Who we are:
The Pigeon Lake Watershed Association is a charitable, non-profit environmental advocacy group made up of diverse residents and users of Pigeon Lake and its watershed. It is a volunteer association whose activities are governed by a board of directors, accomplished through working committees and managed through the implementation of the Pigeon Lake Watershed Management Plan. Our Missi
on is to enhance, preserve, and protect Pigeon Lake and its Watershed as a healthy and environmentally sustainable ecosystem for current and future generations. Our Primary Work is the restoration and preservation of the natural ecosystems and water quality such that the water quality supports a healthy and well balanced fishery, is safe and enjoyable for water based recreation activities, and supports healthy and well balanced bird and wildlife populations. We work to engage stakeholders in environmental best practices such that all visitors and residents, business, industry and municipal agreements located within the Watershed (or indirectly affecting the watershed) are committed and conforming to best practices, activities in planning, developing, maintaining and utilizing Pigeon Lake and its environment. PLWA identifies, promotes and advocates land development and land use practices that are conducive to the accepted levels for environmental sustainability within the watershed. Our Roles:
We Educate…
Through the delivery of well-designed stewardship programs and events like shore-line clean up and through dissemination of educational materials, referrals and others. We Advocate…
To local, provincial and federal governments, agencies, regulators, businesses, industry and the general public; best practices in watershed management including: land use, water use and over-all environmental protection. We Inform…
All stakeholders about:
practices that negatively affect the environment
new research that positively effects the environment
sustainable environmental practices
potential impacts of new legislation on the environment
current lake conditions
We use newsletters, presentations special bulletins, conduct open forums and attend municipal council meetings. We Protect…
The lake and the Watershed by advocating and positive changes to regulations and land use bylaws. We act by monitoring land use activities, resource extraction, indicators of lake and watershed health. The lake and the watershed from any or all potential influences by acting as a watchdog and monitoring land use activities, resource extraction, indicators of lake and watershed health and then reporting / advocating and influencing positive change to regulations and land managers. Our Balanced Approach:
The PLWA, believes that achieving environmental sustainability of the lake and its watershed, requires a balanced approach. We pay attention to:
The Environment…
Which requires sound governance, appropriate social policy and financial resources;
The Economy…
Which requires a healthy environment to optimize the social experience, a healthy agricultural and commercial sectors in the watershed and surrounding region are dependent on a healthy lake. The Social Fabric…
To ensure that quality of ‘place’ to live and/or visit is maintained through enhancement preservation and protection of the environment and the economy. Governance…
To ensure that all four orders of governments (1st nations, local, provincial and federal) are committed through policy to preserving and protecting the environment, the social fabric and the economy within the Watershed.