OCLRA eNews – May 2025
Please share this information and the OCLRA website (www.oclra.org)
with the members of your lake association, district and/or friends
group and with your personal networks.
The next OCLRA Board meeting is Monday, June 9, at 9 a.m., at the ADRC
building in Rhinelander, across the parking lot from Trig’s grocery. All are
welcome.
Dan Butkus resigns as Wisconsin Lakes president
Wisconsin Lakes seeks new executive director
Discovery Center sets Really Big Event Annual Fundraiser
River Alliance supports Green Amendment to Constitution
Large crowds attend legislators’ listening sessions
Wakeboat coalition approaches 80 member organizations
Wisconsin Headwaters Invasives Partnership offers free workshop
Northwoods Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting July 11
Vilas County and VCLRA offer brochure for shoreland owners
Midwest Beaver Summit set for June 5
Dates set for 2026 Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention
Dave Greschner writes about the outdoors with soul
Dan Butkus resigns as Wisconsin Lakes president
Dan Butkus has resigned from the Wisconsin Lakes presidency and the
board of directors due to a serious medical condition that made it difficult
for him to serve effectively. Dan, president since 2023, served on the board
of commissioners of the Squash Lake District, advised numerous lake
districts on multiple matters, is a Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute
graduate, and served as a policy watchdog in Oneida County and around
the state. “Losing Dan as leader leaves a massive hole in Wisconsin Lakes
that will be hard to fill,” said Michael Engleson, executive director. “That
said, all of us at Wisconsin Lakes wish Dan a swift and successful recovery
and hold him and his family in all of our thoughts.” Vice president Derek
Kavanaugh will fill in for Dan until the board elects a new President.
Wisconsin Lakes seeks new executive director
Wisconsin Lakes is seeking an executive director to succeed Mike
Engleson, who has resigned effective in fall. The executive director
oversees all aspects of operations and is responsible for balancing
organizational management, administrative work, project management,
fundraising, budget management, and public relations. Duties also include
grant writing and ensuring that grant agreements and contracts are
implemented successfully and within budget. For a full job description, visit
https://wisconsinlakes.org/.
Discovery Center sets Really Big Event Annual Fundraiser
The North Lakeland Discovery Center's Really Big Event Annual
Fundraiser is set for Saturday, June 7. It includes entertainers, table
games, the 2nd Annual Wacky Wildlife Race, a delicious BBQ meal catered
by Lazy Ace Saloon, fresh-baked treats by Boulder Junction Coffee
Company, and silent and live auctions. All proceeds support the Discovery
Center's environmental education and conservation programs. The event
begins at 4:30 p.m. in the lodge and on the center grounds. Registration by
May 23 is preferred. Visit https://www.discoverycenter.net/.
River Alliance supports Green Amendment to Constitution
The River Alliance of Wisconsin is backing a Green Amendment to the
state constitution that would formalize peoples’ rights to a clean, safe, and
healthy environment. The amendment has been introduced by state
Representative Darrin Madison, Senator Mark Spreitzer, and Senator Jodi
Habush Sinykin. The amendment states that people have the right to “clean
water, clean air, healthy soils, self-sustaining ecosystems, and a safe and
stable climate, and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, and healthful
qualities of the environment.” To find out more, visit
https://wisconsinrivers.org/.
Wakeboat coalition approaches 80 member organizations
Lakes at Stake Wisconsin reports that the Wakeboat Reform Coalition is
now up to 79 highly diverse organizations, representing more 100,000
citizens seeking common sense minimum state standards for artificially
enhanced wakesports. Local ordinances continue to spread; they have
been adopted recently in the Town of Ottawa in Waukesha County, the
Town of Palmyra in Walworth County, the City of Oshkosh on the Fox
River, the Towns of Freedom in Forest County, and the Town of Fern in
Florence County. In the Walworth County Town of East Troy, residents
voted overwhelmingly on an advisory referendum in favor of a wake
ordinance to protect Lake Beulah. For help in creating local ordinances
against enhanced wakes, contact the Last Wilderness Alliance.
Large crowds attend legislators’ listening sessions
An estimated 300 people attended listening sessions held earlier this
month by Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Rob Swearingen. While
attendees raised a variety of issues facing Wisconsin and the North, the
majority of attendees were concerned about the impacts of enhanced boat
wakes on lake properties and ecosystems. During the meeting Felzkowski
noted that she has set a meeting for Wednesday, May 28, in Madison
where parties on both sides of the wakes issue will discuss possible
compromise wakeboat regulations. Among those in attendance will be
legislators and lobbyists for the boating industry and Lakes at Stake
Wisconsin. At present, no legislation on enhanced wakes has been
introduced. During the Rhinelander listening session, Felzkowski stated
that any such legislation would need to include a provision allowing for local
governments to establish their own enhanced wake restrictions.
Wisconsin Headwaters Invasives Partnership offers free workshop
The Wisconsin Headwaters Invasives Partnership will hold a free public
workshop on Wednesday, May 28, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bradley
Town Hall, 1518 West Mohawk Drive, Tomahawk. WHIP offers invasive
species education and control in Oneida, Vilas, and Lincoln Counties.
Attendees will learn about invasive plants in the area and how to identify
them. A light lunch will follow the workshop. For more information, call 313-
590-4419 or visit https://whipinvasives.org/.
Northwoods Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting July 11
“Quakes to Our Lakes: What’s Shakin’?” is the theme for the annual
Northwoods Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting to be held at Nicolet
College in Rhinelander on Friday July 11. Pre-registration is not required
but is encouraged. There is no charge for attendance.
Vilas County and VCLRA offer brochure for shoreland owners
Vilas County Land and Water and the Vilas County Lakes and Rivers
Association have released a new brochure for shoreline property owners
who are just learning the regulations and best practices of lake living. It’s
available for sharing with new lakeshore owners or for posting on lake
organization websites.
Midwest Beaver Summit set for June 5
The Midwest Beaver Summit will be held on Thursday, June 5, from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held virtually as well is in person at Oakton
College in Skokie, Illinois. Topics include beavers and climate resilience,
beaver management for local entities, and traditional ecological knowledge
around beavers—an Anishinaabe Perspective. For more information visit:
https://www.illinoisbeaveralliance.org/2025-midwest-beaver-summit.
Dates set for 2026 Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention
Next year’s Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convection will be held at the
Stevens Point Holiday Inn April 15-17. Archives of the 2025 presentations
are available online. To get access:
Go to the website link.
Choose the COLLECTION (Convention) and YEAR (2025) and/or
choose a CATEGORY, or type in keywords in the TEXT SEARCH box.
Click on the card or tile and the PDF or video will open in a new tab.
Dave Greschner writes about the outdoors with soul
Many people write about the outdoors. Some can make us feel like we’re
actually out on the lake or in the woods. Far fewer help us appreciate the
why of going outside— what makes it so essential. Dave Greschner is that
kind of writer. Greschner retired sports and outdoors editor for the Rice
Lake Chronotype, now writes the online “Dave Greschner Outdoor
Journal.” His first book is Soul of the Outdoors (Cornerstone Press). In
most of these short reflections and journal entries he simply chronicles
what he observes, with all his senses and his mind’s eye. The best entries
go deeper. He finds gratitude for gifts in September. Solace on a hilltop
overlooking a lake. Wonder at boyhood memories of puffy clouds floating
by. This is a great book to keep on the night stand.