What lake groups
can do
Your organization can play a vital role in defining the
future of your lake. Here are some ideas:
- Develop a lake newsletter
to keep your members informed on local and state lake news.
- Delegate people to speak for
the lake group on common issues.
- Delegate people to discover
issues that may impact your lake and report them to the group.
- Survey your membership on
lake concerns and potential solutions.
- Conduct boat landing and watercraft
surveys to determine trends in recreational use.
- Design education programs
for your members and those who impact the lake.
- Promote lake-friendly waterfront living.
Develop a shoreland stewardship packet (see the Shoreland
Friends Project) for new waterfront property owners with tips on lake-friendly
waterfront living, shoreland building rules, and ways they can be involved
in the lake community. To learn more about creating shoreland stewardship
packets, contact the WAL office.
There are many lake and watershed monitoring options to
help you learn about the lake’s ecology and track changes in the
lake’s health over time. Wisconsin also relies on volunteers to
be the eyes and ears in the lake world. Volunteers can play an important
role in assessing lake water quality and the watershed health by monitoring:
water clarity, water chemistry (such as dissolved oxygen or phosphorus),
aquatic invasive species, aquatic plant communities, and many kinds of
wildlife— from aquatic insects to birds.
Learn more about citizen lake monitoring programs; contact
your regional DNR
Lake Coordinator (Exits site).
- Develop a lake management plan and
implement it.
The guidebook, Model
Lake Plan for a Local Community (PDF 996 KB),
is a helpful lake planning resource.
Your DNR
Lake Coordinator (Exits site) can help
you get started.
Your county Community
Development Extension Agent (Exits site)
might also be able to help with lake planning.
Lake planning grants from the DNR Lake Grants
Program are available to qualified lake associations, lake districts,
and other local governments for the collection and analysis of information
needed to manage lakes.
DNR Lake Grants are also available for many lake protection,
restoration, and management activities. Contact your DNR Lakes Coordinator
for details.
- Communicate your lake and watershed
concerns to your town and county officials.
Work with your local government
whenever possible to ensure that lake protection is achieved in local
decision-making.
- Get involved in lake issues
on a state and national level.
Join the Wisconsin Association of Lakes.
- Invite a Wisconsin Association of
Lakes representative or other lake specialists to speak at your organization’s
meetings.
Contact our office
if you would like help identifying guest speakers for the topics your
group is interested in.
|
