Extension Lakes Newsletters

By Peter R. Jensen, Wisconsin Certified Emergency Manager and Former Chairperson of Eagle Spring Lake Management District

More and more lake organizations are stepping up their water-safety measures by adding Life Jacket Loaner Stations at boat launches across the country. These stations make it easy for anyone heading out on the water to borrow a life jacket and return it when they’re done. It’s a simple idea with a big impact—especially since the most common boating citation in Wisconsin is the failure to carry enough life jackets on board.

By Eric Olson, Extension Lakes

Tucked away in the northeast corner of Lincoln County is a special collection of smaller kettle lakes known as the Harrison Hills. Shaped by the glaciers thousands of years ago, the hilly landscape was not easily farmed and as a result much of it was forfeited to the county after the clearcut era. A recent conservation easement between the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross of Merrill and North Central Conservancy Trust complements the thousands of acres of Lincoln County forestland that protects over a dozen lakes in the Harrison Hills. Read about a powerful example of how thoughtful planning today can help keep our inland lakes and surrounding lands protected for future generations.

Healthy Lakes & Rivers Waterbody Spotlight

By Tracy Arnold, County Conservationist, Portage County

Lake Helen Protection and Rehabilitation District is a standout in Portage County when it comes to community involvement. Powered by dedicated lakeshore property owners, this group has updated management plans, collected water quality data, and installed many Healthy Lakes & Rivers practices.

“The Healthy Lakes & Rivers grant program made it easy for us to take meaningful action to protect Lake Helen.” ~Rebecca and Dylan Abler

2026 Series

By Dr. Becca Franzen, Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

If you care about Wisconsin’s lakes, you’re probably hoping others will feel that same connection. But how do you spark that interest? How do you get people inspired, engaged, and ready to take action for our waters?

That’s where environmental education comes in. It’s all about helping people build a deeper understanding of the environment—what’s happening, why it matters, and how their choices make a difference.

Our Native Mussels

By Lisie Kitchel and Jesse Weinzinger, Wisconsin DNR

One of the unsung heroes in the lakes, rivers, and streams of Wisconsin are our native mussels (often referred to as clams). Living on the bottom, these creatures are often overlooked but contribute significantly to the health of our waters. Each mussel can filter gallons of water a day, removing suspended sediment and contaminants from the water column; they are nature’s power houses. Read more about how these underappreciated native mussels help keep our waters pristine.

Create a Membership Survey

By Sara Windjue, Extension Lakes

In each issue of Lake Tides, we share ideas and resources to help your organization build its capacity to care for Wisconsin’s lakes. This time, we’re circling back to membership capacity—essentially, the value your organization brings to its current and possible future supporters. One tool that can strengthen that connection is a membership survey. A membership survey gives you the feedback your need with these eight steps.

Whitefish Lake Community Steps Up To Address AIS

By Eric Olson, Extension Lakes

Lake residents didn’t panic when EWM was found in Whitefish Lake, instead they rallied. Read about their AIS efforts and how they have kept strong community connections.

Thanks for Speaking Up!

By Shannon Kearney, Student Outreach Intern, Extension Lakes, UW-Stevens Point

About every 10 years, Extension Lakes checks in with Lake Tides readers to better understand who you are, how you engage with the newsletter, and what matters most when it comes to Wisconsin’s lakes. This year, we used a multi-pronged approach. We mailed 1,000 postcards to randomly selected readers, shared the survey on social media, and included it in the most recent issue of Lake Tides. Together, these efforts helped us hear from voices across the state. Read about our results and learn about what’s new.