September 2026 Updates
Your LOWWSF team may be a bit biased, but we think summer 2026 was pretty incredible. As you settle back into the regular rhythms of school, back-to-work, or whatever else marks the transition from long, languid days at the lake to the crisp routines of autumn, please read on to hear some highlights from this summer we’d like to share with you.
Emerging Science
Under the supervision of Dr. Vince Palace, Julianna, LOWWSF’s comms specialist, ran a study at IISD-ELA that looked at how wild rice grows in direct competition with two stages of cattail maturity: seeds and mature (i.e. rhizome stage) under simulated drought conditions. Read on to learn more about Julianna’s excellent Master’s research!
What does a water-secure future look like?
What does water security mean to Canadians, what challenges and opportunities do they see, and which actions the federal government should prioritize? Read on to learn how LOWWSF is engaging in this important conversation!
A summer of learning, sharing, and working on the Canadian Phosphorus Management Plan
It has been a full summer for LOWWSF, and we have been steadily working on the Canadian Domestic Phosphorus Management Plan (PMP) for the Rainy–Lake of the Woods watershed. Much of the plan is now in draft form, bringing together science, local knowledge, partner conversations, and potential actions to reduce phosphorus entering our waters.
Ask an Expert returns this fall!
We’re preparing for our annual Ask an Expert webinar series, with sessions planned for late October and November. This year’s topics will include mining research in the basin, climate impacts, water governance from Grand Council Treaty #3, and research on how nutrients move through our waterways.
Spring 2026 Updates
It’s hard to believe that 2026 is already approaching the halfway point. We’ve had an incredibly busy year-to-date and are long overdue to provide some substantial updates on the projects we’re coordinating, leading, and developing.
In the photo: In May, the LOWWSF team visited Pegamigaabo School in Big Grassy First Nation to speak with students about phosphorus management and restoring and protecting water quality. Pictured here are Meg Mills (left), Julianna Wanke (centre left), elder Roy Tom (centre right) and Teika Newton (right).
LOWWSF Awarded 2026 Youth in Philanthropy Recognition
On May 27, 2026, the Youth in Philanthropy group at Beaver Brae Secondary School (Kenora, ON) recognized four local charities, including the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation, whose work and mandates align with the school program’s core values of Excellence, Community, and Integrity.
The photo to the left, from the Kenora Miner and News, is of the 2026 Youth in Philanthropy Program students, along with Kenora & Lake of the Woods Community Foundation Executive Director Lynn McAughey (far left), as well as fellow foundation members Laura Wheatley and Liana Berezowski.
2026 Kallemeyn Award – Cary Hernandez
This year, on behalf of the community of scientists and resource managers from the United States and Canada working in our watershed, the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation presented Cary […]
Welcome Julianna Wanke, Communications & Information Management Specialist!
We are very happy to announce a new member of the LOWWSF team!
Julianna Wanke joined the Foundation in January 2026 as the first Communications and Information Management Specialist.
Julianna looks forward to bringing her creativity towards collaboratively working with the team to develop communications materials for the Foundation and ultimately, increase the environmental network within the watershed. Julianna can be reached at juliannawanke@lowwsf.com.
Teika Newton Receives 2026 Clean50 Honour
LOWWSF is pleased to announce that our Executive Director, Teika Newton, has been named as one of the 2026 Clean50 Honourees, joining an esteemed cohort of Canada’s environmental and clean economy leaders. Teika received the award as an Environmental NGO Advocate, alongside five other peers, during a ceremony in Toronto in mid-October.