Our Why

Whistler Lakes Conservation Foundation (WLCF) is a registered, not-for-profit charitable organization committed to advancing aquatic and environmental education, research and conservation activities. As an advocate and voice for Whistler lakes and watersheds we work collaboratively with BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS), BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and others to achieve our goals in several areas: monitoring and reporting, preventing the spread of invasive aquatic species, regular liaison with government agencies to address safety, environmental and regulatory issues, and promoting ‘lakefront-friendly’ living and lake stewardship through webinars and workshops.

Objects & Bylaws

Timeline

2020-2023

The Whistler Lakes Conservation Association (WLCA) was founded as a registered not-for-profit society with the mission to promote and practice conservation and environmental protection of Whistler lakes. It was created by three local residents of Whistler: Michael Blaxland, Roger McCarthy and Tom English. WLCA’s initial focus was to work with RMOW in dealing with noise, pollution, safety issues and dock management. Its membership was limited to lakeside property owners.

2021-2022

WLCA  evolved its activities to include monitoring and reporting, and outreach and education with a longer-term stewardship focus. 

WLCA established Whistler Lakes Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program for Alpha, Nita, Alta, Green and Lost Lakes.

Key Partners included  BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS), Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and Ministry of Environment & Climate Change (ENV).

WLCA was awarded BCLSS “Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award”.

2023

WLCA membership expanded to include anyone who has an interest in conserving and protecting Whistler’s lakes.

A federally incorporated entity that had as its objectives “the advancement of aquatic education, research and conservation activities” became available in 2022. It was a perfect fit with the objectives of the WLCA. Steps were taken by WLCA to obtain control of this entity which was also a registered charity which could issue charitable donation receipts. The entity was successfully obtained and renamed the Whistler Lakes Conservation Foundation.  

WLCF signed a joint venture with Raincoast Conservation Foundation, the Sky to Sea Healthy Waters Project,  to test for contaminants in waters in the Whistler area that drain into the Fraser and Coastal watersheds. The 2.5-year program will help to identify potential threats which may then be acted upon or further investigated over time.

2024

WLCF AGM & Public Meeting was held on May 11^th with guest speaker Dr. Peter Ross, Senior Scientist, Raincoast Conservation Foundation, presenting the results of the first year (2023) of Sky to Sea Healthy Waters project.

2024 Sky to Sea Healthy Waters field season begins. “Tracker,” Raincoast’s mobile pollution lab, makes debut in Whistler.

WLCF/BCLSS  3-year reports for Alpha, Nita, Alta and Green Lakes are forthcoming in 2024.