Guiding Principles
MISSION
To identify and support solutions that restore and protect the health of Lake Winnipeg and its watershed through research, public education, advocacy, management and collaboration.
VISION
A clean, healthy Lake Winnipeg and Watershed for present and future generations.
VALUES
While Lake Winnipeg is only part of the whole we affirm the following…
We do not export our problems, we solve them
Honesty, integrity, transparency and ethical practice
Respect earth and life in all its diversity
Environmental sustainability of our water resources dictates watershed policies and practices
Earth, Our Home
Humanity is part of a vast evolving universe. Earth, our home, is alive with a unique community of life. The forces of nature make existence a demanding and uncertain adventure, but Earth has provided the conditions essential to life’s evolution. The resilience of the community of life and the well-being of humanity depend upon preserving a healthy biosphere with all its ecological systems, a rich variety of plants and animals, fertile soils, pure waters, and clean air. The global environment with its finite resources is a common concern of all peoples. The protection of Earth’s vitality, diversity, and beauty is a sacred trust.
- From the Earth Charter Preamble
LWF POSITION STATEMENTS
are expected to guide development of lake and watershed management solutions
Wetlands
The Lake Winnipeg Foundation Inc. recognizes the need to manage wetlands and encourages the preservation of existing wetlands, the restoration of degraded wetlands, and the development of new wetlands centered on technological and institutional requirements for wetland management and governance.
(March 13, 2010)
Phosphorus
The Lake Winnipeg Foundation recognizes that world supplies of phosphorus for the manufacture of fertilizers are limited and that future shortages can be anticipated as mines are depleted. In view of this, the LWF encourages the recycling and re-use of the phosphorus in any P-containing materials and discourages the discharge and loss of phosphorus as a waste product.
(June 15, 2010)
Climate Change
Global climate warming, from human-driven increases in atmospheric CO2 with associated changes in rainfall, runoff, evaporation, ice duration, and temperatures in the Lake Winnipeg watershed, is impacting the Lake Winnipeg ecosystem.
Extreme hydrological events, such as flooding and drought, are becoming more common and are detrimental to the lake’s ecology and biodiversity. Increasing water temperatures are contributing to proliferation of toxic blue green algae and to invertebrate species changes which ultimately influence the Lake Winnipeg fish community.
Lake Winnipeg Foundation supports policies and practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
(February 1, 2012)
Position Statement on Biodiversity
is under development…
PRIMARY GOALS
RESEARCH
To provide financial support for scientific research. We firmly believe that there are solutions and that scientific research is the key. It is research that will create an understanding of the complex relationships between the lake and its watershed. Research will show the impact of nutrient and contaminant loading, erosion, habitat and wetland loss, and drainage alteration on Lake Winnipeg health. While much has been learned, Lake Winnipeg and its watershed have received relatively little scientific study and much remains to be learned. This knowledge can be used to educate anyone interested in the Lake as well as to influence decision makers and consumers. Without this knowledge, well-informed decisions and appropriate environmental management plans cannot be made.
EDUCATION
To communicate lake and watershed knowledge which encourages societal changes that benefit lake health for future generations.
ADVOCACY
To encourage individual citizens and their governments to promote ecological health through individual behaviour, legislation, policy and programs
MANAGEMENT
To endorse and promote lake management based on the best current science
COORDINATION and COLLABORATION
To act as an umbrella organization for people working on issues that affect Lake Winnipeg and its watershed