We are a group of likeminded people in North Kawartha tackling the spread of Aquatic Invasives Species (AIS).  We are made up of members of the cottaging and local community.

We are taking a two-pronged approach to tackle Aquatic Invasive Species in the area:

  1. Aquatic Invasive Species:
    • Increasing community knowledge of Aquatic Invasive Species and their impact on native species, and
    • Connecting community members with Invasive Species organizations  to assist in the identification of Invasive Species in local lakes
  2. Clean-Drain-Dry Practice:
    • Spreading the word of the Clean-Drain-Dry practice, encouraging its adoption, and
    • Facilitating hands on training in exercising this practice

Where We’ll Be

  • Holding an on-line awareness session in March 2024 for the supporters of the initiative to get their continued support,
  • Presenting at the KLSA Spring Public Meeting – May 25, 2024
  • Hosting and presenting at the Lake Health Seminar – June 8, 2024 – NKCC
  • With OFAH, providing training on Clean-Drain-Dry practices (Contact us to let us know if you would like to attend),
  • Attending AGMs and community events to spread the Invasive Species and Clean-Drain Dry Messages to the community,
  • Increasing community knowledge of Invasive Species,
  • Facilitating the identification of Invasive Species in local lakes,
  • Increasing community knowledge of the Clean-Drain-Dry practice,
  • Looking for funding sources for improved signage, and
  • Communicating, communicating, communicating (Subscribe if you would like to stay up to date).

What We have Done So Far

  • We have laid the foundation for the project by forging relationships with Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), and North Kawartha Township, among others to build support for our initiative.
  • OFAH will be supporting our initiative and helping  to train lake associations in Clean-Drain-Dry practices. In addition, OFAH will be providing educational material to community members.
  • MNRF is our first point of contact for advising on the Invasive Species Act and the permitting and approval requirements.
  • We will be reaching out to organizations to facilitate working with the community to identify Aquatic Invasive Species in our area.

Who We Are

Core Team:

  • Founder – Diane Trauzzi
  • Project Director – Vickie Hartog

Extended Team:

Local Focus – North Kawartha

Our goal is to bring the Invasive Species and Clean Drain-Dry messages to lakes in North Kawartha, including:

  • Anstruther Lake
  • Big Cedar Lake
  • Chandos Lake
  • Eels Lake
  • Jack Lake
  • Julian Lake
  • Long/Loucks Lakes
  • Loon Call Lake
  • Raccoon Lake
  • Upper Stoney Lake
  • Wolf Lake

How We Are Funded

We function on a voluntary basis at this time. We are looking for funding mechanisms to improve signage and conduct outreach. NORKLA is an advocate and sponsor for nominal funding.

In August 2023 Big Cedar Lake Stewardship Association applied for a DFO grant to fund the purchase of CD3 units, for the North Kawartha area, to increase awareness of the impact and spread of Aquatic Invasive Species; and to facilitate Clean-Drain-Dry. While we did not receive funding, we would like to thank the following groups for their support of the application and for their ongoing support of the initiative: