• Did not use rodenticides or pesticides to avoid bioaccumulation in the food web
• Used Lake or Reef safe sunscreen (look for one in a plastic free applicator)
• Composted our food waste (DIY Composters)
• Minimized plastic packaging when shopping (the landfill site will thank you)
• Clean Drain and Dry our boats and other water vessels/toys before transporting them to a new body of water
• Followed all provincial regulations when fishing and used lead free tackle
• Ensured that we were Wake Wise on Weslemkoon and left no wake when less than 30 meters from shore. 
• Free choice: We….

Actions to do as a family to protect and learn more about the lake environment.

We:

• Participated in one Citizen Science activity as a family (or with friends)
• Hiked a trail together, picked up any garbage that we found, and followed hiking best practices
• Cleaned our shoes and dog’s paws before hiking to avoid introducing invasive species to our forests
• Used the Merlin App to identify 3 birds by their songs
• Can name and mimic the 3 different Loon Calls
• Explored our property and identified 3 plants and 3 trees using the Seek and I Naturalist  Apps
• Learned about the Indigenous traditional uses of the plants on our property
• Used an underwater viewer to explore life beneath the water
• Explored our shoreline and checked for sunken trash
• Found 3 constellations in the night sky and learned the Indigenous names and legends for them
• Chose a sit spot and visited it regularly to observe nature
• Rescued a turtle from the road and took it to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre or contacted Think Turtle to arrange for transport to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre.
• Enjoyed firework-free celebrations for our celebrations
• Found all the geocaches around Lake Weslemkoon
• Placed a new geocache
• Free Choice: We….

Climate change is a threat to our health and the health of our lake environment. Our actions both on and off the lake can make a difference towards reducing emissions which will help to slow global warming.

We:

• Asked our federal and local governments to meet their emission reduction targets by emailing or calling our MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman and MPP Ric Bresee 
• Ate 1 or more meatless meals per week
• Reduced our use of energy by using LED lights, turning off all lights and appliances when not in use.
• Followed the Reduce (bought only what we needed), Reuse (thrifted, repurposed, borrowed, shared), then Recycle hierarchy in order to minimize our use of the Earth’s resources
• Enjoyed only non motorized sports (e.g., swimming, canoeing, kayaking, birdwatching) 
• Generated some of our own electricity using wind or solar energy
• Avoided using gas powered tools (trimmers, blowers, barbeques)
• Used a backup battery instead of a gas generator
• Used a heat pump instead of a woodstove, gas or baseboard heaters (which doubled as an air conditioner during heat waves)
• Have an induction or electric stove
• Have a heat pump or electric water heater
• Drive an EV or hybrid or PEV or plan to purchase one for our next automobile
• Free Choice: We…..