MBC LAKES ASSOCIATION – 2025 END-OF-YEAR NEWSLETTER
Celebrating community, stewardship, and another year of caring for our lakes
Dear MBC Lakes community,
As we close another year together on Maple, Beech, and Cameron Lakes, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your continued support, stewardship, and community spirit. Below is a round-up of key updates, accomplishments, and upcoming events as we look ahead to 2026.
Save the Date: 2026 Annual Members Meeting
Saturday, July 11, 2026 – 9:30 AM
We’re pleased to welcome two special guest speakers this year: - Haliburton Highlands OPP – Marine and cottage-area safety
Turtle Guardians – Local turtle conservation and ways we can help
CALL OUT — Volunteers Needed! We are forming a Social Committee to plan a community gathering following the meeting. If you enjoy planning events or simply want to help build community connection, we’d love your participation.
Coalition for Equitable Water Flow (CEWF) Updates
CEWF has released the full package from their 2025 Annual Communications Meeting with TSW and CEWF Executives, including presentations, a recording, and valuable resources related to water management and seasonal water levels.
2025 Annual Communications Meeting – Coalition for Equitable Water Flow
Holiday Support for the Minden Food Bank
We’re extending our annual support for the Minden Food Bank throughout the holiday season to help families in our broader community.
When you donate money, MBC will match member contributions up to $1,000 — doubling the impact of your gift. Please indicate you are an MBC member when donating!
Drop offs can be made at the The Minden Community Food Center: 24 Newcastle St, Minden, ON K0M 2K0
Additional information about drop-off locations and donating: https://www.mindencommunityfoodcentre.ca/donate
FOCA Member Benefits
As members of the Federation of Ontario Cottage Associations (FOCA), all MBC Lakes households enjoy access to a wide range of benefits, discounts, and cottage-country resources.
Benefits and Offers - FOCA answers Ontario cottage country questions
Mystery Snail Monitoring Program – 2025 Results
This year was another impressive milestone for the regional Mystery Snail Removal Program. Across all participating lakes:
· 496 volunteers
· 215,839 Chinese mysterysnails (CMS) removed
· 30,973 Banded mysterysnails (BMS) removed
· 2025 total: 246,812 snails
· Four-year program total: 1,619,913+ snails removed
Results for Our Lakes
Beech Lake
- 2 volunteers
- CMS removed: 62,062
- BMS removed: 0
Special thanks to Rae Mavor, who removed 62,000 snails herself!
Cameron Lake
- 0 volunteers
- CMS removed: 0
- BMS removed: 0
Maple Lake
- 2 volunteers
- CMS removed: 1,007
- BMS removed: 0
Interested in Participating in 2026?
1. Reach out to us to express your interest.
2. We will send:
o A link to the training video
o Contact details to be added to the 2026 license
Important Dates
- License valid: May 1 – September 30
- Complete the training and submit your contact info before March 2026
Lake Partner Program & Water Testing Update
The Lake Partner Program is preparing for an exciting 2026 season, including updated data interpretation sheets across all parameters.
At our 2026 AMM, we will share:
- Full 2025 water quality results
- A new parameter added to the database: Sulphate
Sulphate levels matter because elevated concentrations can contribute to acidification and increase the mobility of toxic heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems.
A heartfelt thank-you to our Lake Steward volunteers for their dedication.
2026 Membership Renewals
Your membership supports environmental stewardship, community programs, and water quality monitoring across Maple, Beech, and Cameron Lakes.
Membership remains $30 per household.
Go to mbclakes.com/membership to renew
We wish all of out members and community a very happy and safe holiday season. We look forward to connecting with you in the new year.
The MBC Lakes Team