Patrick has been working in the non-profit and Crown corporation sector for more than 15 years. His interest in performing socially responsible work and making a difference in the Lake of the Woods area, Kenora, and the region's communities has brought him to LOWDSA.  

Patrick's broad skill set, healthy initiative, and ability to develop strong interpersonal and business relationships will help LOWDSA serve its members and the larger community by providing leadership, education, and communication on issues affecting the Lake of the Woods region.

His ability to draw on his non-profit experience will be an asset to our members. It will help LOWDSA sustain one of the most beautiful places on earth for future generations.

Cassidy (she/her) grew up spending her summers at her family cabin in Nestor Falls. She enjoys backcountry camping, paddling, waterskiing, fishing, and practically any outdoor activity that can be done in the area. Her appreciation for the environment started at a young age and translated into a Bachelor of Environmental Studies at the University of Manitoba.

Cassidy started with LOWDSA in January of 2021 as the Environmental Program Coordinator Intern and moved into a new role as the internship came to an end. Her passion and specialized study is Environmental Education, a great fit as LOWDSA’s Education and Outreach Manager – a position part of a partnership between LOWDSA and IISD-Experimental Lakes Area and the two organizations’ shared goal of reaching youth in the Lake of the Woods area with science and stewardship.

Cassidy has strong work experience in interpretation, outreach, and public relations through working with Manitoba Sustainable Development and IISD-Experimental Lakes Area. She enjoys working with the public on environmental topics, particularly her time with students and other youth audiences.

Cassidy has been very involved in the environmental community, perhaps most notably volunteering as the President of The Environment and Geography Students’ Association at the University of Manitoba.

The value of the area’s beauty and sustainability is close to Cassidy’s heart and will remain a top priority in her work with LOWDSA. You can expect to see her out on the water in her bright yellow kayak in the summer and moving across the snow on her cross-country skies in the winter. Make sure to give her a wave or spark up a conversation!

Outreach and education is key to helping everyone make their own ripple of positive change from their neck of the woods and I am thrilled to be running our programs and planning events to make a wave throughout the Lake of the Woods region. I look forward to protecting the land and water quality from invasive species, habitat degradation, and the many other threats that freshwater lakes face as it is critically important to preserve our area for present and future generations. I'm proud to have a lead role in stewardship at the association, taking action through sharing information and bringing people together for a collective impact. As our summer season is kicking off and our conservation and sustainability efforts continue to reach our members and the public, I look forward to seeing everyone at our events and around town! It's (finally) lake time!

Alena (she/her) grew up going to her family's cottage on Ottermere lake. Spending all four seasons out there made her fall in love with the area even more. This set a passion on fire for everything lake life and the environment. She found her passion for photography taking pictures at the lake and continued to document her trips to the lake through the lens. When she wasn't at the lake she likely was in the gym playing basketball, as it is one of her other passions. 

In 2021 Alena graduated from Providence University College where she played basketball for four years and completed a degree in Communications and Media. During that time she learnt so much from being apart of a team in addition to her studies. 

She looks forward to being apart of the LOWDSA team and sharing her passion for lake life. It is a dream come true to be living just outside Kenora and working with a team that has mutual goals involving the environment.