Dear Editor:
Do you remember the thrill of catching a frog for the first time? Do you remember chasing minnows at the water’s edge, your first fishing trip, splash fights with friends, or learning to swim? Anyone lucky enough to live near or have access to a lake probably has these kinds of treasured memories.
The reason I’m writing to you today is because every one of us in this area, myself and my family included, have a close connection to our surrounding water. We are fortunate enough to have Muskrat Lake, creeks, and rivers right at our doorstep that add to the natural beauty of the Ottawa Valley and provide us with places to enjoy nature, whether by ourselves or with our families.
I want to speak to the part of you that loves sitting at the edge of a lake and listening to the waves, the part of you that grew up fishing with your parent, the part that loves watching the absolute delight on a toddler’s face when they get splashed with a wave.
Pay attention, because this is important: Our lake is dying.
Our lake is dying, but it’s not dead yet. There is a chance we can breathe the life back in but to do that, we need you. All of you.
I know you’re busy, you don’t have a lot of time, you may not think you have the skills, or maybe you just think you’ll help out with this later. The problem is, there may not be a later. There was a time this community was renowned for being a place where neighbours helped each other, but somewhere along the way it seems like people stopped caring.
I grew up here, my husband and I raised our daughter here and we farm here, and I just don’t believe that people don’t care anymore. Please, all skills are needed, everyone can be of help. People with ideas, people with skills in everything from paperwork to general labour, anyone who has ideas or wants to try new things, we need you. We can call in experts to help, but we need the support of the community to get anything done.
If everyone in the community bands together there is a real chance we can save our lake for future generations. The Muskrat Watershed Council is holding a volunteer drive on November 19th, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at the Whitewater Council Building, 44 Main Street, Cobden (enter from the parking lot at the back). We need you to be there. Please, let’s not be the community that lets Muskrat Lake die. We are better than that.
Thank you for your time,
Karen Coulas
Cobden
Farmer and volunteer with the Muskrat Watershed Council
