Video and photos from 2024 six-county meeting

Missed our 2024 Northwoods Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting in July? No problem — view the video plus event photos below.

This year’s six-county lakes & rivers meeting was held on July 14, 2023 at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. The annual event is jointly sponsored by the Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Association (www.oclra.org) and the Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (www.vclra.org). A committee with representatives from Oneida, Vilas, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, and Iron counties worked to develop the program, which included a five-member panel discussion on the connections among water resources and the people who use them, along with presentations on the impacts of climate change and drought on our water resources and fisheries, and the problem of PFAS in the environment.

Enjoy the video and photos! Hope to see you next year.

Program agenda

Our Summer newsletter is out!

IN THIS ISSUE:
News about the July 12th six-county lakes and rivers conference, impacts on walleye fisheries from climate change, an update on the citizen resolutions to regulate wake boats and Vermont’s ground-breaking regulation, an overview of the recent North Lakeland Woods and Water Conference, SOAR High School river cleanup and more…

view

Six-County Lakes Meeting: FINAL UPDATE

“Protecting Our Waters: We’re All Connected” is the theme for the annual Northwoods Six-County Lakes Meeting, set for Friday, July 12, 2024 at Nicolet College. Lake association leaders and members along with the general public will convene to learn about and discuss our interconnected water resources and our human connections to each other and to our lakes, streams, wetlands and groundwater.

A committee with representatives from Oneida, Vilas, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, and Iron counties worked to develop the plans for the meeting. The program includes a five-member panel discussion on the connections among water resources and the people who use them, along with presentations on the impacts of climate change and drought on our water resources and fisheries, and the problem of PFAS in the environment.

There will also be exhibits from educational and nonprofit organizations and excellent opportunities for networking. The meeting will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon. All are welcome; there is no charge and no need to register. More details and agenda revisions will be announced as the meeting date approaches, or contact Tom Ewing at president@vclra.org.

The event is jointly sponsored by Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (vclra.org) and Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Association (www.oclra.org).

View final agenda
Download press release

North Lakeland Woods & Waters Conference Held May 3rd

The North Lakeland Woods & Waters Conference will be held at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters, WI on  Friday May 3rd, 2024.

Join us for a gathering centered on partnerships and collaboration. Let’s celebrate water, explore solutions, and stay informed about the science and research related to our Northwoods and treasured lakes. Some of the areas examined include:

  • Watershed Partnerships
  • Wake Boats
  • Shoreline Restoration
  • Aquatic Invasive Species
  • Citizen Science

Registration opens at 7:30 AM followed by an optional morning bog hike on Statehouse Lake led by Licia Johnson, Naturalist and Education Director. Coffee and light breakfast included, followed by opening comments and sessions beginning at 9:00 AM. Lunch and refreshments also provided.

Last lecture session ends at 3:30 PM. Following the last session, optional workshops such as underwater remote operated vehicles or a naturalist-led botany hike will be offered.

A Woods and Water Social will be held in the Lodge from 4:30 – 6:00 PM with beer and wine by donation.

Info and registration

Northwoods Six-County Lakes Meeting Set for July 12, 2024

“Protecting Our Waters: We’re All Connected” is the theme for the annual Northwoods Six-County Lakes Meeting, set for Friday, July 12, 2024 at Nicolet College. Lake association leaders and members along with the general public will convene to learn about and discuss our interconnected water resources and our human connections to each other and to our lakes, streams, wetlands and groundwater.

A committee with representatives from Oneida, Vilas, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, and Iron counties is at work developing plans for the meeting. The program will include a five-member panel discussion on the connections among water resources and the people who use them, along with presentations on the impacts of climate change and drought on our water resources and fisheries, and the problem of PFAS in the environment.

There will also be exhibits from educational and nonprofit organizations and excellent opportunities for networking. The meeting will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon. All are welcome; there is no charge and no need to register. More details and a full agenda will be announced as the meeting date approaches, or contact Tom Ewing at president@vclra.org.

The event is jointly sponsored by Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (vclra.org) and Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Association (www.oclra.org).

Download press release

VCLRA’s 2024 winter newsletter available

VCLRA celebrates 30 years of protecting Vilas waters; wakesurfing legislation update; Vilas short-term rental ordinance; Lakes Toolbox workshops; Trees — how they benefit our lakes; Blue Heron Award and more!

VIEW

Wisconsin Green Fire social event announced

A social event will be held October 18th at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters from 5 to 7 pm. Dr. Mike Meyer, along with lake leaders from the area, will share highlights from the WGF Northern Lakes Toolbox workshops held in Vilas, Oneida and Iron counties.  Lake association members and leaders are all welcome.

This is one of WGF’s fall Conservation Socials events — engaging and casual gatherings to be held this fall across Wisconsin, bringing members and conservation enthusiasts together from all across the state.

See WGF’s full news release for further details.

2023 Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting Video

View the video of the 2023 Northwoods Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting, which featured a balance of learning and discussion of key issues affecting our natural waters.

The well-attended event for Northwoods counties was held on July 14, 2023 at Nicolet College in Rhinelander and is jointly sponsored by the Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Association (www.oclra.org) and the Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (www.vclra.org). In addition to expert briefings on timely topics and exhibits from educational, nonprofit, and government organizations, the event featured a moderated panel to discuss the law enforcement challenges stemming from enhanced wake boats and other watercrafts, short-term vacation rentals issues, zoning violations and other areas that impact the health and enjoyment of our Northwoods lakes and rivers.

Enjoy the video! Hope to see you next year.

Agenda

2023 VCLRA Summer Newsletter

Our latest newsletter is available online (print edition out soon). Read about:

  • Six-county workshop/annual meeting on July 14th featuring an expert panel on law-enforcement challenges affecting the health and enjoyment of our increasingly-crowded lakes and rivers;
  • Update on wake boat resolutions;
  • Free workshops on new toolbox to help protect and improve your lake
  • VCLRA scholarships awarded to two area high school seniors;
  • Spiny water fleas;
  • Permanent Shoreland Protection & Workshop on June 26th
  • Northwoods LIGHTS OUT! campaign;
  • and more!

View!

2023 6-county lakes & rivers workshop

This year’s 6-county lakes & rivers workshop will take place on July 14, 2023, 8:30 am-12:30 pm, at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. The annual event is co-sponsored by the Oneida and Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Associations. In addition to expert briefings on timely subject areas by distinguished presenters, we will have a moderated panel to discuss the law enforcement challenges stemming from enhanced wake boats and other watercrafts, short-term vacation rentals issues, zoning violations and other areas that impact the health and enjoyment of our Northwoods lakes and rivers.

Eric Olson, director of UW-Extension Lakes, will be opening and moderating our workshop and panel. It should be a great event involving a prominent group of speakers to kick off meaningful dialogue about issues our lake communities deeply care about in the Northwoods .

FINAL AGENDA

As in the past, VCLRA will hold its annual meeting following the conference. The event is free and no registration is required. See draft agenda for more details. Updates may follow as the agenda is finalized.

For more information, contact Tom Ewing (VCLRA) at president@vclra.org or Ted Rulseh (OCLRA) at trulseh@tjrcommunications.com, or use the contact form at vclra.org/contact/.