Tuc-el-nuit Lake residents will soon have personalized lakeshore property reports on how to keep the lake healthy

Photo: SILT

A previous Love Your Lake fact-finding mission in the Okanagan.

Trained crews from the Southern Interior Land Trust will be conducting shoreline assessments on Tuc-el-nuit Lake in June as part of the ongoing Love Your Lake program, aiming to help lakeside property owners learn how to protect water health and quality.

“Building on our work last year on Skaha and at Twin Lakes, we are providing property owners with information about the Tuc-el-nuit Lake shoreline this year," said Al Peatt, SILT executive director.

Crews will observe the shoreline from boats and use information gathered to create a free property-specific report which homeowners can choose to access on a voluntary basis, containing tips on how to tailor their land to help both the overall lake health and lower flood and erosion risk, all while maintaining the beauty of their property.

"A lot of property owners don't necessarily understand how their property management decisions may influence the water quality in front of their property," Peatt said.

"This project ties that together in a very positive way and provides an opportunity for the land owner to look after their own interests rather than relying on government to fix a problem after it develops.”

Climate change has increased issues like toxic algae blooms in Okanagan lakes, and Tuc-el-nuit lake in particular has seen those issues rise in recent years.

The Love Your Lake program is entirely educational and not mandatory. Once shoreline surveys are complete and personalized reports are created, property owners will be notified by mail.

"It’s like a free consultation with a professional biologist," Peatt said.

"And we are happy to help land owners receive their reports and get any advice they may need to act on our suggestions.”

The Southern Interior Land Trust is a local charity that works to protect wildlife habitat for all living things, including people.

Major funding for the project is provided by the South Okanagan Conservation Fund, administered by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. The Town of Oliver is a member community for that fund.

For more information about the project, or to help support the Southern Interior Land Trust, contact Al Peatt at (250) 328-4699 or visit www.siltrust.ca.