The Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association is a not-for-profit association of cottagers and residents on or near Lake Wahwashkesh, Ontario, Canada.
The following is the purpose, goals, priorities and values of the Lake Wahwashkesh Conservation Association as approved by its’ members at the 2023 Annual General Meeting.
MISSION:
Consistent with the Association’s Constitution, the mission of the organization is to:
- Promote and implement responsible stewardship and conservation measures to preserve and enhance the natural resources of Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh
- Protect and improve the natural environment of the Lake to ensure the year-round enjoyment by all users; and,
- Ensure effective and safe infrastructure to support the Lake
- Promote a sense of community on the Lake.
Board Goals:
- To be good stewards of the Lake and its shores
- To communicate effectively with members and listen to their views/concerns
- To maintain strong working relationships with the Municipality and other partners
- To sustain a large and growing membership to advance the interests of the Lake
- To promote appropriate social and cultural events for our members
- To advocate for responsible development on the Lake that is consistent with the mission and goals of the Association
- To promote safe and responsible activity on and off the water
- To be good financial stewards on behalf of our members
- To take a broader watershed view with respect to environmental sustainability and have a strong voice in watershed plans
Priorities:
- Develop a lake plan, including a prioritized action plan.
- Actively participate in the review of the Whitestone Official Plan.
- Monitor development applications to assess alignment with the mission and goals of the Association.
- Maintain an active role in safe and effective Lake access and parking
- Effectively utilize membership volunteers to promote Association membership and related benefits as well as create an Association Directory.
- Establish accurate levels on the lake for the 100 yr flood level and dam level, with related mapping and markers to support future septic approvals and placement.
Values:
The following are the core values that will guide how the Association Board and other volunteers will conduct themselves in pursuing the mission and goals of the Association.
Integrity:
We are honest and reliable. Our actions are consistent with our words. We uphold a high standard of ethical and moral conduct.
Accountable:
We pursue the mission and goals of the Association on behalf of the membership. We are responsible to the membership for our conduct and results.
Respectful:
We are considerate of others, appreciating the values, perspectives and contributions of those we interact with.
Collaborative:
We achieve the best results by working effectively with other individuals and organizations and instilling a sense of common purpose.
Our History
The Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association came into being officially onAugust 12, 1954. The following is a quote from the constitution adopted that day regarding the purpose of the Association::
to promote the property interests of the members and to cooperate with the Provincial Government of Ontario in the conservation of natural resources of the area so that the Lake Wahwashkesh region will be a source of continuing interest to property owners and visitors for vacation purposes.
The Association’s inception was the result of several years of informal discussions involving a few dedicated cottagers who had concern for the lake, and therefore, the interest of all at heart. Of this group, we remember the late Dr. Frank Griffin as the catalyst that sparked the organizing effort and became the Association’s first President.
On March 4, 1994, the Lake Wah-Wash-Kesh Conservation Association was incorporated under the laws of Ontario, so that the Association could formally represent the interests of the Lake during official hearings of the Ontario Municipal Board. These hearings dealt with the details of the proposed cottage properties for the Longhorn development on the Big Lake.
The Letters Patent filed during incorporation in 1994, echoed the original words of the founders:
- To promote the conservation of the natural resources of Lake Wahwashkesh in the Township of McKenzie, in the District of Parry Sound and to protect and improve the natural environment of the Lake for the benefit of all users
- To protect and promote the property interests of landowners on Lake Wahwashkesh or located nearby
Download the full version of Letters Patent 
(170 KB) or browse the table of contents of our official constitution.