





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 30 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!
JULY 15TH AT NICOLET COLLEGE
Six-County Lakes & Rivers Conference
Theme: wakeboats and lake capacity issues
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Managing your lake shoreline buffers for healthy waters
12 Jun , 202206/28/2022 12:30 PM – 04:30 PM CT at the North Lakeland Discovery Center Our Northwoods lakes have a protective shield – healthy shoreline buffers! Join Mariquita Sheehan, Conservation Specialist for the Vilas County Land & Water Conservation Dept. as she surveys the Statehouse Lake shoreline to quantify the health of the buffer, identify areas that
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Spring 2022 newsletter available
06 Jun , 2022Check out our latest newsletter. Learn about our upcoming, 2022 Northwoods Six-County Lakes & Rivers Conference (which incorporates our VCLRA annual meeting) on July 15th at Nicolet College, which returns to an in-person format. Our theme is wakeboats, lake capacity and other key issues impacting lakes and rivers. This newsletter also has a wealth of
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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.