LSRCA is leading a 'One Voice Action Plan'

LSRCA is leading a 'One Voice Action Plan'


The recent release of The Naked Truth: Going behind the Science of Lake Simcoe, by the Windfall Ecology Centre and the Ladies of the Lake community group, is another demonstration of the much welcomed level of public interest in the health of Lake Simcoe, according to the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA).

"They are to be applauded for their resourcefulness in devising an admirable marketing and public relations campaign through allegiance, focus and ingenuity," said Gayle Wood, chief administrative officer of LSRCA. "The report brings some of the best scientific understanding of the lake's issues together with suggested social activism on personal, corporate and government levels. We are glad to see the available scientific work used so foundationally in developing a call for social action."

"We share a common purpose with groups like the Ladies of the Lake and the numerous other Lake Simcoe community advocacy groups," she added. "While we applaud their enthusiasm in presenting the information creatively, the whole truth is that it's time to focus and pool all of our resources for the lake."

The Naked Truth report acknowledged that: ". . . help must come from scientists, governments, and also the communities of people that Lake Simcoe has taken care of for centuries . . . ,"and that ". . . action is needed by a range of different stakeholders who unite, orchestrate and leverage their knowledge, wisdom, efforts and energy."

"We couldn't agree more," Wood declared. "We need to fully partner - through our One Voice Action Plan process - combining our expertise with their inspiring energy and creative resources. Let's not continue to walk a separate but parallel path . . . we need to truly define the future together."

The authority pointed out that those who have dedicated their professional lives to the lake know it needs urgent and coordinated help from everyone.

"Although much has been accomplished for the lake, much is yet to be done," observed Mike Walters, director of watershed management for LSRCA. "Unfortunately, over the past 15 years, LSRCA's efforts to protect and restore Lake Simcoe have been seriously encumbered by changing political priorities and a lack of adequate and sustainable funding."