As we reflect on 2023, we want to share some of the great partnerships we currently have and encourage you to join LMRA in 2024 to assist us in carrying out our mission.
LMRA has emerged as a standout organization on waterways across the nation with our activities focused on Protecting, Preserving and Promoting Lake Martin and the surrounding communities. One of the key differentiators that makes LMRA successful is our dedication to cultivating robust partnerships to achieve our goals, those of our partners, and the communities we serve. Our members are a big part of this. While many organizations may appear to support Lake Martin in similar ways, it is LMRA’s emphasis on the power of collaboration. These strong alliances have enabled us to be a trailblazer in the advocacy, environmental conservation, safety and community engagement space for Lake Martin for more than 50 years.
LMRA understands that the key to addressing complex challenges that face Lake Martin lies in forming robust partnerships. These partnerships extend beyond mere cooperation or coordination; they encompass shared goals, mutual respect, and a commitment to long-term collaboration. LMRA's philosophy is to engage with various stakeholders to create a collective force that can affect change for Lake Martin. By working closely with local communities, businesses, government agencies, and environmental organizations, we demonstrate a multifaceted approach that sets us apart in the world of safety, advocacy and environmental impact.
In our mission to protect, LMRA partners closely with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) on the placement of the safety buoys across all parts of the lake as well as the summer boater safety training classes. LMRA works closely with the officers supporting Lake Martin and the full ALEA organization on their needs to ensure the waterways on Lake Martin are safe. We also have a great partnership with Children’s Harbor where we support their Captain and First Mate volunteer boater training, so their campers can safely enjoy the waters of Lake Martin.
LMRA’s close engagement with local, state and federal agencies is a testament to our desire and ability to develop and grow such partnerships. LMRA collaborates closely with the agencies responsible for water quantity and quality management as well as wildlife protection. By doing so, we ensure that the interests of Lake Martin and the surrounding areas are represented in policymaking and licensing. If you missed Steve Forehand’s great article in the July issue of Lake magazine providing insight into LMRA’s historic, and ongoing, advocacy of Lake Martin, I would encourage you to read it online!
LMRA recognizes that a key to success is gaining the support and involvement of the local community. By fostering deep partnerships with residents and local businesses, we have created a strong foundation of advocates for Lake Martin’s preservation. Most recently, we partnered with Vivian and Mike Autry of OGS Tournaments for the Beau McCary Memorial Tournament where OGS donated their proceeds to LMRA’s Light Up the Lake campaign. Their donation helps to add more lighted buoys and ensure proper maintenance of the more than 450 buoys currently on the lake. Each January the Lake Martin Young Professionals support LMRA Light Up the Lake efforts by donating proceeds of the LM YP Polar Plunge, which is a great community event celebrating the lake and the local communities at Kowaliga Restaurant. January is right around the corner so start thinking of that costume now and join us for the Polar Plunge in 2024.
Another longstanding partnership is with Alabama Power Shoreline Management where we have collectively removed numerous tons of trash from the lake and roadways in our annual Renew Our Rivers (ROR) event and partnered with them to build fish habitats with the bundling of donated live, undecorated Christmas trees. November 3 and 4 was our 19th successful year where we collected and removed more than six tons of trash from Lake Martin and the surrounding communities. For the Christmas tree fish habitat project with Alabama Power Shoreline Management, we will again collect trees after Christmas and work to assist bundling and placing these expanded habitats to support the fish population on Lake Martin.
As you can see, we have a lot of great activities and partners supporting us. LMRA expects to remain a beacon of hope for the sustainable future of our cherished natural resource—Lake Martin—and we need your help to do this. If you are interested in volunteering your time or talents in the areas of community relations, environmental impact, safety training, marketing, or blogging/posting please let us know by emailing us at lmra@lmra.info.
Many hands make light work, and we have a lot of work still to do. If you are interested in joining LMRA, please sign up at https://lmra.app.neoncrm.com/forms/main-membership-form or visit us at https://www.lmra.info/.