The Wallooner | Summer 2022 Does this sound overly dramatic? I assure you it is not. One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is why does conserving land around Walloon Lake matter? I would hope that this imagery makes the answer a little more obvious. The watershed – the land around the lake – is incredibly critical to water quality. Every drop of rain, every time you wash your car, every time someone fertilizes their lawn, builds a home, or plows a field – each time land is altered in the watershed, the water quality of the lake is impacted. Particularly for a relatively small inland lake that is naturally spring-fed like Walloon Lake. Cumulative impacts, big and small, chip away at this incredibly valuable and finite resource we all love. The land protection activities of the WLAC are our best offense to protect the lake. Securing properties in our land trust directly or through conservation easements are promises made in perpetuity that the forests surrounding the lake will be there to protect our water quality for generations to come. And while we have many active land projects as a result of the aforementioned gener-
3 ational shift and sizzling real estate market, later in this newsletter we will share a bit more about our Critical Lands Campaign and hopefully gain your support! We are leveling up our defensive positions on the waterfront too, with a new campaign and recommendations for safe wakesurfing on Walloon Lake. Among the many multi-year initiatives we have taken on, you will see some of the following bear fruit this year: • New boat wash stations and signage at Sumner Road and Jones Landing – boat washes help to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. • A legislative call to action to implement more severe consequences to landscapers who operate without permits and install damaging shoreline alterations. • Relaunch of the Lake Ambassador Program – let’s bring back the small neighborhood feel and work to educate and support each other to do the best for the lake! • Endorsement of the 425’ active wake boat distance from the shoreline and 15’
depth – this helps protect our shorelines and keep one another safe. • Helping to build marine patrol capacity with our local Sheriffs’ departments. • Continuation of the Sound Down Campaign. • New safety buoys with improved lighting and signage. • Water quality testing and treatment in Schoof’s and Fineout Creek. • Continued work on a lake-wide sound ordinance. • The second year of our native plant sale and ongoing shoreline education. WLAC’s 3 pillars are land, water and people. Land conservation, water quality protection and bringing people together – three interconnected facets of our work that give us the best chance to deliver on the promise of a pristine Walloon, forever. My Best,
Michael Hatch
WLAC BOARD PRESIDENT
Now onto the events!
CHECK OUT OUR 2022 CALENDAR
Thursday, June 30th
Thursday, July 28th
10am - 12pm Voran Family Preserve
1pm - 4pm Postle Farm Preserve
Junior Member Butterfly Garden Planting
Friday, July 8th
Wander Walloon: Mill Pond Paddle
Dog Day of Summer
Thursday, August 4th
WLAC Annual Meeting
Saturday, August 6th
Walloon Woodies
10:30am - 12pm | Barrel Back Docks Thursday, August 25th
Discover Daggett Wine Walk
6pm - 8pm | Camp Daggett
4pm - 6pm The Talcott
Thursday, September 22nd
Friday, July 15th
Friday, August 5th
10am - 2pm Village Green Park & Docks
3pm - 5pm Wildwood Harbor Preserve
10am - 12pm Jones Landing
9am - 11am Stolt Road Boat Launch
Boater Safety Event
Invasive Species Paddle Workshop
Wander Walloon: Mushroom Hike
Friday, October 21st
Spooky Hike
5pm - 7pm | Postle Farm Preserve
