On The Lake: Introducing Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper’s new communications associate

By Sharon Bosley
Reader Columnist

Water is life. Water is important to all living things; in some organisms, up to 90 percent of their body weight comes from water. Water is a fundamental human need. Each person on Earth requires clean, safe water for drinking, cooking and simply keeping themselves clean. 

Sharon Bosley.

Greetings fellow aquaphiles, AKA water lovers! Let me introduce myself. My name is Sharon Bosley, and I am Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper’s new communications associate. This is a new position that involves keeping the public up to date on current issues within our local watershed.  I’m excited to create a vision for LPOW’s communications strategies to make sure members of this community don’t miss a thing when it comes to protecting the health of our lake and other local waterways. We have many new and fun activities planned in the next year that will focus on keeping our lake swimmable, drinkable and fishable. Our new expanded team will continue to hold polluters accountable and keep the community informed of our progress. I have great respect for this organization and look forward to continuing to help drive their mission here on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille.   

LPOW is a member organization of the international Waterkeeper Alliance, which works collectively to protect every community’s right to drinkable, fishable, swimmable water. Waterkeeper are a global network of grassroots leaders that work to address unique issues that impact their watersheds.  Having a local Waterkeeper means you have an organization that is committed to protecting and preserving Lake Pend Oreille and its associated waterways.  Waterkeepers work everyday around the world on behalf of the common good and that’s what we’re doing right here in your backyard.

Although LPOW is a part of the international Waterkeeper Alliance, we do not receive funding from them. LPOW would not exist without the generous support of members and donors. In fact, 100 percent of our funding comes from donations, members, foundations and other grants. LPOW is truly a grassroots organization. We have no large corporate sponsors. No huge budget. Our members and supporters play a crucial role in keeping LPOW running strong and we would like to thank them for their continuing support to help protect the one thing that is important to all humans, clean water.

Feel the need to satiate your inner water warrior?  Stay connected to hear about opportunities to become involved by signing up for our email newsletter at www.lpow.org, as well as, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  Be sure to keep an eye out for our #GivingTuesday campaign. This is a day of giving in the middle of a season of consumerism. Consider giving the gift of protecting our lake this season with a membership to LPOW.  We will also be working to expand our volunteer opportunities by offering a monthly volunteer orientation. In addition, we are in the process of planning some fun events in 2019 to celebrate LPOW’s 10th year as a WATERKEEPER. So get involved and stay connected to help protect and restore Lake Pend Oreille, our Lake for Life.  

Sharon is from Michigan and graduated from Michigan Technological University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technologies.  After college she moved to Idaho to experience all of the natural wonders and outdoor adventures that this great state offers.  She worked at Micron Technologies in Boise for eight years before deciding to take a break to stay home with her two children.  At that point she realized her need to be by water and chose to relocate to Coeur d’Alene. 

 In the meantime, Sharon and her husband focused their attention on creating a sustainable lifestyle by bike commuting, urban farming and reducing and reusing as much as possible.  This focus led to Sharon’s involvement with Coeur d’Alene’s Earth Day Fair.  She planned and organized the event as a volunteer which led to her to her involvement with Kootenai Environmental Alliance.  She then joined the KEA board and soon after became a part time staff member as the development director.  This position grew and she eventually became the executive director of the organization.  As executive director, Sharon worked to expand KEA’s educational programs as well as laid the foundation for their new Water Quality testing program. Her three years of experience with KEA has given her a strong foundation for nonprofit work that will enhance the capacity of LPOW to reach a broader audience.