Thank You for Helping Us Get the Lead Out!
We’re grateful for the incredible support from our local partners and the broader “Let’s Get The Lead Out” community. Their involvement makes this campaign possible—providing resources, expertise, visibility, and encouragement as we work together to protect our lakes, loons, and wildlife.
Key Local Partners:
- HCDC – We are grateful to the Haliburton County Development Corporation for selecting our Let’s Get The Lead Out program and awarding us generous funding. Their support enables us to advance lead reduction initiatives, protect lake health, and reduce lead contamination in our community for future generations.
- Outdoor Plus (Haliburton) – Our dedicated local tackle shop partner! They’re stocking lead-free alternatives (tungsten, tin, steel options) and helping spread the word to anglers in cottage country. Stop by their store at 54 York Street for expert advice and to support a business that’s backing our cause. Look for the “Let’s Get The Lead Out” sign located above the lead-free tackle.
- Emmerson Lumber (Haliburton) - A huge thank you to this longstanding local business (serving Haliburton County since 1957) for providing an in-kind discount on materials needed to construct our new multi-message sign kiosks at the boat launches and public beach. Visit them at 63 Maple Avenue for all your building needs!
- B.A.O. Beauty Clinic (Haliburton) - Thank you Jenn Emmerson for your generous prize donation in the form of a $250 gift certificate (Forma Facial). This will be featured as an exciting reward in our Lead Swap Contest at the AGM. Visit B.A.O. Beauty Clinic at 218 Highland Street for all your skin care needs, nails & waxing services and osteopathic treatments.
- Custom Tree Care – Special appreciation to Benn MacNaul for your thoughtful prize donation of a $100 gift certificate (Outdoors Plus). Your support helps make our swap contests more appealing, motivating community participation and helping us collect more lead to keep it out of our lakes. Contact Benn, a Certified Arborist, for all your tree care needs including dangerous tree removal, pruning, lot clearing, and more at bmacnaull@gmail.com.
- Shepherd Environmental Services – We are grateful to Mike and Laura for their generous donation of $100 in support of the Let’s Get The Lead Out (LGTLO) initiative. As a fourth-generation family-owned business specializing in septic and wastewater services in the Kawartha Lakes region, Shepherd Environmental shares our commitment to protecting water quality and the environment.
- U-Links Centre for Community-Based Research - Partnering with us for student-led projects in 2026-2027 and beyond. Sociology and environmental sustainability students will study outreach effectiveness, lead impacts on wildlife, hot-spot mapping, and program results—providing valuable data to guide and measure our success.
- Canadian Tire and Cabela’s - Major retailers making non-toxic tackle widely available. Their shelves feature eco-friendly sinkers, jigs, and weights—easy stops for anyone heading to Drag and Spruce Lakes.
Broader Movement Support:
- Wolfe Lake Association & fishleadfree.ca - The originators of the province-wide “Let’s Get The Lead Out” initiative (now active on dozens of lakes!). We’re building directly on their model, sharing strategies, resources, and momentum. Special thanks to Donna Garland and Margie Manthey for pioneering this effort and inspiring lake associations across Ontario.
- Other Haliburton & Ontario Lake Associations - We’re reaching out to share our approach and encourage county-wide adoption. Together, we’re creating a ripple effect for lead-free fishing!
Local Government:
- Municipality of Dysart et al Council - Approved our sign kiosk installation proposal (January 27, 2026) and are providing in-kind help with post holes, concrete pouring, and site prep.
New Eye-Catching Sign Kiosks:
A standout feature of our 2026 “Let’s Get The Lead Out” rollout will be the installation of four new multi-message sign kiosks at our main boat launches and public beach area on Drag and Spruce Lakes.
These kiosks will consolidate and modernize our signage - reducing existing sign clutter while prominently featuring the “Let’s Get The Lead Out” messaging alongside other important stewardship reminders (e.g., Eurasian Watermilfoil prevention, Clean, Drain, Dry boat protocol, invasive species identification, and respectful lake use).
Special Thanks to Our Builders and Supporters:
- The kiosks were thoughtfully designed by Jeff Montgomery (a talented member of our community and association supporter), who has taken on the full project: designing all four units, building them from the ground up using volunteer labor, and handling the installation at the approved sites.
- These kiosks will serve as a constant, welcoming reminder every time someone heads out on the water: let’s protect our loons, keep lead out of our lakes, and enjoy sustainable fishing together.
We also welcome new partners—local businesses, other lake groups, or sponsors interested in incentives, promotional materials, or events. Your support amplifies our impact! If you are interested in contributing a prize donation, gift certificate or artisan art, please reach out to Suzanne Montgomery.
Thank you to everyone helping make Haliburton a leader in sustainable, eco-friendly angling. Your partnership protects our shared natural heritage for generations.
