Glen Lake Association Receives National Award
Recognized for Outreach and Education in Fish Habitat Conservation
From staff reports
The Glen Lake Association has received a 2011 National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) Award – one of four winners selected from organizations throughout the United States. The award honors associations for their extraordinary achievement in Fish Habitat Conservation.
This is the second recognition for the Glen Lake Association (GLA) in the past three years: the organization was given the “Michigan Inland Lake Steward of the Year Award” by the Michigan Lake and Stream Associations in 2008.
A grassroots organization for over 50 years with 800 individual and business members, the Glen Lake Association uses numerous outreach and educational campaigns to protect the Glen Lake watershed from aquatic invasive species, physical habitat degradation, and water quality impairment while promoting aesthetic and recreational enjoyment to riparians and the public.
“The Glen Lake Association has over 100 volunteers that work countless hours to protect and preserve the uniquely beautiful area we live in,” said current GLA president Andy DuPont who traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the award April 15 on behalf of the nonprofit association. “To have our efforts nationally recognized is very special. This award will help keep our volunteers and members motivated as we continue to reach out and educate those who have an impact on the quality of our lakes.”
GLA lake biologist Rob Karner said the Fish Habitat Action Plan Award is the result of several association initiatives that work cohesively to protect the watershed and its natural resources.
“There are seven GLA projects on which this national award was based,“ said Karner. “Each is an important part of resource conservation and protection. Without the commitment and oversight by the lake association, water quality and these other environmental initiatives would not exist.”
The programs include:
• Monitoring water quality: Hydrolab, Nutrient Loading, Sediment Sampling in Deep Basins for Toxins
• Biological Sampling: Plankton Analysis, Microcystis toxicity, Cladophora Surveys that pinpoint nutrient loading
• Greenbelt Survey: Lakescape Planning Services for Riparains
• Fish Habitat Improvement Initiatives: Lobby Against Private Dredging, Aquatic Conductivity Project Planning – Expanding spawning grounds between Little Glen to Mill Pond for warm water fish species
• GLA membership education: GLA newsletter, GLA website, workshops
• Invasive Species: Boat Wash Stations, Aquatic Plant Surveys,
• Networking: Partners with Michigan Lakes and Streams, Leelanau Clean Water, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and the Leelanau Conservancy.
For additional information on the work of the Glen Lake Association and ways to become involved, visit www.glenlakeassociation.com or call (231) 334-7645.
