LAKE PARTNER PROGRAM FOCA continued our longstanding partnership of citizen science monitoring of inland lakes, with the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Thank you to the hundreds of FOCA lake stewards who are volunteer water samplers across the province. Last year, more than 600 volunteers monitored total phosphorus and water clarity at over 800 sample sites in nearly 550 lakes in Ontario. The data collected by these volunteers is analyzed by scientists at the Dorset Environmental Science Centre (DESC), and can be accessed here: https://foca.on.ca/lake-partner-results. In 2017, our partners at DESC released a new ‘Trends Report’ indicating that secchi levels (measurements of water clarity) are generally stable for Ontario’s inland lakes, but the number of records submitted is down in recent years. We need more volunteers! Find out how easy it is to get involved in this important citizen science project: https://foca. on.ca/lake-partner-program-overview/. COTTAGE SUCCESSION SEMINARS FOCA was on-the-road across cottage country with estate lawyer Peter Lillico, delivering half-a-dozen in-person seminars about ways to “keep the ‘family’ in the family cottage.” FOCA has helped over 1000 families start this conversation, over the past years. Peter offers an introductory talk, as well as more in- depth discussions of particular aspects of your plan: creating a Cottage Sharing Agreement, targeting tax, and ownership structures (trusts, corporations, etc.). These sessions are FREE to all FOCA members. Get on FOCA’s Elert list for updates about a 2018 event near you. WEATHER EXTREMES AND CHANGING CLIMATE IMPACTS The spring of 2017 once again brought overland flooding to parts of cottage country, and even delayed the opening of the Trent Severn Waterway due to high water levels. As extremes become the new norm, FOCA has encouraged all waterfront property owners to adapt, in the face of these new realities. In 2017, FOCA circulated thousands of print copies of our publication, Managing Your Waterfront Property in a Changing Climate. FOCA also spoke on the main stage of the Spring Cottage Life Show about weather extremes and the changes that accompany them. FOCA’s talk, “Getting Ready for Climate Change in Cottage Country,” is available to our members as a set of slides and speaker notes that you can use for your own local meeting or in your association newsletter. Contact the office for details! info@foca.on.ca or 705-749-3622 ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF WATERFRONT OWNERS In Fall 2017, FOCA launched a research project aimed at understanding the potential of waterfront property owners (WPO) to contribute to rural economic development. Our research has confirmed WPO desire to become more involved in the economies of their waterfront communities—through business ownership, working remotely, or providing mentorship and financial support to local businesses. Over 400 respondents completed our survey and follow up interviews are being conducted in early 2018. A final report will be released in the spring of 2018. Seminars on Lakefront Issues In addition to our AGM and Cottage Succession seminars throughout the year, we hosted a special seminar event, “Strong Associations for Future Generations,” in November 2017. We had a lively day of talks and discussion, with special guests The Water Brothers, and 125 association representatives from across Ontario in attendance. Members can access an event summary, including discussion group notes on association best practices, here: https://foca.on.ca/2017- fall-seminar-summary-members-only. Lake Partner lab sample testing Cottage Succession seminar