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
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
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 Hernandez with the Larry Kallemeyn Award. This award acknowledges the outstanding contributions made to water resources management and science in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed. Cary, a long-time employee of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, was recognized for many contributions over his lengthy career. In addition
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.
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.
The 2025 series of free “Ask An Expert” webinars returns this fall! Please register for sessions of your choice using the links below.
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