Do What Matters
Lake Friendly Practices reduce excess nutrients and other contaminants from entering our waterways. These actions and projects will help recover nutrients at the shoreline and on the land and help restore the health of lakes.
Saving Lake Winnipeg is a huge challenge. It will take time and commitment by many to achieve. But we must take action now.
Small Actions = Big Impact
Everywhere
Our everyday actions impact the health of our fresh water. We can all make changes.
Some simple Lake Friendly Practices:
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Don’t be wasteful with water
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Purchase goods made by manufacturers that have taken steps to reduce their impacts on the environment and minimize pollution to our waterways
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Promote and support Lake Friendly actions
At Home
What goes down the drain in our cities and towns can end up in our rivers and lakes.
Some simple Lake Friendly Practices:
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Don't dispose of pharmaceuticals, food, or chemicals down the drain
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Compost vegetable waste, yard waste, and lawn clippings
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Choose to grow plants that require low amounts of water and nutrients
At The Cottage
Going to the cottage is your time to get away and connect with yourself and nature.
Some simple Lake Friendly Practices:
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Consider replacing your standard toilet with a composting toilet
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Don’t discharge black or grey water overboard when boating
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Make sure only rain and snowmelt drains to waterways
On The Farm
Farmers need water for many things, such as to grow crops and provide their animals with clean water to drink.
Some simple Lake Friendly Practices:
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Carry out nutrient management planning on an annual basis
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Provide off-stream watering for livestock
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Explore opportunities to store and re-use runoff and drainage water
For Schools
Young people can influence friends, families, and communities. Schools and school boards can set an example.
Some simple Lake Friendly Practices:
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Link curriculums to Lake Friendly resources
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Buy paper and wood products that come from responsibly managed forests, such as Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified products
For Businesses
Businesses can make changes that inspire their employees to do the same.
Some simple Lake Friendly Practices:
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Buy cleaning products that are environmentally certified
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Create sustainable policies for employees to follow
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Hire landscape and maintenance services that minimize impacts to waterways
For Governments
Local governments can be good stewards and examples for their community members and communities across the province.
Some simple Lake Friendly Practices:
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Remove vegetation only when it blocks the flow of water or excess sediments have gathered
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Create a road maintenance plan that reduces the impacts on all waterways
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Don't apply dust control products during rain