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Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison recently produced a report about lakeshore property owners’ attitudes toward aquatic invasive species management strategies. The report, which summarizes the results of a survey taken by over 700 individuals identified as owning property on a lake in Wisconsin, includes numerous insights that can help lakeshore property owners and lake association leaders make management decisions consistent with their goals.

In addition to our online (blog) Article and News items, VCLRA publishes 2 print newsletters per year that are mailed to members (unless a member requests digital only). The 2021 Spring printed version will be mailed out later this month; however, view the digital version now:

Vilas and Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Associations will again co-host a multi-county lakes workshop on July 16th 2021 at 9am-1pm. Climate change, high water, development, and less state protections can all impact water quality in the Northwoods and will be addressed during the meeting.

In Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, loons typically begin to arrive on their nest lakes around mid-to-late April. The first order of business is to establish a territory then attract a mate. This is done during the last weeks of April and early in May – then nesting begins.

The Vilas County Youth Conservation Poster Contest is held annually to promote youth awareness of local land and water conservation issues. This year’s theme was “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities,” and the winning poster was created by Izabella Mitchell. Her entry will next compete with nine other county winners in WI.

Happy New Year! Our January/winter 2021 newsletter is available. Read about Lakes in the Time of Covid, the Northwoods Businesses for Clean Waters Program, and more.

Finally we can say goodbye to 2020!  Each of us faced unprecedented challenges that truly reshaped our focus and priorities.

Don’t you wish increasing volunteer involvement was as easy as throwing a good cookout? We know it’s not. Here we provide eight suggestions that may help you overcome the challenge of free-riding.

The Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (VCLRA) awarded our Blue Heron Shoreland Stewardship Award to Debbie Millar of Ballard Lake for restoration completed on her lakefront property. This award was presented at our “Celebrate the Lakes Day” on July 10, 2020 via Zoom Conference Call. Congratulations to Debbie Millar!

New Zealand Mud Snails are an invasive species of snails originating from fresh water lakes in New Zealand and have made their way to U.S. freshwater streams and lakes. Although these invasive snails have yet to invade Manitowish Waters, they have made a successful living nearby in the Great Lakes.

Turnover is a phenomenon that occurs in terrestrial bodies of water, such as lakes and ponds, in which the water near the surface of the lake (epilimnion) is replaced with the water near the bottom of the lake (hypolimnion) to establish a homogenous mixture. Lake turnover occurs during both the fall and spring when the

Similar to the stratifying temperature gradient of any given lake, dissolved oxygen also exhibits a stratified nature that is directly influenced by the lake thermocline, and thus season. Dissolved oxygen refers to the individual molecules of oxygen taken up from the atmosphere and in some areas where groundwater discharge occurs.

This is the video of the online Zoom conference held on Friday, July 10.  The six-county lakes & rivers event explored ways to encourage lake property owners to follow lake-friendly and environmentally responsible practices. The conference agenda is here.

Our latest newsletter (June 2020) is now available. It is notable for being the first newsletter published since the Covid-19 outbreak.  Our board continues to work remotely on the issues that are so important to our lake community. We are very appreciative of our many members who have already renewed, as well as the generous

Lake advocates and lake lovers from six northern Wisconsin counties are invited to an online discussion by Zoom video-conferencing of issues related to lake quality and protection on Friday, July 10.  The live discussion, from 9 a.m. to 1 pm, will explore ways to encourage lake property owners to follow lake-friendly and environmentally responsible practices.

The corona virus (Covid-19) has created an unprecedented global health and economic crisis. In this moment in time, we have in common with all other people on our planet the same fear, anxiety and stress over its impacts on the health of our family and friends, as well as its consequences for our society and

Shoreline Gardening for Healthy Lakes and Rivers CLMN webinar series May 5, 2020

Vilas County issues advisory to seasonal homeowners. On March 20, 2020, the Vilas County Public Health Official declared that a Public Health Emergency exists in Vilas County. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the national spread of the COVID-19 virus, Vilas County Government issued the following inter-county Travel Advisory. It urged seasonal or second home

Focusing on Resilient Lakes and Rivers is the theme for this year’s annual Lakes & River Convention, which will be held on April 1-3 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point. For the first time, the lakes focus of this annual event has been broadened to include rivers and streams…

Natural shorelines and water resource protection was the focus of the annual workshop of lake group leaders and members from six northern Wisconsin counties on Friday, July 12, at Nicolet College in Rhinelander.

This year, we are pleased to recognize Northland Pines High School senior Noah Miller as our 2019 VCLRA scholarship award recipient.

As a follow up to investigations into the economic value of waterfront properties in Oneida and Vilas Counties, researchers from UW-Eau Claire, researched the link between water clarity and the sale prices of waterfront homes.

Vilas County Land & Water Conservation Department is seeking lakeshore property landowners wanting funds to improve lake water quality or shoreline habitat.

A lake is a fascinating living system, full of mysteries and things to discover, if you look closely. Here are ten things you may not know about the world beneath the waves.

The Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (VCLRA) was pleased to award its inaugural scholarship to Lakeland Union student, Joseph Boyle.