Dear Editor:

A belated thank you to the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society for its great work in celebrating Lake Appreciation Day in late May.

This date was also the 25th anniversary of the formation of the society.

Since 1991, when the society was initially formed, a dedicated group of volunteers has been working with local, provincial and federal agencies to assist in helping to educate not only our local residents, but visitors on the importance of maintaining a healthy lake.

The society still performs weekly water testing on Osoyoos Lake, with results being forwarded to the Ministry of the Environment.

These tests are for dissolved oxygen, turbidity, etc.

The society has also offered educational talks, presentations and activities in past years.

Unfortunately, as time marches on, we have lost a number of members to their own life changes, including more and more age-related issues.

It was great to hear that “new blood” has stepped forward to ensure that all of the great work done in the past is not lost.

Osoyoos Lake is Osoyoos.  If the lake is compromised, then we are all in trouble. This is not a scare tactic, but a fact of life.

Actions like putting toxic material down storm drains, polluting the lake with boats leaking fuel, having boaters not being responsible by not checking for invasive species, individuals not checking for invasive plant species, etc. are all things the society has been trying to educate the public on.

Membership is not expensive, and it is an investment in our town’s future by learning how we can all take some responsibility to ensure we all do our part.

There are ways you individually can assist by becoming a member of the board and working to help update material, assist with correspondence, continue with providing educational visits to local schools and organizations.

More hands make lighter work and there are some new projects coming up that are exciting.

Please consider donating a few hours a month for our main jewel – Osoyoos Lake.

This is personal request from me to try and carry on my husband’s passion for Osoyoos Lake.

Once again, thank you to everyone who goes out of their way to ensure that Osoyoos Lake continues to be a hig part of this community.

Judy Dallas

Osoyoos, B.C.