Welcome to Big Cedar Lake Stewardship Association, Big Cedar, Ontario
Spring 2024 President’s Letter. Read it here
2024 Membership Renewal
Please see the membership page to download the form for 2024 renewal. Thanks to all of you that support the health and well-being of our wonderful lake.
Big Cedar Lake Health Assessment Reports
To view data about Big Cedar Lake water quality, and Lake Health Assessment reports,
see Lake Data.
Big Cedar Lake is in the forefront of other lakes in the Kawarthas in developing strategies to maintain a healthy balance of its ecology and its recreational use.
Through a creative and successful relationship first with EnviroScience and then with Trent University’s Ecological Restoration Program, under the leadership of Professor Dr. E. Sagar, our lake association has addressed the invasive Eurasian milfoil weed that had become a real threat to the natural balance of the lake and its recreational enjoyment. Using a combination of research-based solutions of aquatic predators, special matting, and physical weed patch removal, our lake has managed to contain Eurasian milfoil to acceptable levels and we are now consulted by other lakes that are encountering this invasive weed. To find out more about Eurasian milfoil and our journey to battle it, see the Eurasian Milfoil tab on the side menu. To find out more about the aquatic predators we used to help our fight against Eurasian Milfoil, see the Weevil Resources tab on the side menu.
The current challenge for Big Cedar has been the introduction of Starry Stonewort, an invasive macro-algae, which was brought into our lake via the public boat launch from the Trent-Severn Waterways in 2019. To-date, our efforts have been able to contain this invasive weed to this area. This new invasion is being battled aggressively with hand harvesting and special matting, to ensure a clear boat pathway through the sole Starry Stonewort patch located at the public boat launch. This will prevent the spread of the Starry Stonewort further into our lake as well as help to stop the spread into lakes further inland. To find out more about Starry Stonewort, see the Starry Stonewort tab on the side menu.
Today, all the scientific data recorded on the lake show excellent water quality, clarity, and cleanliness. Boating, swimming and fishing are enjoyed without significant hindrance of weeds, and the areas for fish spawning are more viable in restoring stocks.
The goal now for our Healthy Lake Program is to continue the ecological work with Trent University. This relationship ensures that we receive the know-how and the students to perform the necessary tasks. This arrangement also requires an ongoing commitment of funds to further the success we have achieved to date. Everyone who uses the lake benefits from the results. Property values are upheld when there is a healthy lake. For 2024, the BCLSA contribution of $100 will help to pay for the projects that keep our Lake healthy. Ongoing support of the association helps us all.
About the Association
The Big Cedar Lake Stewardship Association (BCLSA) is a non-profit corporation and was formed in the spring of 2011, initially to find a way to control the amount of weed that has spread throughout a significant part of the lake in the past three years. The first Annual General Meeting was held on the 24th of May weekend with a large attendance.
As outlined in the objectives of the Association a broader mandate from the members has evolved, looking at the general stewardship of the watershed and lake. It is hoped that the members will become more connected and the general welfare of the lake will benefit from these linkages.
BCLSA Email address
Please also note that we have a dedicated email address for the BCLSA bigcedarlakesa@gmail.com
All communications from now on will come from this email address – please add to your contact list.
Any questions re the BCLSA should be directed to this email as it will be monitored and your questions answered.
Please share this information with your neighbours, particularly if they have purchased recently and may not be familiar with the BCLSA.
Membership
There are approximately 130 cottages on the lake of which 71 are members as of August 2023. The goal is to have 100% membership so that we can all be represented and contribute to the well-being of our wonderful lake. The knowledge and experiences of all those who value Big Cedar Lake will make the Association a stronger entity and will lead to better understanding of issues by all who use the lake.
BCLSA Leadership
The BCLSA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who manage the day to day activities of the Association and report to the membership at large. The incorporation of the Association calls for a Board of 10 members or the number who stand at an Annual General Meeting. At each Annual General Meeting, an election will be held for Board Members. For 2024, 10 members make up the Board. The Board then elects the officers from its members.
2024 Members of the Board are:
Brian Stock – President
Diane Trauzzi – Vice President
Michael Stone – Treasurer
Norma Piggott – Secretary
Laura Jean Brand
Doug Colmer
Leo DeSorcy
Chris Graham
John Graham
Mike Mulgrew
Various committees are created and have volunteer members who agree to work as required to carry out the committee objectives/goals.
Webmaster: Cliff Homewood / Diane Trauzzi / Laura Jean Brand
A copy of BCLSA’s Bylaws are available to view or download.
Objectives of BCLSA:
- The preservation and improvement (or regeneration) of the environmental health of Big Cedar Lake in the Province of Ontario and its surroundings;
- Serve as a focal point for Big Cedar Lake stewardship and improvement projects;
- Provide information concerning matters related to the Big Cedar Lake community;
- Provide a forum for Big Cedar Lake users to meet and get to know each other.
Two extremes of Big Cedar Lake!
