Read more about the article Capturing Vilas County’s beautiful starry-night skies
Northern lights reflecting in Plum Lake

Capturing Vilas County’s beautiful starry-night skies

My 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.

Continue ReadingCapturing Vilas County’s beautiful starry-night skies

Youth Conservation Poster Contest

Daryn Smolinksi, Mollie Waltz, and Clark Higley are the winners of the 2022 Vilas County Land & Water Youth Conservation Poster Contest.

The Vilas County Youth Conservation Poster Contest is held annually to promote youth awareness of local land and water conservation issues.  Vilas County Land & Water staff partner with teachers, home schoolers, and other educators to offer lessons that meet academics standards.   This year Land & Water staff were able to go into classrooms with soil samples and vegetables to teach the theme of “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life”.

(more…)

Continue ReadingYouth Conservation Poster Contest

Attitudes toward aquatic invasive species

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.

Continue ReadingAttitudes toward aquatic invasive species

Izabella Mitchell of AV-W Wins Vilas County Poster Contest

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.

Continue ReadingIzabella Mitchell of AV-W Wins Vilas County Poster Contest

Debbie Millar (Ballard Lake) receives Blue Heron Award

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!

(more…)

Continue ReadingDebbie Millar (Ballard Lake) receives Blue Heron Award
Read more about the article Beware of the New Zealand Mud Snails
Center for Lakes and Research / Flickr - http://j.mp/1SPGCl0

Beware of the New Zealand Mud Snails

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. (more…)

Continue ReadingBeware of the New Zealand Mud Snails

Dissolved Oxygen in Lakes

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. (more…)

Continue ReadingDissolved Oxygen in Lakes