Our projects

PROJECTS: Lake Management Plan, Osprey Project, Big Green Lake BMPs, Analyzing Phosphorus Trends (2011), Clean Boats, Clean Waters, Green Lake Conservancy Partnership, Joint Advisory Committee on Land Use Matters (JACLUM), Revitalization of Shoreland Vegetation Project, Green Lake Buoys, Green Lake Fish Rearing Facility, AQWEED

Lake Management Plan for Big Green Lake
In early Spring of 2011, the Green Lake Association approached our local and state lake partners about the possibility of working together to develop a lake management plan for Big Green Lake. The final plan, once adopted, will help guide strategic, future management efforts for all of the local and state organizations, including the GLA, that are working to conserve, protect, and or preserve Big Green Lake. Learn more about the lake management plan for Big Green Lake.

Osprey Project
In spring 2011, two of Green Lake’s bird experts, Tom Schultz and Dr. Eric Ratering, observed osprey in the city of Green Lake and near the east end of the lake. Soon after, a pair of osprey were found nesting on top of a light pole at the Green Lake baseball diamond. Conditions were not ideal for this nesting pair and they quickly abandoned their nesting efforts. Through the efforts of community leaders and volunteers, Alliant Energy and contributions from the GLA's Steve Wood Memorial Fund, the construction and installation of three osprey nests will be completed in 2011. Learn more about osprey and the project.

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Mapping Big Green Lake's BMPs
Grassed waterways, diversions, and spillways are all examples of best management practices (BMPs) that can help limit the amount of sediment and nutrients (phosphorus) entering Big Green Lake. The GLA worked with interns Brenden Griffin and Tracy Waldinger in 2011 to map these BMP's as an educational tool for watershed education. Continue reading about Green Lake's BMPs.

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Analyzing Phosphorus Trends in Big Green Lake (2011)
Water quality has been officially monitored and regulated since the implementation of the Clean Water Act of 1972. One major parameter used to determine water quality is phosphorus concentration. Phosphorus is a nutrient required by organisms to survive. However, too much phosphorus can cause organisms within the lake to become over active, which can decrease the quality of the water. Pollution from sources, such as wastewater, agricultural runoff, and residential fertilizers, can increase levels of phosphorus (and other nutrients) within the lake. Learn more about phosphorus trends.

Clean Boats, Clean Waters ProgramThe CBCW program is a state wide boater education program designed to promote water resource stewardship by actively preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. On summer weekends, our staff visit various boat launches on Big Green Lake, work with boaters to help identify potential invasive species that are hitched to their boats and trailers, distribute informational brochures, inform boaters of AIS laws, collect important data, and report any new water body infestations.

• Learn what you can do to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

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Green Lake Conservancy Partnership The Green Lake Conservancy Partnership includes the Green Lake Association (GLA), the Green Lake Conservancy (GLC), the Green Lake Sanitary District (GLSD) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR).  While each of these organizations is a separate entity with different missions and objectives, they often work together to accomplish shared goals. Some examples of GLA's role within the partnership include:

• Assist in recruiting and managing volunteers to help remove invasives and trash from Conservancy Lands
• Construction of Hammer's Trail
• Financial support towards the construction of the Norwegian Bay boardwalk and Mitchell Glen
• Other financial and cooperative efforts.

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Joint Advisory Committee on Land Use Matters (JACLUM)JACLUM works with town boards to interpret and understand current ordinances and how they apply to development projects. JACLUM also works with developers to protect Green Lake from storm water runoff, to make provision for green space, and to assure to the extent possible that development is consistent with the characteristics of the surrounding environment. Learn More about JACLUM.

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Revitalization of Shoreland Vegetation Project (RSVP)The RSVP is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of native trees, shrubs,grasses, or wetland plants. RSVP encourages the regeneration of shoreland vegetation through educational efforts targeted at property owners and businesses that provide property management services to property owners. Learn More about RSVP.

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Green Lake BuoysThe GLA helps fund the purchase and maintenance of buoys on Big Green Lake.  These buoys, place by the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Department, mark navigation lanes and areas dangerous for boating.

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Green Lake Fish Rearing FacilityIn 2006, the Green Lake Sanitary District purchased the Green Lake fish rearing facility. The GLA annually donates funds to support the management of the facility. This partnership ensures that fish will remain available for stocking Big Green Lake, thus protecting sport fishing on the lake. Learn more about the Green Lake Fish Rearing Facility.

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AQWEEDThis aquatic harvesting program cuts and removes nuisance aquatic plants from Big Green Lake. Such harvesting is done in accordance with a permit from the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources. Managed and sponsored primarily by the Green Lake Sanitary District, The Green Lake Association and the City of Green Lake donates funds to support this project. Learn more about AQWEED.

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