IDEA: Look Out for Lake Winnipeg with LWF

DID YOU KNOW that Lake Winnipeg is the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world, the 3rd largest hydroelectric reservoir in the world and the 2nd largest watershed in Canada?

Many Manitobans have friends or family with cottages in the Lake Winnipeg watershed. Unfortunately, excess amounts of nutrients such as phosphorus are contributing to the increasing size and frequency of harmful algae blooms, which are contaminating our beaches, reducing water quality, and threatening Manitoba’s important fishing and tourism industries.

The Lake Winnipeg Foundation (LWF) is an environmental non-governmental organization seeking solutions to ensure a clean, healthy Lake Winnipeg and watershed now and for future generations. LWF does great work in research, public education, stewardship and collaboration including:

• leading the Lake Winnipeg Health Plan, which identifies eight key actions to address the root causes of harmful algae blooms,
• partnering with other organizations and groups to educate citizens, pushing for science-based policy, and encouraging innovation and excellence in water stewardship,
• giving grants to community projects focused on improving water quality,
• providing subsidies for school field trips (and)
• offering presentations to schools and community groups

Will you take action and help protect the lake? There are many ways schools have been

involved in the past. Some great ideas for fundraising and awareness lake-a-thon events include: hosting a paddling endurance race or a stand-up paddleboard competition on the lake, organizing a scavenger hunt, collecting recyclables and donating the proceeds or even planning an ice-fishing outing in the middle winter!