Photo by: Cameron von Bratt of Brian Hindley doing eDNA sampling in the beaver pond at Blue Lake Road in 2022.
Bulletins
2023 OLRA Resident/Guest Survey Summary
Thank you for participating in OLRA’s summer survey of residents on Otter Lake. We were
pleasantly overwhelmed to have received over 300 responses!
Respondents included a broad range of households, with many who are new to the lake and
many who have been enjoying our community for 20 or more years. While over 70% of
respondents were members of OLRA, 30% were non-OLRA members interested in participating and sharing their thoughts.
Water quality and preserving the wildlife of our environment were clearly the most important wish of residents. For example, water quality testing/monitoring and the loon survey were the most important of the current initiatives endorsed by respondents.
There was importance placed on the Annual General Meeting, Photo Contest, Boat Parade and BBQ but less than in the environmental initiatives.
Respondents also expressed a desire to learn more about the lake environment through educational tours and events, including events centred around natural shorelines, native plant species, and invasive nursery plants.
Among potential new group activities, walking, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, nature hikes, bird watching, a golf event, and a skating/hockey event were very popular.
Aside from “putting the environment first”, respondents also expressed a strong desire for education and adherence towards boating safety. The impact of unsafe boating practices and wake boats on shorelines and small crafts (canoes, SUP’s, kayaks) was also highlighted by several respondents as being a concern.
The survey did include comments regarding the Otter Lake Marina and Tappattoo resort. Those results are being shared with their respective management teams. Overall responses were very positive on their services, and gracious in their suggestions on how to “keep up the good work”. Clearly both businesses were viewed as making a positive contribution to residents.
Your OLRA Board is now reviewing your input and will be taking steps to reach out to respondents who wish to become members and who offered to volunteer their time and energy. OLRA is considering how your suggestions might be implemented so that we can play a role in enhancing your enjoyment of our community.
Your input and participation are welcomed as we strive to include your needs and wishes. Please feel free to reach out to us and help us serve you better.
A more detailed summary of the results for each OLRA question is presented below.
The 2023 Aquatic Environment Report for Otter Lake and Little Otter Lake by: Georgian Bay Biosphere
The Georgian Bay Mnindoo Gamii Biosphere (GBB) has prepared this report for the OLRA in order to provide the Otter Lake and Little Otter Lake residents with summarized water quality and fish community monitoring data for these lakes. In addition, the report provides a brief summary of a new eDNA project started on Otter Lake, recommendations for further aquatic monitoring and as well as possible stewardship activities. The report is divided into four sections to reflect these objectives – water quality, fish communities, eDNA project and recommendations.
Draft 2 of the Seguin Strategic Plan prioritizes the environment and is open for comment.
Draft 2 of the proposed Strategic Plan is open for comment on LetsConnectSeguin.ca As per public feedback on version 1, including from OLRA Board members and members of Seguin Council, this 2nd version prioritizes protecting the environment with the statements below:
Vision
What we strive to become
A bold, prosperous, and collaborative community with an unwavering commitment to prioritizing the
environment while providing an exceptional quality of life for all who live here
Foundations
These are the themes upon which all components of this plan are based – the bedrock of the Strategic
Plan. We will:
Prioritize the environment
Protect, preserve, and invest in our natural environment.
If you wish to comment, please do so before Nov. 3rd by clicking here.
Congratulations to the Winners of OLRA’s 2023 Photo Contest
The votes are in and the winners have been chosen! Congrats to all the winners and especially to Jillian Hurley who won Best Overall photo (the chipmunk close up featured here) and cleaned up in the Youth category. Way to go, Jillian!!!
Thanks very much to all who shared their best pics this year. It was lots of fun seeing them and hard to choose the best ones. To see all the winning photos here on the OLRA website go to Galleries or click here.)
Thanks again Catherine Rakosy for running this fun event for us!
Voting is now Open for the 2023 OLRA Photo Contest Until Oct. 27th!
Thank you to all of our talented photographers who submitted photos for the 2023 OLRA Photo Contest! We received 46 entries across the four categories of People, Scenery, Wildlife and Youth.
Now it is your turn to vote to choose the winners!
HERE ARE THE VOTING DETAILS:
The winners are selected by you, the members of OLRA.
Each member may choose one photo per category: Adult People, Adult Scenery, Adult Wildlife, Youth and Overall Favorite. This means each OLRA member can submit one set of votes – 5 choices per member.
VOTING ENDS ON OCTOBER 27th, 2023 AT 11:59 PM.
In the event of a tie, the OLRA Board will vote for the winner. Entries will remain anonymous and are identified by number only.
Winners will be contacted and prizes will be mailed to the winning photographers.
The entries, winning photos and photographers names may appear in OLRA newsletters, on the OLRA website, the OLRA Facebook site and in future OLRA correspondence and literature.
HOW TO VOTE:
Go to Galleries on the OLRA website and review all the entries.
Open the Voting Form using this link to see the photos as you vote.
Place your name (first and last) at the top of the form and identify your preferred photo in each of the 4 categories and your overall favorite. Your favorite can be different from your 4 picks in the categories or the same as one of your previous choices. .
If you prefer to email your choices, please send them to otterlakephotocontest@gmail.com and be sure to include the information below.
Fill in the blanks with your full name and the photo number of your choices and email to otterlakephotocontest@gmail.com
Membership Name (First and Last): _______________
Adult Wildlife #__
Adult People # ___
Adult Scenery # ___
Youth # ___
Overall Favorite Photo: Category: ____________ #:_____
Remember, only OLRA members may vote by submitting one set of votes per member.
Thank you for participating and good luck to all of the photographers!!
If you have any questions, please email otterlakephotocontest@gmail.com