Stewardship and Resource

The committee aims to educate, encourage, and assist Association members in becoming environmental stewards of their lake property. There are three sub-committees:

Water Quality- to maintain and improve the water quality in front of their property and the Chain as a whole, including its watershed.
Native Species- to maintain and increase the native species on their property and the Chain as a whole.
Invasive Species- to remove and discourage invasive species on their property and Chain as a whole.

Committee members work with the DNR and the academic specialists from, UW Madison, UW Oshkosh and Stevens Point. They regularly attend various meetings, including meetings held by the Lake District and the Land and Water Conservation Committee of Waupaca County, Wisconsin Lakes, and the Central Sands Water Action Coalition.

Committee Chair(s): Julie Mazzoleni, Fawn Johnson

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Current Association Projects
ADOPT-A-SIGN

Snug Harbor

Throughout the summer of 2024, 13 volunteers planted native plant gardens around 10 WCOLA road signs. By participating in the planting and maintenance of these gardens, volunteers not only beautify their neighborhoods but also foster a sense of pride and stewardship for this small area. Simultaneously, it's a chance to play a vital role in creating critical habitats and providing essential nutrition for native bees, birds, and butterflies.

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Healthy Lakes

Stewardship Committee Promotes the
Healthy Lakes Grant program
around the Chain O'Lakes

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HEALTHY LAKES GRANTS 2023/2024 recipients:

5 Chain members have been granted the 2023/2024 HEALTHY LAKES grants. These grants pay 75% of total expense up to $1000.00 payout. Here’s what was added to the Chain:
- 2 Rain Gardens – helping to absorb water run-off , filtering it before it goes into our lakes keeping lakes clean of pollution.
- 1 diversion – diverting water run-off from a new driveway so rainwater and snowmelt doesn’t run directly into the lake, but is diverted to an area where it can be safely absorbed into the ground.
- 8 – 350sqft native garden plantings - 4 homeowners were granted 2, 350sqft (each) to add native plantings (includes native flowers, shrubs and trees) along their lakeshore property. These plantings restore natural beauty to the area and slow water runoff. (8, 350sqft is the size of 7, average size 2 car garages)

These changes to our land and lakeshore will play key roles in improving our lakes water quality. They provide erosion control and reduce overall maintenance. And lets not forget, they provide food and habitat for a diverse group of pollinators, birds and other land and aquatic species.

PLEASE LOOK FOR THESE NATIVE GARDENS AROUND OUR LAKESHORES. You’ll see them on Columbia lake, Dake Lake, Sunset lake, Youngs Lake and Miner Lake !

If you want to apply for a GRANT, PLEASE reach out, we’ll be happy to help.