"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," a Chinese proverb advises.
Kenora and area residents concerned about Lake of the Woods water quality and ecology took their first steps towards developing a comprehensive sustainability plan for the lake during the Think Green Forum in Kenora on Saturday.  Participants identified the need to develop better communications and partnership strategies to help concerned individuals and groups work together to achieve their common goals of water quality, healthy fisheries and quality of life persists on the lake. Future education and promotion initiatives will direct the group's sustainability message to involve students, residents, environmentalists, politicians, First Nations and stakeholders committed to the long-term health of the watershed.

"We're not in a crisis situation but it's critically important we sustain the high quality of the lake so that the qualities we enjoy today can be sustained into the future," said Todd Sellers, executive director of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation.

"There's a need for international water quality agreements for Lake of the Woods just as those in place for the Great Lakes," he said. "There's a natural role for the International Joint Commission to play in the development of that agreement."

The impact of recreational, residential, agricultural, industrial and commercial development, power boats and shoreline erosion, pesticides, the introduction of phosphates through detergents and fertilizers and the growth noxious algae blooms were all identified by forum participants as persistent factors which affect Lake of the Woods water quality.

Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association environmental projects co-ordinator Kelli Saunders discussed programs the association has undertaken independently and in partnership with stakeholders, sports groups and fishing tournament organizers to address these conditions. She noted the Dock Side program educates lakeside dwellers on the importance of using phosphate free detergents while Invasive Species awareness - promoted by Kenora Bass International organizers - requires tournament competitors to scrub down their boats to prevent introducing non-resident species such as zebra mussels into the lake. She said the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation, of which she is also a director, could undertake future initiatives such as a stewardship program whereby residents can apply for environmental certification to acknowledge local sustainability initiatives on area lakes.

"The community understands the impact of poor water quality," Saunders said. "It affects the economy, tourism and the quality of life and we can't take it for granted anymore."
Keynote speaker Rodney McDonald of Natural Steps, explained how the international non-profit research, education and advisory organization applies a science based system to help individuals, organizations and communities move towards sustainability.

"The Natural Steps framework helps to get different groups working together by sharing resources and moving towards common objectives," McDonald said.  The organization has worked with the municipalities of Canmore, Alberta and Whistler, B.C. to develop long range sustainability plans to guide community response to the rapid and dynamic growth of tourism in those areas.

The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation was recently awarded a $15,000 grant through the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation to establish an environmental grants program. Community foundation executive director Denise Lysak said the environmental endowment fund will assist non-profit charitable groups such as the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation in future efforts to develop studies, programs and build relationships to enhance the tremendous recreation and economic value the lake provides to residents and visitors.
"Environment is important to the community and now we have a focus to respond to future opportunities," Lysak said following the day's discussions. "The community foundation wants to be a part of what people treasure and value here in Kenora.