The new Board of Directors for the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society gathered aboard the organization’s pontoon boat moored at Walnut Beach Resort. Seated (l-r) are Maxine Boxwell (Treasurer); Dave Kumka; Julie Umberger (Director at Large); Barb Chipperfield (Secretary); Deb Sherwood (Vice-President) and Birgit Arnstein (President). Photo Credit: OLWQS
“This past year was like no other for our Society,” says Birgit Arnstein, President, OLWQS. “We adhered to all the health and safety protocols, and managed our communications via email and telephone calls.
And, while we were not able to conduct any of our fund raising and educational events throughout the year, we still managed to monitor Osoyoos Lake water using our trained volunteers and pontoon boat.”
New to the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Board of Directors is Dave Kumka who will work closely with fellow Board members Julie Umberger (Director at Large), Deb Sherwood (Vice-President) Maxine Boxwell (Treasurer), Barb Chipperfield (Secretary) and President Birgit Arnstein.
“We are sad to lose our Boat Captain who has been an amazing resource on all things related to boats. Indeed, he was very instrumental in securing our pontoon boat and our motor and getting it set up for use. He spent countless hours making sure all the ‘parts’ were connected. He has managed both the winterizing and preparing our boat/motor for launch each spring. Iain has also trained other captains and has overseen the safe operation of our boat for many years.
Thankfully, Iain will manage our boat during this monitoring season, however it also means that we are looking for a new Boat Captain with a valid Pleasure Craft Operators Licence and technical knowledge of boat maintenance.”
Arnstein added, “Kudos to all of our wonderful volunteers who continue to support our Society’s efforts to collect important water data, fundraise, educate and promote public awareness of the lake, covering issues such as conservation, pollution and lake management.”
“We also could not survive without the heart warming and generous support of local organizations such as the Walnut Beach Resort. They continue to provide important secure storage for our valuable water monitoring equipment and a boat slip at their marina. And the Town of Osoyoos continues to provide us with winter storage space for our boat and trailer and free meeting space at Sonora Centre, when it is safe to do so.”
About Osoyoos Lake Quality Society.
The Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society (OLWQS) was founded in 1991 by community members to help promote public awareness of the lake, covering issues such as conservation, pollution and lake management. It is a non-political, non-profit charitable organization run entirely by volunteers.
For more information or interviews contact:
Ms. Birgit Arnstein, President, OLWQS (250) 408-5460 (cell) OLWQS4INFO@GMAIL.COM WWW.OSOYOOSLAKE.CA
