Blue-Green-Algae

Over the weekend we spotted what initially looked like a green pine cone… until it squirmed. Turned out it was the caterpillar form of the Modest Sphinx Moth!

Adults are on wing from mid-June to mid-July in Canada. In the northern part of the range, there is one generation with adults on wing from may to July. Farther south, there might be two generations per year.

The larvae feed on poplar, willow and cottonwood species

- Source: Wikipedia

2020 Yoho Lake Association AGM

2pm on Sunday Sept 13th at 374 Yoho Lake Road.

Outdoor meeting (following the self distancing rule set out by the province) we do have a location to use but we would need to be RSVP. No BBQ at the meeting and bring your own lawn chair would be a must. Meeting time will be controlled to allow for discussion but limit time required

We are looking for attendance and input in this trying situation.

Topics for Discussion

1. Blue Green Algae Bloom
2. Geese Population/Potential ETF application for vegetation/fencing
3. Funday Boat Parade and Fireworks
4. Vacant Positions on Board

Membership renewal is also a big part of the AGM, we included forms in the welcome packs as well as have a printable form on the website that can be mailed in.

Please reply to sean@haleys.ca by August 31, 2020, or call my cell 506-260-3889.

Membership Form

A group with the University of New Brunswick is placing three nets in the Scout Camp area, marked by buoys. The will be sampling fish species in Yoho Lake over the next few days.

Please avoid visiting these areas and do not disturb the nets or buoys.

The information collected will be provided to the Yoho Lake Association.

The result of the water sample taken at the Scout Camp last week has been received and confirmed as Blue Green Algae.

We have attached an update from the Department of Health confirming that Blue Green Algae was detected in water samples taken at the lake last week. Please read more here: AlgaeSheet.pdf

Update: We have reached out to the Department of Health for more information, as many of our residents are expressing their concern and are looking for guidance. At this time we only have the sheet that they have provided as official information.

Update #2: Bonny Hoyt-Hallett wanted to add some further clarifying language:

As you know the sample of the algae bloom from the Scout Camp was sent away to Quebec for testing. They did a microscopic exam and determined it was a blue green algae bloom. As you are aware some types of blue-green algae are capable of producing toxins. This bloom was not tested for toxins but we treat all blooms as potentially toxic. Please refer to the question and answer sheet provided in the welcome package or on the websites referenced for further information regarding usage / cautions.

You will see that the references are related to the bloom area itself and being cautious as we enter the water, as blooms can move with wind shifts or can completely dissipate.

I have contacted RPC to encourage them to move forward with local testing including genetic testing. They have been considering this and my contact was well received .

Again, please review the material from the websites and govern yourself as you are comfortable.

Bonny Hoyt-Hallett

On Friday, July 10, 2020, some pictures were shared on Facebook which appear to show a bloom of blue-green algae by the Scouts Canada Lodge. The New Brunswick Department of Environment has visited the site to take samples that will be sent to a laboratory in Quebec for chemical analysis in order to determine what is present in the water and whether it poses a danger to users of the lake. The hope is that results will be returned by mid-week, next week.

The province has made available some general safety information about Blue-Green Algae on their website: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/ocmoh/healthy_environments/content/blue_green_algae.html. Please educate yourself by following the above link; we have provided some safety information below as well.

Some blue-green algae can produce toxins, which can cause skin, eye and throat irritation. More serious health effects such as gastrointestinal illness can occur if toxins are consumed.

Public Health recommends the safety advice below for all recreational water bodies including the ones with advisories. Its important to remember that just because you don’t see it in the area your swimming, it doesn’t mean its not present elsewhere. Our safety advice is primarily targeted at humans, for animal specific information, please talk to your veterinarian.

Safety advice includes:

• Always check the water before entering and avoid using the water if algae is present
• Do not swallow lake or river water when swimming, and always supervise young children and pets in recreational waters.
• Bathe or shower immediately after swimming.
• Do not enter the water with open cuts or sores.
• Do not use water from areas with blue-green algae blooms for drinking or cooking. Boiling the water will not remove toxins. Always obtain drinking water from a clean and safe source.
• Fish caught from water where algae are present should have all their organs removed and be rinsed well with clean drinking water before being cooked and eaten.
• Even if no algae are present, it is recommended you shower with clean water after being in recreational waters.

Hi everyone! We’ve added a new section to the Yoho Lake website for 2020 Yoho Lake Swag! Have a look at what’s available over on the Swag page.

As most people are probably aware, the Roadside Pickup this spring was cancelled. The Yoho Lake Association encourages everyone to consider picking up garbage along the roads and trails whenever able to help keep the community looking clean and keep wildlife safe from harmful garbage.

One of the best parts of life at Yoho Lake is the diverse ecosystem of plants and animals that live here. To spread our love of nature, the Yoho Lake Association is starting a new section on our website dedicate to the ecology of Yoho Lake called the Weekly Wildlife Spotlight.

More details to come soon, but for now enjoy this observation of a Comma Butterfly (inaturalist.org) that I made along the Yoho Lake Road roadside trail. Bonus points if you can narrow down the species!

Update: the meeting has been cancelled. More details to come.

The following is a message from Briana Cowie at the New Brunswick Alliance of Lake Associations:

Hello everyone,

I hope you have been well! I wanted to reach out to you to say that we will be having our Spring Meeting on Saturday, May 2nd from 10 AM - 1PM at the Fredericton Inn.

If you would like to attend please fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/​AKt1n17jb133qcmy6. Also, if there was something that you wanted to have on the agenda or something you wanted to speak about at the meeting, please let me know. I’ll send out an agenda in the next few weeks.

We will likely be discussing the new website design/social media marketing and some committee reports as well as our final ETF report. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Best,

Briana

We received a request for participants in a survey for a program intended to assist in shoreline restoration. Please see below:

Development impacts (e.g., habitat loss, pollution) are affecting the health of and ecological services provided by shorelines across Atlantic Canada. Fortunately, there are science-based tools and best practices to help minimize the impacts of new developments and restore shoreline ecosystems of previously-developed sites.

Plans are underway to customize the BC-based Green Shores® program to Atlantic Canada so waterfront owners can better enjoy their property and organizations working on shorelines can make better decisions.
If you are a waterfront property owner or an individual working on shorelines we’d like to hear from you! By participating in a short survey you can help bring shore-friendly solutions to Atlantic Canada. Be sure to complete the survey by February 28, 2020.

Waterfront property owners, click on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/​r/Greenshores_Owners
Individuals / organizations working on shorelines, click on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/​r/Greenshores_Organizations

Thank you in advance for sharing your views. For further information, please contact DG Blair, Executive Director of the Stewardship Centre for BC (dg@stewardshipcentrebc.ca).

The attached one-pager provides more information on the Green Shores® program: Green_Shores_Info.pdf