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20152 by Deanna Panitz FOCA Membership Programs Coordinator When it comes down to it every lake association member cares about water quality. We love our lakes and we want to ensure that the beautiful setting for our cherished memories will still be there for our kids and grandkids. Water monitoring is an under-recognized public service with an important role to play in this generational process. In Ontario we are blessed that most of our waterbodies are in good condition on the swimmable drinkable fishable scale. Even where water quality is currently stable ongoing monitoring is essential to establish baselines against which to measure future developments. Trends in water quality data are best observed over extended periods of time. Time is also essential to assess the impact of remedial actions taken to improve water quality such as reduced phosphorus inputs or restored naturalized shorelines. Since 1996 FOCA has partnered with the Dorset Environmental Science Centre DESC in the province-wide Lake Partner Program LPP of water quality monitoring Read more about DESC on page 12. The LPP is a volunteer-based sampling effort that provides nutrient and water clarity data for hundreds of Ontarios inland lakes. Results for your lake are available through links here httpfoca.on.calake-partner-program-sampling-assistance. The Lake Partner Program is a good example of the importance of citizen science to the long-term health of Ontarios inland lakes. Citizen scientists and lake stewards Why Monitor Your Lake the role of Lake Stewards are unsung heroes whose ongoing efforts help to measure and maintain the quality of Ontario lakes. It is vital that these dedicated lake champions understand the value of their work collecting samples to chart the chemical properties of their lake and tracking physical characteristics so that we can better understand the impact of changing stressors on the complex biological communities in these waters. This effort is separate from water testing done by Health Units on beach water or other commercial water testing you might undertake for your well water. Please do your part to pay it forward by committing to water quality monitoring today in order to serve the needs of future generations on Ontarios waterfronts. We encourage you to find the Lake Steward at your lake and THANK THEM. If no one is in this role at your lake FOCA urges you to get involved Speak first with your local association and find out more about how and why to get involved here httpfoca.on.castewardship-foca-history. FOCA would like to thank the legions of volunteer Lake Stewards for whom this annual publication is named You are our champions.