Learning To Love A Lake
– by Kurt Lothe, Camp Manitou Activity Director

Each summer for the last 83 years kids have traveled north to spend a week on the shores of Lower Long Lake in northern Chippewa County at the Eau Claire YMCA's Camp Manitou. One of the biggest draws is the amazing lake and all it offers—swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, etc. For the last few years, Dr. Lou Frase has been sampling water quality as a citizen monitor. It made sense to bring "Grandpa Lou" into our program to offer campers an insight into what makes a healthy and beautiful lake.

Grandpa Lou mixes summer fun and learning by taking campers onto the lake and discussing topics more closely associated with a science classroom. It doesn't take long to convince these kids of the need to protect our lakes. Many live or have played on lakes suffering from poor water quality and algal blooms as a result of runoff, pollution, or over-development. These kids are especially quick to grasp the importance of the issue.

It isn't long before everyone is throwing around words like "phosphorous" and "secchi disk". Grandpa Lou gives a brief history of the lake, and then proceeds to demonstrate the various tests he conducts, including dipping the secchi disk to measure water quality, checking the temperature at various water depths, and retrieving samples to filter so that accurate algae growth can be determined. We all learn that more phosphorous in the water means more algal growth, and more algae mean less sunlight reaching aquatic plants, less habitat for fish, and a diminished ecosystem that impacts us all. We also learn that the major contributors of phosphorous come from detergents and fertilizers, but more dramatically, from soil eroded into the lake resulting from disturbed shorelines.

It seems like pretty heady stuff for a summer camp curriculum, but the importance of taking care of those things that sustain us is a concept that most children grasp intuitively. We at Camp Manitou believe that what we sow in kids today, we will reap ten-fold when they mature and begin changing the world. With Grandpa Lou's help, we hope to grow fields of lake-lovin' kids who will in turn pass on the importance of conserving our natural heritage.

The convention is hosted each year by the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership, a nationally recognized and successful collaboration of the Wisconsin Association of Lakes (WAL) UW-Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Governor Jim Doyle and Representative Scott Gunderson were among a number of legislators that addressed the gathering on issues facing Wisconsin lakes.  Secretary of the DNR Scott Hassett, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, and Attorney General Peg Lautenschalger were among a number of dignitaries, citizen advocates and experts who discussed the importance of natural resource protection and other issues that impact Wisconsin waters.

More than 50 educational seminar topics were provided, led by Wisconsin water experts, including topics on aquatic invasive species, economics, water law, fisheries management, aquatic plant management, land use, volunteer monitoring and more.

A legal update by WAL Attorney Bill O’Connor was enlightening.  The “buzz” about legislative changes to Wisconsin pier laws is about balancing waterfront owners’ rights to place a pier and enjoy their shoreline, with protecting the habitat and natural scenic beauty of our public waterways.

In addition to the seminars, lake-friendly businesses and partner organizations offered purchasing opportunities and displays about lake management services and water interests.  Convention co-host Wisconsin Association of Lakes presented the Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Awards.  According to Peter Murray, Director of WAL, “These awards are the highest honor anyone can receive for lake protection in Wisconsin.”  The awards were presented to individuals, groups, and youth organizations that have made a significant impact in lake protection.

The Public Service category award was presented to Patrick (Buzz) Sorge who is DNR Lake Specialist in our area. The following describes his leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm for helping people understand their lakes.

Quote from the award presentation:

Buzz Sorge has been a tireless proponent of sound lake management practices for his entire career at the Department of Natural Resources.  He has been instrumental in the success of many local lake projects and has helped develop innovative statewide initiatives such as the Lake Leaders Institute, which prepares future leaders to preserve and protect Wisconsin’s waters.

Buzz believes that when people take ownership over the management of their lake there is a greater likelihood for positive outcomes and ongoing resource stewardship.  His leadership has guided, expanded, and shaped Wisconsin lake management efforts, paying back huge dividends to the people of Wisconsin.  Buzz sincerely cares about our water resources and the people that use them, and it shows in all that he does.

The Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference added a pontoon classroom event Thursday, June 23, 2005 on Lake Namekagon.

The day started at 9:00 AM with an orientation and coffee at Lakewoods Main Lodge.  Buzz Sorge introduced the boat drivers, and the participants boarded one of the three pontoons.  The three morning sessions focused on fisheries, impacts of shoreland development, and aquatic plants.  DNR specialists explained and demonstrated, and the boat drivers moved to specific places on the lake as needed by the presenters.  The local boat drivers also added local information.

After lunch at the Lakewoods Lodge, Jane Anklam of West Wisconsin Land Trust (WWLT) told how WWLT is preserving natural shoreland habitat.  Then the afternoon sessions on pontoon boats included a look at shoreland habitat, and inlake habitat, followed by limnology demonstrations.

The Morris-Erickson County Park project began Spring 2002 as a cooperative effort, including several departments and organizations working with the Lower Long Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District (LLLPRD).  It continued in 2003 as a DNR Lake Planning Grant project, sponsored by LLLPRD.

Goals and objectives were related to education.  Students, people using the park, district property owners, and the public were to learn more about native plants and native shoreland landscaping that would:

Promoting good stewardship through education was an objective for all, and thus, five related programs were presented at the nearby Ice Age Center, free and open to the public.

The project involved students from DeWayne Fossum’s conservation class, Bloomer High School, who worked on the Morris-Erickson Park project, May 2003.  Plants and signage were added to the demo site.  In September, another group of students from DeWayne Fossum’s conservation class were involved in pontoon classroom activities with DNR plant specialist Deb Konkel.  The students were prepared for the activities by their teacher.

A similar pontoon classroom event for lake district property owners was held after the annual picnic on June 21, 2003.  DNR Buzz Sorge reinforced the importance of the water’s edge and the need to protect water quality.

Promoting good stewardship through education was an objective for all; thus, five related programs were presented at the nearby Ice Age Center, the programs free and open to the public.

Two wildlife photography programs at the Ice Age Center emphasized the importance of native habitat for wildlife.  Paul Blanchard’s program in November 2002 featured wood warblers.  Carolyn Chatterton’s program in March 2003 featured a variety of wildlife photographed primarily on her property in the Weyerhauser area.  She reinforced the need for habitat, especially in shoreland areas.

Programs continued at the Ice Age Center in October 2003.  Joyce Powers, founder and President of CRM Ecosystems and Prairie Ridge Nursery presented a lecture and slide show on the benefits and techniques of rain gardens.  She showed examples of landscaping with native plants in a variety of settings.  She emphasized the importance of managing run-off from roofs, driveways, and other impervious surfaces, thus preventing polluted water from entering lakes and rivers.

Jill Jacoby, a professor at Northland College, Ashland, WI, continued to discuss water quality, concerns about storm water contaminating lakes and rivers.  She told the story of artists, scientists, and citizens who came together to create art pertaining to water quality concerns.  She also reinforced the concept of rain gardens.

Robert Korth, UW Extension Lakes Specialist, was the final presenter on November 8, 2003, as he discussed the unique benefits of Wisconsin Lakes, the human influence on Wisconsin shores, and why the water’s edge is so important.  He concluded with the challenges in protecting Wisconsin lakes.

The park project and related activities were disseminated through schools, business places, local newspapers, district newsletters, WAL newsletters, LLLPRD website, letters, postcards, email, and telephone.

Staff at the Ice Age Center, DNR Brenda Reider, Rod Gant, and the volunteer staff, were especially helpful with the programs, providing the comfortable and beautiful facility.  They also helped to publicize the events.  It was a convenient place, attracting lake users, active and passive, varied audiences.

There is interest by DeWayne Fossum in having students continue their involvement with the lake district.  A rain garden demo site and a fish crib building project are two possibilities.

Korth traced the development trend, the increase in shoreland building, and the effect on water quality, shoreland plants, green frogs, and birds.

Shore landowners have a great responsibility and opportunity to protect state waters—to carry on our legacy of lakes.  Korth urged the audience to “get involved” by attending the public listening sessions for Shoreland Management Program Revision, NR 115 and to send completed comment forms to the DNR by December 31, 2003.  The forms are available at: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us.  For more information go to http://www.wisconsinlakes.org.

Robert Korth will present the unique benefits of Wisconsin Lakes, the human influence on Wisconsin shores, the challenges that we are learning to accept, challenges associated with 'life near lakes'. This program is an opportunity to learn more about the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership, why the water's edge is so important to us, shoreland development trends, key concepts of lake development, and what we can do about the challenges and changes.

Jill Jacoby, Executive Director of Sweetwater Alliance, told the story of a proposed living water garden on Duluth’s waterfront.  The story is one of citizens, scientists, and artists coming together to create a beautiful area that also functions to improve water quality.  And water quality is the educational focus.

Jacoby’s story, especially her demonstration project, had special meaning for local folks interested in water gardens and rain gardens.  She used native plants--aquatic, wetland, and upland plants.  Some of the aquatic plants "were hitchhiking aquatic insects and tadpoles of several frog species".  After a breeding season her pond was full of insect life.  And her slides included frog tadpoles.

Jacoby’s water garden provides food and habitat for monarch butterflies that are in peril because of habitat destruction.  Birds are attracted to the sights and sounds of water.  And several species of dragonflies hunt for insects.

Jacoby was speaking to an important domestic and international issue: water quality.  And the Sweetwater Alliance message is: Communities restoring water through art and science.

Jill Jacoby, Visiting Assistant Professor at Northland College, Ashland, WI, will tell the story of artists and scientists who come together to create art pertaining to water quality concerns.  Jacoby builds coalitions to protect and enhance water resources, creating projects that restore, preserve, and remediate in visible ways.  Her slides will appeal to your sense of beauty, featuring native plants in a variety of designs.  This is a program that will appeal to frog lovers, gardeners, and anyone who enjoys the land and water.

Joyce Powers, president and founder of CRM ecosystems and Prairie Ridge Nursery in Mt. Horeb, WI, presented a program on rain gardens at the Ice Age Center on Saturday, October 4.  Having a professional background and experience, she provided the audience with information, and she addressed a variety of questions and concerns from the audience.

Powers emphasized the need to prevent pollution of lakes and rivers by managing storm water run-off.  She explained that a rain garden is designed to act as a sponge, soaking up rain water directed to the garden site.  She discussed site selection, construction, and maintenance of rain gardens.  Powers had copies of a new UW Extension publication on rain gardens, available for $2.00.

Let a rain garden soak up the run-off from your roof, driveway and lawn with the use of wildflowers and other native vegetation to allow about 30 percent more water to soak into the ground.

Joyce Powers presents informative and inspiring programs based on thirty years experience using native plants in landscapes.  Her experiences also include teaching for National Wildlife Federation, the University of Wisconsin Extension Service, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Morton Arboretum, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, and other organizations.

Powers will show slides featuring landscaping with native plants — rain gardens, shorelands, and other rural and urban examples.  She will also provide handouts that will be helpful in planning a rain garden.  This presentation begins at 2 PM at the Ice Age Center, lasts 1-2 hours (depending on attendee questions), and is free and open to the public.  It is being sponsored by the Lower Long Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District (LLLPRD) and funded through a DNR lake planning grant.

To accomplish this winter task, a full compliment of trained and experienced staff must be on hand.  Working as an efficient team, the sawers, the bobbers, the skidders, the lifters, the packers and the dusters accomplished the awesome task in just under 2 hours.

The weather and the ice conditions (12-14 inches with no snow cover) were both perfect for the event.  Approximately 35 in total gathered for the event.  Many assisted in the needed encouragement necessary to keep the workers and relievers diligent in their efforts.