Wisconsin Lakes E-Letter Oct. 20, 2016

Nominations for the 2017 Lake Stewardship Awards will be accepted through Feb. 3, 2017

The Wisconsin Lakes Partnership presents these awards each year at the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention in celebration of the extraordinary volunteer and professional efforts made to protect and improve lakes in Wisconsin. The Stewardship Awards represent our best collective effort to honor and celebrate all the incredible work that goes into securing a bright future for Wisconsin’s lakes.

2017’s winners will be awarded in Stevens Point on Thursday, April 6, as part of the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention, but for awards to be handed out, we must have nominees!

We’ll be accepting nominations in five categories through Feb 3, 2017, so start considering who you’d like to see recognized as Lake Stewardship Award winner.

Click here for info and nomination forms for the 2017 Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Awards.

DNR invites public comment to develop aquatic plant management strategic analysis

The Wisconsin DNR is asking for your help to develop as it conducts a strategic analysis of its aquatic plant management program.

Aquatic plants provide fish and wildlife habitat and improve water quality and clarity, sediment stability, nutrient uptake and a water body’s oxygen content. However, invasive species and other waterbody impairments can limit these beneficial functions and affect the use of a water body. DNR’s duties involve balancing the protection of aquatic plants and their benefits with management of invasive species.

To get involved with DNR’s project, the agency invites you to review the list of topics to be included in the aquatic plant management strategic analysis, and supply your comments or additions. The public comment period is open until November 16, 2016, and all the information you need to know to participate can be found here.

• Introducing a brand new wisconsinlakes.org: If you haven’t seen it already, head on over to the newly redesigned wisconsinlakes.org. With a modern design and great new look, it still is packed with all the information (and with lots more coming!) to which you’ve grown accustomed. For providing news and analysis on everything from water policy developments to news from our lake partners, it’s going to be an awesome tool. Check us out!
• It’s Your Water Wisconsin!: Join the many individuals and organizations that have signed onto our campaign to raise awareness of the importance of sound water policy for Wisconsin. If you believe in the value of our water and the need to protect it, head on over to itsyourwaterwisconsin.org and sign on to support the Declaration of Principles for Wisconsin’s Water.