





Our Vision and Mission
We firmly believe that the natural beauty and vitality of our lakes and rivers are closely linked to healthy environments and vibrant economies. That’s what drives our vision of a future where these natural resources are protected and cherished for the high quality of life they provide.
Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association was formed 25 years ago with the mission to sustainably preserve, protect, and enhance our lakes and rivers for the benefit of all. We accomplish our mission by working with partner and supporting member families and lake organizations to foster informed and engaged communities committed to the welfare of our lake and river heritage.
Our approach
Advocacy
VCLRA works with our partners and supporting member families and lake organizations to advocate for sensible, science-informed policy to protect our natural waters and shorelands. We engage in DNR and town hearings, develop position letters to policy makers, have a presence in key committee meetings and events, and sponsor or co-sponsor scientific research studies that support sound policy.
Education
VCLRA exhibits at local fairs/fests, holds workshop events, distributes two print newsletters annually, maintains a year-round website presence, and offers a speaker's bureau service. Our Blue Heron Stewardship Award raises awareness and showcases excellence in lake-friendly waterfront development. We also developed a shoreland class for middle schools and award a high school scholarship annually.
Conservation
We assist in the formation of lake associations and districts — the first line of defense for protecting our natural waters — and provide them with support, including training and access to lake and river monitoring equipment. We also develop programs for shoreland and waterways conservation, and sponsor or co-sponsor worthy projects and scientific research studies that support these efforts.
We can't accomplish this work without you
VCLRA is a 501c3 non-profit lake conservation and education organization. All of our work is funded by generous donations, public grants and support from our member families and lake organizations. Get involved and be part of a dynamic community working to preserve our beautiful lake and river heritage. Together, we can make a difference.
Membership
For 25 years, Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (VCLRA) has been working to sustainably preserve, protect, and enhance our lakes and rivers.
We focus our effort in the areas of advocacy, education, and conservation to foster engaged and informed communities committed to the welfare of our lakes and rivers.
All of our work is funded by generous donations, public grants and support from our member families and lake organizations. Join in our work and be part of a dynamic community working to preserve our beautiful lake and river heritage.
Please print, complete, and return by mail with check.
Donations
This would ultimately support an online credit card transaction with an option to mail a check. You get emailed back a receipt for tax deduction purposes immediately after paying online. The transaction is secure because the processing is actually done on the paypal or stripe site. Regardless, the new VCLRA site is fully SSL encypted - same as used for online banking.
MEMBERSHIP & GIVING

Support our Mission through Membership
Be part of a passionate community committed to keeping our natural waters clean and beautiful. Join or renew your membership today!
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Capturing Vilas County’s beautiful starry-night skies
15 Apr , 2022My love for the night sky started when I was just a kid, as early as I can remember. I grew up on the south shore of Plum Lake in Sayner, which was the perfect spot to see the night sky. Growing up one of my favorite things to do (and my familys) was to take our boat out on the lake at night, we called it a midnight boat-ride. Once out on the lake you can see so many stars since there isn’t any light pollution near Sayner. That is where it all began.
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Regulation of wake boats: an opportunity to provide input to state regulators
11 Apr , 2022The public has an opportunity to influence state regulations through the 2022 Spring Hearing online input sponsored by The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC), which is a liaison between the citizens of Wisconsin, the Natural Resources Board (NRB) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Its purpose is to provide an avenue for public input and exchange concerning conservation issues in Wisconsin. Pending approval by the Wisconsin Legislature, what started as a Citizen Resolution can become a Wisconsin rule/law. To that end, WCC has submitted several proposed Citizen Resolution questions for Vilas County and Dane county. If these resolution questions pass the first step, they will follow the process toward a hazardous wake resolution at the state level. If successful, current State boating regulations and statutes could be changed to regulate wake boats.
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Northwoods six-county lakes meeting July 15th to highlight wakeboats and lake capacity issues
14 Mar , 2022Lake group leaders and members from six northern Wisconsin counties will convene for a discussion of the environmental impacts of wakeboats and other issues related lake recreational capacity on Friday, July 15th, and will return to an in-person event.