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.
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.
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
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 .
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.
If you own lake or river shoreland property and would like to learn about best practices and programs to protect water quality and habitat, as well as permanent conservation options through our partner, Northwoods Land Trust, please join us on Monday, June 26 at 10 am at the Northwoods Center in Eagle River. A light lunch and beverages will be served.
Read more about Permanent Shoreland Protection here.
Topics / presentation / discussion include:
Maintaining water quality through shoreland best practices and restoration options (vegetation management and erosion control).Mariquita Sheehan, Conservation Specialist, Vilas County Land & Water Conservation Department.
Programs and resources for new shoreland property owners and lake associations.Tom Ewing, President, Vilas County Lakes & Rivers Association.
Permanent shoreland and upland conservation options for private landowners including the basics of conservation easements.Kari Kirschbaum, Land Protection Director, Northwoods Land Trust
Pre-registration is requested. This event is free.
Looking for another way to enjoy the wonders of the Northwoods? Exploring the night skies, watching fireflies and stargazing are but a few ways to appreciate the darkness. Oneida and Vilas County Land & Water Conservation Departments are promoting two summer weekends to enjoy the night. We encourage you to turn off your lights for a few hours, go outside, and look up and around you! Listening in the darkness can also lead to exciting discoveries! Make this an event for your lake group or educational organization; help us spread the word through your organization communications and newsletters!
Two summer weekends to enjoy the night!
June 17-18 Firefly Watch!
August 12-13 Milky Way & Perseid Meteor Watch!
We hope that by setting dates, residents, and visitors alike, will coordinate for a broader appreciation of nighttime wonders. Please check out the Oneida Land & Water Conservation website (https://www.oclw.org/special-projects.html) or call 715-369-7835 for more information. And if you or your group plan a Lights Out Event – let us know!!
Unnecessary lighting with improper placement and design interferes with visibility and robs us all of quality night skies. Other impacts from light pollution include human health affects/sleep disruption, confusion for migratory birds and other wildlife, and wasting energy. You can help by only using lighting you really need, choosing energy-efficient bulbs, and directing lights downward. By working together, we can protect the night for everyone to enjoy!
If your town is considering a hazardous wake ordinance, you may want to attend this workshop at the Boulder Junction Community Center on March 8, 2023. The purpose of this workshop is to offer guidance to town supervisors, town lakes committees, lake district commissioners, and lake association board members who feel there may be a need to regulate hazardous wakes within their township or municipality through local ordinances.
This workshop is limited to the first 100 attendees and rsvp’s are required.
Our Winter 2022-2023 newsletter is available online (members who get print copies will get these by mail in a few weeks). Read about Hazardous Wake Issues, Blue Heron Stewardship awards, AIS prevention and much more…
Join other local lake organizations, professionals, and volunteers next week on Friday Oct 28 from 9:30-Noon at the Boulder Junction Community Center for the annual Vilas County Lake Conservation Partners Meeting. Each year Vilas County Land & Water facilitates this networking and planning meeting centered around lake conservation work. Hear what neighboring groups are working on, check progress with the Invasive Species Strategic Plan, and voice priorities your group might have for local lake conservation.
