Minnesota DNR 2025 AIS Grants Now Open
Heads up! The DNR AIS Grant program is now open and accepting applications until 4:30pmCT, Wednesday, December 18th.
Also, for all those managing AIS, please take a moment to review the MN COLA AIS Grant and DNR Permitting Checklist. NEVER assume that your permit or treatment dates will remain the same. In particular, the curly leaf pondweed treatment dates can vary from year to year. Use and distribute the checklist to “sharpen the saw” for the 2025 AIS treatment season.
Wish to broaden your knowledge of lake management strategies? Take a look at this treasure of educational opportunities for students of the lake, many of them free webinars.
Take a look at the offerings, put together by the Minnesota Coalition of Lake Associations.
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Wright County COLA 2024 Spring Meeting
Attendance was great and over 16 lakes were represented.
The feature presentation was a new initiative “Leave AIS at the Launch”. Wright SWCD will be the source for the DNR-approved signs, posts, and tools for any interested lake association or boat launch owner. The cost of the entire package is only $150 each.
Click here for the presentation link!
Other presentations at the meeting:
Wright Soil and Water 2024 Update on Water Projects
Minnesota Required Boater’s License
Wright County Hot Water Pressurized Decontamination
Lake Steward Program | Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
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Time to pay 2024 WCCOLA Dues! Still only $25/year
Wright County Coalition of Lake Associations appreciates your support! And it is time to pay 2024 dues! Click here for a membership form.
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Engaging with University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center
Wright County COLA has a close relationship with the University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center. In 2023, we had two projects with them:
Spiny Water Flea Hunt | Curt Forst, WCCOLA President, led the hunt on Cedar Lake and Howard Lake. Good news–none of the invasive species were found. Click here for more details about the hunt.
Zebra Mussel Safari | David Glass, Cedar Lake Conservation Club, worked with a research scientist over the summer. The goal is to understand the how and why of the shifts in zebra mussel density, abundance, and distribution within a lake.
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Starry Stonewort: A formidable foe
Starry stonewort is one of the newer aquatic invaders–particularly fearsome due to its aggressive nature and ability to mat and interfere with habitat and recreation. Here are a couple of great videos to provide more information:
Overview of Starry Stonewort from U of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center
4 Minute Video on How to Identify Starry Stonewort
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Wright County Coalition of Lake Associations Directory
Want to connect with other lakes in your area? A Wright County directory of lakes is available. Please email Kathy Jonsrud at kjonsrud@yahoo.com and a copy will be mailed to you.