OCLRA eNews from November

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, January 12, at 9 a.m., at the ADRC building in Rhinelander, across the parking lot from Trig’s grocery. All are welcome. Also, follow us on Facebook at: https://oclra.us3.list-manage.com/track/click….

Northwoods Land Trust marks 100the conservation easement

The Northwoods Land Trust celebrated its 100^th conservation easement last July when Jan Kurtz made a donation to protect 22 acres and more than 1,200 feet of natural shoreline on Julia Lake in Forest County. Her aim was to preserve a property that has been in her family for 75 years. The land trust is dedicated to conserving land and natural resources to benefit present and future generations in seven northern Wisconsin counties.

“Conserved shorelands offer the highest level of protection to the long-term health and quality of our waters, and for the wildlife that depend on them,” says Bob Martini, land trust board president. Conservation easements allow landowners to preserve their land in cooperation with a qualified organization, such as a land trust, of which nearly 40 operate in Wisconsin. Visit here (https://oclra.us3.list-manage.com/track/click…) to find out more.

Organizations seek action to prevent AIS spread from ballasted boats

Wisconsin Lakes and the Last Wilderness Alliance are backing state legislation to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species by way of ballast systems in wakeboats. Studies confirm that ballast systems cannot be fully drained and that residual water can contain zebra mussel veligers and spiny water fleas. The proposed regulation would require recreational boats with ballast systems to be flushed with hot water (at least 120 degrees) before being launched into any Wisconsin lake. An annual flushing would also be required, and this would keep ballast tank antifreeze from being discharged into lakes after winter storage. Visit here (https://oclra.us3.list-manage.com/track/click…) for actions to support the initiative.

For information, contact Ben Wojahn, bwojahn@wisconsinlakes.org (mailto:bwojahn@wisconsinlakes.org) , or Jeff Meessemann, Last Wilderness Alliance, jmeessemann@aol.com (mailto:jmeessemann@aol.com) .

NALMS offers new edition of Your Lake and You! publication

** The North American Lake Management Society has released a new and improved online edition of its popular Your Lake & You! (https://oclra.us3.list-manage.com/track/click…) booklet. It helps homeowners understand steps they can take to protect the lakes they love. It’s filled with basic lake information, strategies for taking better care of lakes, and descriptions of resource publications. You can order print copies by visiting eprintinc.com (https://oclra.us3.list-manage.com/track/click…) .

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OCCWA issues monthly update

Visit Oneida County Clean Waters Action (https://oclra.us3.list-manage.com/track/click…) for updates on water issues of current interest, most notably PFAS in the Town of Stella, including PBS video coverage of a public meeting. Among other topics, is a County Conservation Committee meeting where proposed Shoreland Protection Ordinance language addressing shoreline clearcutting was discussed. The Committee agreed upon new language to be forwarded to the Planning and Development Committee for consideration. Other items cover:

* Health risks of consuming lead for humans and wildlife.

* A Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program success in Oneida County

* Public radio coverage on Trout Lake Station’s value and a funding issue

* A Clean Water Minute on “A Plant That Eats Meat”

Wisconsin Lakes Annual Meeting set for December 9

Wisconsin Lakes will hold its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, December 9, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The location and the link for remote attendance will be released soon. Save the date and watch https://oclra.us3.list-manage.com/track/click… for information. This will be the first annual meeting for new president Susan Trier and executive director Ben Wojahn.

Fred Clark steps back from work with Wisconsin’s Green Fire

After serving in many roles within Wisconsin’s Green Fire, Fred Clark (https://oclra.us3.list-manage.com/track/click…) is stepping away to focus on other work. He was WGF executive director from 2019-23 after being a founding board member. He was also project director for WGF’s Farm Sustainability Rewards Project from 2023-25 and played an important role in the organization’s Public Lands and Forestry Work Group.

Clark helped build WGF into a respected science-based organization with a reputation for data driven, objective information for all people in Wisconsin, from individual community members to elected leaders to use in crafting environmental and conservation policy positions. He held leadership positions in organizations including the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board, the American Forest Foundation, the Wisconsin Council on Forestry, and the Wisconsin Council on Tourism. He won the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation’s Legislator of the Year Award for his work on that state’s Managed Forest Law.

Winter Water Talk: Fishing On Frozen Habitats

December 18, 12:00-1:00 PM

Bundle up, grab your favorite hot drink, and join us for a broad overview into the world of ice fishing, offering insights that will enhance your time on the ice and foster a greater appreciation for ice-covered lakes. We will cover the basics of tackle, technique, technologies, where to find fish in the cold water, staying warm and safe on frozen water, connecting with the elements, aquatic invasive species, and stewardship efforts to protect our frozen habitats.

Register for this FREE online opportunity. (https://oclra.us3.list-manage.com/track/click…)

SPEAKERS

* Stephanie Boismenue is the Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator and Conservation Technician at Oneida County Land & Water Conservation (https://oclra.us3.list-manage.com/track/click…) in Rhinelander. She loves fishing any time of year, but notably ice fishing for the unique experience and magic of time spent on the serene, frozen landscape.

* John Heusinkveld is semi-retired, now a half-time Conservation Outreach Specialist at the Northwoods Land Trust (https://oclra.us3.list-manage.com/track/click…) in Eagle River, WI since May 2025. Formerly Executive Director of the North Lakeland Discovery Center, and Assistant Director at UWSP Treehaven Field Station.