Lazy Lake Environmental Association (LLEA) is receiving some much- appreciated support to help protect Western painted turtles, and other plants and animals, naturally found at Lazy Lake.

Lazy Lake draws visitors from near and far to enjoy camping, paddling, swimming and fishing. Kids delight at the sight of Western painted turtles sunning themselves on the rocks and anglers challenge themselves to catch the elusive rainbow trout the lake is stocked with. Birders enjoy spotting golden eagles, bald eagles and sometimes a Great horned owl if they’re lucky. Waterfowl include loons, geese and a variety of ducks. When the sun sets, the erratic flight paths of local bats can be witnessed as they use echolocation to feed on flying insects.

The variety of natural plants and animals found at Lazy Lake includes rare plants and animals. These naturally occurring species are threatened by climate change, development and forestry activity.

Human activity can introduce invasive plants and animals which unintentionally end up in and around the lake, upsetting the delicate balance of the flora and fauna which live there.

What’s taking place at Lazy Lake

Lazy Lake Environmental Association is taking action this summer by hosting a series of events and activities to help protect the biodiversity found at the lake:

• Canada Day Splash: Dive into Aquatic Invaders at Lazy Lake with East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC);
• Deep Dive, an underwater clean up event;
• Turtle Time, a booth to help educate visitors and campers on the Western painted turtle and how to help this at-risk species survive and thrive at Lazy Lake (with support from Baynes Lake Western Turtle Project); and

• Volunteer Lakeside Weed Pull in partnership with EKISC.

The coordination of stewardship and educational events by LLEA is possible thanks to support from FortisBC and time invested by volunteers.

If you’re at Lazy Lake this Canada Day, be sure to meet EKISC and LLEA on the beach to learn more about stopping the spread of invasive species.

Read more about the plants and animals found in the local area, many of which are at-risk:

Western painted turtle

BC Bats

BC Reptiles and Amphibians

Read more about invasive species and what you can do: East Kootenay Invasive Species Council.

Learn more about local Western turtles and efforts to help them on Baynes Lake Western Turtle Project.

Lazy Lake Environmental Association has been active since the 1990s and incorporated as a society in 2004. There are currently seven elected directors on the LLEA board.

One of the purposes of the LLEA is to protect the ecological system of Lazy Lake and adjoining shoreline. LLEA’s volunteers have been monitoring the water in the lake and the creeks that feed it for over 50 years. Volunteering currently include regular water level measurement, monitoring of dissolved oxygen levels as well as water temperature. This data helps check that the lake is in balance and can continue to support the animal and plant life found in and around it.

The LLEA is the authorized volunteer agent for the Regional District of East Kootenay to operate, maintain and repair the Lewis Creek Level Control System under two water licenses. This system is essential to assist lake users in enjoyment of the lake and to ensure sustainability for the lake ecosystem.

Lead image: Western Painted Turtle. Photo by Courtney Celley USFWS

Remaining photos by Allyson Blake

Lazy Lake Environmental Association

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