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Chances are, you are a regular contributor to the struggle to find a cure for cancer, or Alzheimer’s disease, or diabetes; you probably support a humanitarian organization that works in war-torn or earthquake-ravaged areas; perhaps you also support the arts, your church, the fight against poverty…there is no shortage of worthy causes and the LCC is not in competition with them. But what about your concern for the environment? How best to get the most bang for your environmental buck?

“Think Globally, Act Locally”

While the origin of this now-common phrase is in dispute, the wisdom it embodies is widely accepted.  From Wikipedia:

“Think Globally, Act Locally” urges people to consider the health of the entire planet and to take action in their own communities and cities. Long before federal and state agencies began enforcing environmental laws, individuals were coming together to protect habitats and the organisms that live within them. These efforts are referred to as grassroots efforts. They occur on a local level and are primarily run by volunteers and helpers.

The LCC is your local grassroots organization, the one that concerns itself with YOUR community.   Our mission is singular:  The LCC exists solely to preserve the water quality and natural beauty of Lake Clear.  And while we often talk about habitat for fish, loons, and other wildlife, let us not forget that it’s OUR habitat too!  (Of course, some of us do lead a wild life, but that’s another topic.)

If you contribute your hard-earned money, you want to know that it is doing some good.  What is the primary activity of the organization you are supporting?  Many environmental groups run programs designed to educate the public on “best practices”; that is, how to live in such a way that the environment is not adversely affected.  Others work by lobbying governments at all levels to enact and enforce laws that will protect the environment.  But research has shown that educating the public does not necessarily result in behaviour change.  And governments change with every election, and with the outgoing government goes all your lobbying efforts!

The primary activity of the Lake Clear Conservancy and that of other land trusts is conservation of public lands.  Lands acquired by land trusts are protected in perpetuity, or in everyday language, forever.   While the LCC’s acquisition of only 4 properties may seem like a slow rate of progress, that progress will never be reversed, and those four properties will be forever pristine.  Similarly, conservation easements acquired by land trusts are kept on title in perpetuity, even when the property changes hands.  With your help, the LCC will continue to acquire easements on or ownership of strategic parcels of land that are important to the health of our lake.

You will also be happy to know that, as an all-volunteer organization, the LCC spends almost no money on administration.  We do not have an office or a phone line, and our workers do not get paid.  Your money goes directly to the work we do.

Not all donations need to be financial ones.  Donations of art work, objects and services are accepted as well.  The LCC will sell the items and provide a taxable receipt to the donor.  In addition you might choose to provide some item to help defray the costs of our fundraising event.