the meaning of membership
Members have always been the engine that drives LWF forward. Since day one, when LWF was formed by concerned lake-lovers in the village of Dunnottar, our founders recognized the incredible power of collective, grassroots action to protect Lake Winnipeg.
Certainly, we depend on members’ donations to support our work. LWF members are funding the development of proactive, feasible, impactful solutions to reduce the algal blooms that plague Lake Winnipeg. In fact, charitable gifts from our members are the only funding source we have to develop public policy solutions for Lake Winnipeg, as most grant agreements prohibit the use of grant funds for advocacy.
Yet the solutions to Lake Winnipeg’s challenges require policy change – and LWF’s greatest strength is our evidence-based advocacy.
It’s a strength that comes from the synergy of scientific expertise and community commitment – our unique capacity to translate science into action and transform ordinary people into knowledgeable water advocates.
Together, we’ve compelled governments to improve sewage treatment; together we’re generating invaluable phosphorus data that points the way towards solutions. Together we’re protecting Lake Winnipeg.
LWF’s science advisors – leading limnologists, hydrologists and ecologists – guide the way. They generate the research that focuses our efforts, and they review our priorities and programs to ensure our approach is credible, defensible and supported by sound science. Their expertise is invaluable. But our science advisors themselves are the first to admit that they need you – our members – to turn their research into real solutions.
Scientific research doesn’t become effective public policy all on its own. Regular people must take up the cause, letting politicians know what matters to them and why.
Every member who donates to LWF is casting a vote of confidence in our mission, investing in our vision of a clean, healthy Lake Winnipeg. As more members join our community, our influence grows and our mandate becomes increasingly impossible for policymakers to ignore.
This is why we have set ourselves the audacious, ambitious goal of growing to 10,000 members. We know there are 10,000 lake-lovers out there, and that we will become stronger by working together – our voices raised in a collective chorus and our efforts amplified by a shared purpose.
When you donate to LWF to become a member, we will gratefully steward your donation towards the most impactful solutions for Lake Winnipeg. But we won’t send you trinkets and we can’t give you exclusive access to any special facilities or services. Lake Winnipeg is for everyone, and LWF membership isn’t transactional. Instead, we hope to offer you something transformational – the knowledge, tools and community connections needed to make meaningful change for Lake Winnipeg.