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Make sure you see all the updates: you're at the end when you see this FOCA banner again:
image from Richard Peters, Sunny Lake
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FOCA Elert ~ December 2024 | |
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For the Love of the Waterfront...
As a not-for-profit organization, FOCA relies on the generosity of our members and community to continue our vital work. Before the end of 2024, please consider making a one-time or recurring donation to FOCA. Your support helps us advocate year-round for sustainable waterfront living across Ontario. Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for supporting FOCA!
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MAILING ALTERNATIVES:
As a result of the Canada Post strike over the past month, FOCA has been negatively affected alongside many non-profit organizations that have traditionally received cheque payments by mail. If your association renewal is due, please consider making a credit card payment to FOCA using the link in your renewal email, or make an e-transfer payment with your association name and number of members indicated in the notes field. Thank you!
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Winter Preparedness
Preparing your cottage for winter is essential to protect your investment and avoid costly damage. From securing structures to planning for emergencies, taking the right steps now ensures peace of mind through the season. A little preparation today can save big headaches tomorrow. Read our Winter Preparedness Tips (PDF, 1 page). Stay safe and winter-ready!
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FOCA's Gold Level Sponsors | |
sponsors support our work, please support them | |
FOCA Advocates for Responsive Government | |
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Addressing Biodiversity Loss
FOCA joined 60 partner organizations who have written the Government of Ontario this week, to call for action to address biodiversity loss, and commit to the protection and restoration of nature across Ontario. Issues driving nature loss include land use change, invasive species, climate change, pollution, and the exploitation of natural resources. The letter calls on the Government to implement the existing provincial Biodiversity Strategy, and align it with federal activities in the 2030 Nature Strategy. Download a copy of the letter from the "Latest News" section of FOCA's webpage: https://foca.on.ca/biodiversity/
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FOCA Champions Safe & Affordable Rural Living | |
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OPP Cost Increases
On November 29, 2024 the Ontario Solicitor General made a news release that Ontario is offsetting 2025 Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) cost increases for small and rural municipalities to support police and community safety, incurred as a result of a collective bargaining agreement reached in July 2024. In response, some eastern Ontario mayors are calling on the Province to provide parity for municipalities that operate their own police services. Read both these stories in the "Latest News" section of FOCA's webpage: https://foca.on.ca/police-crime/
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Legislation to Strengthen Wildfire Prevention
To address rising wildfire risks, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources has proposed Bill 228, the Resource Management and Safety Act, 2024. The Act enhances fire prevention and preparedness by requiring wildland fire management plans, and introducing stricter penalties for violations. These changes aim to protect woodland communities from human-caused fires. Learn more on our webpage, and get access to important homeowner resources about fire safety: https://foca.on.ca/fire-safety/
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Wildfire Community Preparedness Events
FOCA encourages each of our member associations to apply for a $500 award to hold a Wildfire Community Preparedness Day between May and October next year. There are lots of resources available to help you plan your local event. Learn more and apply by January 31, 2025, here:
https://firesmartcanada.ca/programs/wildfire-community-preparedness-day/
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Passing the Torch: Cottage Succession Corner | |
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Ask the Expert
We are launching a new Elert feature: "Passing the Torch" - your cottage succession questions answered by lawyer Peter Lillico, the expert speaker in FOCA's ongoing Cottage Succession Seminar Series.
Have a question about cottage sharing agreements? Wondering if capital gains tax applies to you? Want to put the cottage in a trust, but unsure if you should do it all at once, or spread it out over two or more years? Send us your questions! We'll pass them along to Peter, and he'll answer a couple each month in the Elert. Watch for the first responses in January, when we'll also release details of his next FOCA talk.
Remember: you can still purchase access to pre-recorded sessions of Peter's FOCA talks, here: https://foca.on.ca/cottage-succession/#buy, so you can continue the conversation with the family over the holidays.
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FOCA Promotes Healthy Lands, Lakes & Rivers | |
IsampleON
Since 2021, FOCA and the Invasive Species Centre have partnered in a community science program called IsampleON (Invasive Species Awareness and Monitoring Program for Lakes Education Ontario).
The focus of this year’s study was to answer the research question: Does eDNA (environmental DNA) sampling yield the same results as traditional sampling methods when utilized in a community science monitoring project? Zebra mussels were the species of interest and the two sampling methods compared were traditional plankton towing nets and eDNA analysis. While traditional sampling can provide a positive visual identification at the larval stage, eDNA is able to detect genetic material at all life stages and can detect species that are present in low numbers.
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In 2024, five volunteer samplers on member lakes participated in both eDNA and traditional zooplankton monitoring. A positive result for Zebra mussels was confirmed at one lake for both monitoring protocols; all results were negative at the other four lakes.
This demonstrates that these two sampling methods may be used together to provide an additional metric of validation when monitoring for invasive species. FOCA thanks our volunteers for their hard work and dedication to this program! Read the full 2024 report on our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/isampleon/
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More eDNA News
Read an interesting overview posted by Nature Metrics (source of the image at the side) about how eDNA sampling is being used in Scotland to monitor national habitat conditions and assess species diversity.
For more about eDNA, download a copy of FOCA's fact sheet (PDF, 2 pages) that we created at the end of our 2023 IsampleON program season.
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Invasive Species Action Fund
The Invasive Species Action Fund (ISAF) is a grant program designed to facilitate on-the-ground management and monitoring of invasive species in Ontario. The ISAF "Microgrants" stream (up to $3,500 funding) supports local communities with invasive species needs.* Projects must be on public (not exclusively private) lands, and should be about management and monitoring, rather than education and outreach. Apply online by January 15, 2025.
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2024 fund recipients included municipalities, conservation authorities, First Nations, and land trusts, so FOCA encourages our lake association members to consider a collaborative project with one of these types of organizations.
* NOTE: ISAF is not for invasive Phragmites projects, which are now managed through the separate Ontario Phragmites Action (OPA) program, below.
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Invasive Phragmites Control Fund
With support from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Phragmites Action program is pleased to announce that the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund is seeking proposals for grants to support groups or organizations to implement Phragmites prevention and control activities in Ontario. Applicants can receive up to $50,000 for coordinated actions in Great Lakes coastal wetlands. Review video sessions from the Invasive Species Centre with general program information and details about in-kind contributions and budget-planning. The Applicant Guidelines are posted online; apply by February 12, 2025.
image: Kaleigh Mooney
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Clean + Drain + Dry
Associations: are you already thinking about content for your Spring 2025 newsletter? Remind your members about the importance of preventing aquatic invasive species. Feel free to use the words below!
If you are a boater, you have an important role to play in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. In Ontario, it's the law: you must clean, drain and dry your boat before moving it between lakes or rivers. This helps prevent the spread of invasive species like Zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, spiny water flea, and many more. Learn how and then spread the word: https://foca.on.ca/invasive-species/
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Partner Updates & Regional Notices | |
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Great Lakes Algal Blooms
New research from the University of Waterloo suggests a changing climate could be contributing to declining water quality trends which could increase the number of potentially harmful algal blooms in lakes across Ontario, including the Great Lakes. For an article about the research, including what causes algal blooms and how warmer winters are fuelling their growth, see the link in the "Latest News" section of FOCA's webpage: https://foca.on.ca/algae/
image: Kaleigh Mooney
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new partner survey: Eastern Ontario Bass Fishing
If you fish for bass in Fisheries Management Zone 18 (eastern Ontario), your knowledge on the state of bass populations in key lakes and rivers is needed! Please participate in a survey being conducted by Carleton University researchers. Reach the survey here.
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partner survey results: IJC Great Lakes Regional Poll
The Great Lakes Water Quality Board of the International Joint Commission (IJC) recently released the results of the latest Great Lakes Regional Poll. This poll of Canadian and US residents within the Great Lakes basin provides insight into the importance of protecting the Great Lakes' environmental health and water quality, and the need to protect the waters for leisure and recreation, fish and wildlife, and the economy. See a series of key takeaways as infographics with related social media post content, online from IJC here. or access the summary report here.
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Gravenhurst Bylaw Infraction Reporting
In November 2024, the Town of Gravenhurst announced a new online portal that enables citizens to report bylaw infractions from a digital device, even outside of business hours. Access "Cloudpermit" online from this City of Gravenhurst webpage.
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Superior Lake Trout
The Lake Superior Committee announced in November 2024 that Lake Superior's lake trout have recovered in most of the lake, following overfishing and impacts from non-native sea lampreys that had left them near extinction. The 1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries brought together Canada and the United States to form the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC), charged with controlling sea lampreys, coordinating fishery management, and conducting lake trout rehabilitation since 1958. This multi-decade effort has been a success. Read the news as reported by SooToday.com.
image of parasitic sea lamprey on lake trout: A. Miehls, GLFC
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St. Lawrence River Funky Fish
Explore the "Funky Fish Guide" created by the St. Lawrence River Remedial Action Plan to help you identify abnormalities found in and on fish within the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries.
Note: some of the images are not for the faint of heart! Consider yourself warned.
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Rainy - Lake of the Woods Webinars
The Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation (LOWWSF) has posted all their 2024 "Ask an Expert" webinar recordings. Titles include international water quality objectives, nutrient studies, bathymetry studies, fish studies and more. Access the recordings from the LOWWSF YouTube page.
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Rideau Valley Planning Notes
Got a project in mind for your Rideau Valley area property for 2025? The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority reminds you it is never too early to speak with their resource specialists about your vision. Learn what is possible on your property before you start, to make the permitting process more efficient for everyone. Start your search here.
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partner event: Virtual Invasive Species Forum
February 18-20, 2025 - register now to participate in the annual Invasive Species Centre forum that brings attention to invasive species issues, research, and advances in prevention and management occurring across Canada, neighbouring U.S. states, and beyond. The 2025 theme is "Advancing Community Action". Register for the virtual event here.
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FOCA Serves Lake & Road Association Members | |
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Login for all your FOCA Member Benefits
Please note that all our Member Associations and our annual supporters - the "Friends of FOCA" - have been onboarded to FOCA's MemberPress system with individualized web logins. As a result, the old generic "focamember" login has been discontinued.
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Association Member Families: Your association renewal contact has a link (specific to your association) that you can use to set up your own unique Username and Password as a Sub-Account of your association, in order to access all the member benefits and members-only materials on the FOCA website. Please ask your association representative to reach out to FOCA if they need assistance locating the association's link.
FOCA members are encouraged to login on the Benefits webpage to access the discount codes for all member benefits and offers from our sponsors and partners - like the new Kokomo and Park'N Fly offers, Rogers Preferred Pricing plan, AEDs from Action First Aid, Canadian Canoe Museum & Cottage Life Magazine subscription discounts, and the CottageFirst group insurance program for your cottage, boat, car, and more.
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Happy Holidays
The FOCA office will be closed for the holidays from December 24, 2024 through January 1, 2025. We wish you and your families a safe and happy New Year!
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FOCA: Inform. Protect. Unite.
FOCA is the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations, the voice of the waterfront for over 60 years. Find out about YOUR ROLE.
info@foca.on.ca | 705-749-3622 | https://foca.on.ca
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