Raise funds for, and promote
health and well-being,
safety and stewardship and
public education
related to the park
Raise funds for, and promote
health and well-being,
safety and stewardship and
public education
related to the park
Raise funds for, and promote
health and well-being,
safety and stewardship and
public education
related to the park
Raise funds for, and promote
health and well-being,
safety and stewardship and
public education
related to the park
As the year draws to a close, let's take a moment to reflect on the strides made by Friends of Madge Lake. This season was marked by significant improvements, all thanks to the kindness of our supporters.
The basketball court now boasts a fresh surface and top-notch nets, having seen a flurry of activity from enthusiasts eager to test the upgrades. A first for Friends of Madge Lake was the trail cleanup and tree planting event on June 12, where over 1250 white spruce seedlings took root along the Trans-Canada Trail, promising a green future for the park's paths.
A heartfelt thanks goes out to the volunteers, whose zeal made the event a success, and to @ColumbiaCanada for outfitting our #TrailCare team in style. Their efforts, coupled with a grant of up to $6000 from Trans Canada Trail, signal a commitment to enhancing the trail experience in Duck Mountain Provincial Park. With these funds, we're not just repairing but reimagining parts of the trail for the summer of 2023 and beyond.
The Trans Canada Trail, the world's longest recreational trail, continues to stitch together Canada's varied natural tapestry, thanks to the stewardship of Trans Canada Trail and the financial backing from the Government of Canada and other donors. We aim to make the trail system in Duck Mountain provincial park an on-going priority.
Our new park brochure showcases the ongoing work of Friends of Madge Lake, and we're thrilled to continue the Memorial Bench campaign, offering a serene spot for reflection and remembrance. All benches remain eligible for a charitable receipt donation.
Excitement buzzes for the upcoming ski season with the arrival of new helmets, and the Treats and Treasures Cabin celebrated a record-breaking season for Madge Lake Hoodies. The community's overwhelming support has also kickstarted a new playground in the Kamsack Subdivision, as well as a new swing set at Ministik Beach including an accessible swing.
This year's accomplishments are a testament to the unwavering support from our community. Every donation, purchase, and penny rounded up at the Treats and Treasures Cabin moves us closer to our goals. Here's to another year of making Madge Lake a place for everyone to treasure.
Please accept our heartfelt thanks to our donors from this year.
Affinity Credit Union, Betty Andrychuk,
Jim & Cathy Arnold, Brian Armstrong,
Daryl & Val Bodnaryk, Gerald & Naomi Brounstein, Dwayne Bulizuik,
Chautauqua Gardens, Brian & Deb Cottenie, Tracy Coulthart, Janis E Dale,
Darren & Sally Driscoll, Duck Mountain Coffee, Duck Mountain Motel, Les Fedorak, Patti Hack, Leesa Haslund,
Barb Hemphill, Amanda & Ashley Howie, Sherry Kehler, Jim & Nancy Klempp, Kim Ludward, Barb Maclean & Les Schmidt, Bernice Makowsky, Donna McCudden, Brian and Joan McCusker, Don Millard, NC Septic, Dale & Kathy Nicholson, Patty Jo & Dale Nixon, Sandra Nykolaishen, Chester Olson, Michelle Ostapowich, Becki Patterson, Colleen Pennell, Larry Perpeluk, Prestige Builders, Jennifer Prokopetz, Gwen Reilkoff, Janet White Riddell, Louise Schabert, Marilyn Schigol, Kim & Lucy Schindler, Gord Schmidt, Terri-Lynn Schmitz, Bill & Alice Schneider, Deborah Sears, Paula Shervernoha, Sk Aquatics, Brad Smorodin, Andrea Smandych, Parker Summers, TD Bank, The Fixbites Product, Shannon Broda Vanin, Linda Wall, Waves, Judy Werboweski, Nancy Welykholowa, Loretta Whitta, Susan White, Bob Wynes, Triston & Taylor Yont, Doug Yurick, Dave & Maureen Zerr.
Friends of Madge Lake is pleased to announce that we will be receiving grants of up to $6,000 from the Trans Canada Trail organization. Our two organizations have formed a partnership to enhance and upgrade various elements of the Trans Canada Trail through Duck Mountain Provincial Park.
These grants require that FOML provide matching funds. This project is our 2023 priority and we would welcome donations to support the trail system.
For the summer of 2023, funds will be used to repair and upgrade a section of the Trail on the east side of the park. In addition, we have contracted with a trail consultant to provide an assessment and advice on further projects to enhance the condition of other sections of the trail.
The Trans Canada Trail is the longest recreational trail in the world, spanning over 28,000 kilometers on land and water. Linking three oceans – the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic – the Trail connects 15,000 rural, urban and Indigenous communities across every province and territory. It is a ribbon that connects Canada’s diverse landscapes, seasons, people and experiences, and fosters unity, collaboration and connectedness.
Trans Canada Trail is a registered charity and stewards this national trail in collaboration with local trail partners. With funding from the government of Canada through Parks Canada, and investments from all levels of government and generous donors, Trans Canada Trail is the largest investor in trail infrastructure projects in Canada, supporting improvements, growth and enhancements for generations to come.
Photo gallery below shows work on the trail.
Currently we have our normal, healthy loon population, with approximately 25 breeding pairs, 10 chicks and around 30 young non-breeding adults on the lake.
--Doug Welykholowa, July 18, 2023
See photos below.
Friends of Madge Lake are excited to welcome five new members to the board of directors. Sandy Nykolaishen, April McDonald, Dana Soke, Ken Cottenie and Brian McCusker have enthusiastically come on board to help with the continued good work of Friends of Madge Lake.
We are sorry to be saying good-bye to Kim Schindler, Bob Wynes and Gwen Reilkoff who have served Madge Lake well. The new members will join Patti Hack, Leesa Haslund, Nancy Welykholowa, Kevin Streat, Lance Gussie, Bobbie Wanner and Barb MacLean.
The board was thrilled at the response received from Madge Lakers not only stepping forward as nominees for the board but for those who joined us for committee work, with project ideas, fundraising ideas and volunteers willing to help.
We all love Madge and it shows!
Friends of Madge Lake is a non-profit charitable organization that promotes the preservation of the natural environment and special natural features of Madge Lake in east-central Saskatchewan for their intrinsic value and for the inspiration and enjoyment of present and future generations as a public trust.
We work co-operatively with the Duck Mountain Provincial Park management and staff to enhance the educational, recreational and interpretive programs, and the facilities in the park.
The Friends of Madge Lake home office and store is in the log cabin up the hill, east from Ministik Beach (by the ball diamonds).
Interested Friends are able to purchase souvenirs and other goods during set hours in summer.
Madge Lake is a beautiful spot and a very important place to many, many people. If you are interested in putting in some volunteer hours with us, call one of the directors or contact us through the message icon at lower right of every page.
We seek to foster appreciation and understanding of the natural ecosystems of the park, and promote initiatives enabling all visitors to enjoy recreational and outdoor experiences.
Friends of Madge Lake exists to:
The Ministry of Parks in partnership with Friends of Madge Lake piloted a Teacher’s Forest Tour on May 14 and 15 at Duck Mountain Provincial Park.
Speakers included Mike LeBlanc and Landon Sealey of Weyerhaeuser Saskatchewan, Paul LeBlanc from Louisiana Pacific, Sarah Schmid from the Ministry of Environment, and Thuan Chu from the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.
The participants included teachers and park interpretive staff from the surrounding area. A wide range of topics were covered during the two days and included an overview of forests in Saskatchewan, Duck Mountain’s forest, the role of disturbance (forest fires and timber harvesting) in maintaining a healthy age range, natural forest patterns, ecosystem management and the effects of climate change on forests.
In addition to formal presentations there were also field tours that provided a first hand look at the park’s boreal forest and its unique features and challenges.
Increasing understanding and knowledge as well as maintaining a healthy forest ecosystem ensures the forest environment, wildlife and waterfowl of Duck Mountain Provincial Park will be available for public use and enjoyment into the future and is one of three key priorities of the Friends of Madge Lake.
This event was the first of its kind to be hosted by Friends of Madge Lake and the Ministry of Parks. Over the next few weeks an evaluation will be undertaken to determine how we continue to provide this opportunity on an annual basis.
The Friends of Madge Lake Education and Projects Committee is asking you to suggest new projects for Madge Lake. If you have a great idea for a project that meets the mission and priorities of FOML, tell us about it!
Above are recent major projects undertaken by Friends of Madge Lake.
Click on any of the photos to see a larger version and toggle through the gallery.
We'd love to send you news and information about what's happening at the lake, and keep you up-to-date on the projects and activities of Friends of Madge Lake.
Please fill out the form below, and we'll make sure you are kept informed.
Copyright © 2021 Friends of Madge Lake. All rights reserved.
Friends of Madge Lake
Box 357, Kamsack SK S0A 1S0
Click the blue circle at bottom right of this page to send us a message or contact us on Facebook.
Charity registration number 786708719RR0002
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