NALMS Statement to our Members

    NALMS Statement to the Membership

    17 March 2025

    Dear NALMS Member,

    The North American Lake Management Society prides itself on the intersectionality of its membership. We often hear feedback from our conference attendees that we provide a unique and welcoming forum for scientists, lake management professionals, watershed associations, and community members to discuss the water resources we value and rely upon. The recent U.S. executive actions to reduce scientific funding, fire staff scientists and policy administrators, cancel environmental data collection and modeling services, blacklist research topics like climate change and environmental justice, remove public access to publication and data-sharing platforms, reduce pollution regulations, override carefully structured water resource plans, endanger federally protected lands, and block collaborative communication between American and Canadian scientists imperil the ethical and sustainable management of water bodies in North America. This statement outlines the intentions of NALMS to offer resources and support to our members most affected by these actions, as well as our role in protecting the future of lake and reservoir management.

    NALMS stands with those who have recently lost employment, funding, or professional development opportunities in light of the recent U.S. Executive Orders. We will do our best to support those who find themselves in a difficult time of transition and uncertainty through our job postings, professional certification program, and providing a scientific publication that is free for members to submit manuscripts. We recently signed onto a letter from the Union of Concerned Scientists to Congress advocating for the protection of federal employees and federal funding for scientific research. We also signed a letter supporting the continued funding of the USGS stream gauge program. We intend to remain engaged in such advocacy on behalf of our members.

    The absence of most federal attendees at the National Water Quality Monitoring Conference in Green Bay was deeply and sorely felt. While many attendees were able to pivot to virtual attendance, we recognize that recorded presentations lack the personal networking and brainstorming opportunities that characterize in-person events. We left the conference with a renewed appreciation of the importance of the connections we maintain within our community. We continue planning our Myrtle Beach conference in November 2025, appropriately named “Navigating Change Together,” with an eye toward these commitments and values.

    In context of the uncertainty surrounding DEI programs in the United States, NALMS confirms that it holds no intention of removing or reducing our JEDI program. In fact, we are in the process of formalizing it into our committee structure to ensure its continued impact. Along with our early career and outreach and education programs, we will continue to provide conference programming, workshops, internships, and grants that support the professional development of future generations of lake managers. You can find more information about our JEDI program, student programs, and early career resources on the NALMS website.

    Even though NALMS has long established itself in public advocacy for lakes with programs like Lakes Appreciation Month and the Robert Carlson Secchi Dip-In, it is worth describing how the society does much behind the scenes. Our 314 Working Group develops and implements strategies to advocate for federal funding support for state and community water programs. We contract a legislative affairs consultant to assist our advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. and keep us up to date on water-focused regulations. We are prepared to continue these efforts into the future and adapt the focus as best suits our mission.

    To finish, it is worth refreshing in our minds the mission of NALMS: to forge partnerships among citizens, scientists, and professionals to foster the management and protection of lakes and reservoirs for today and tomorrow. We hold this mission as a guiding principle for everything we do. As a small, member-driven organization that does not rely on federal funding, we exercise the independence to represent the needs of our members to the best of our ability. We are grateful for your support of the NALMS mission and goals by maintaining your membership and offering your service on committees and programs.

    It is a long and arduous journey ahead; it is best we row together.

    Sincerely,

    Victoria Chraibi
    NALMS President

    Philip Forsberg
    NALMS Executive Director