The Lake Ecology Field Day which is sponsored annually by the Forest County Association of Lakes (FCAL) was a good educational experience for high school students from Crandon, Laona and Wabeno Environmental Science classes.  Lake Ecology Day took place on Tuesday, September 17^th from 9AM until 1:30PM at the Veterans Memorial Park on the south end of Lake Metonga. 

Crandon HS, under the guidance of Mrs. Kay Coates, had 42 students signed up to attend.  Laona sent 15 students under the supervision of Mr. Steve Kircher, and Wabeno sent 11 students under the direction of Mrs. Liz Watson.  The students were assigned to eight groups with students from all three schools in each of the groups.  The eight groups rotated through 9 workshops through out the morning.  4 lucky students per rotation received tickets which had been issued at random, to ride on the shocking boat that was provided by the Sokaogon tribe and was captained by Fish Biologist Mike Pruell.

The other eight learning stations included a pontoon boat ride to an Eurasian Water Milfoil bed where the students learned about the various invasives such as milfoil, zebra mussels and rusty crayfish as explained by Les Schramm and Harry Resch.  Station number 2 was a class on aquatic macroinvertebrates led by RT Krueger of Northern Lakes Service.  Station 3 was co-led by Chad Mullis of the FC Sherriff’s Dept. and Brad Dahlquist of the WDNR.  They taught about laws and regulations for boaters and fishermen.  Amber Butterfield of the Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition (WRISC) taught the importance of and techniques for decontaminating watercraft that are moved from lake to lake.  The USFS sent two representatives to teach about the important role that bats play in our ecology.  Jennifer Mabrier from the FC Potawatomi Educational Department taught about lake stratification.  Retired Crandon High School science teacher Cindy Edlund returned to lead a workshop on biomagnification.  Station number 8 was led by Michelle Gobert who represented the FC Forestry Department and FC 4H, teaching about the importance of trees in the shoreline environment.  She took photos of each person who attended her workshop as they got to help plant a tree.

A large round of applause must be given to all the students and their teachers for the interest shown and the cooperation given by all during the day.  All presenters and those helping to set-up this very worthwhile event are to be commended on a job well done.  FCAL members are grateful for the opportunity to coordinate this fun, “hands-on” day of learning.

Article submitted by FCAL members Harry Resch and Pam Schroeder

Quiet Waters of Forest County is a project completed by the Forest County Land Conservation Department in cooperation with the Forest County Health Department to promote paddling sports including kayaking and canoeing and the healthy aspects of such sports in the county.

Quiet Waters of Forest County- Lakes Forest County has 824 named lakes and many un-named lakes and ponds to explore. Many of the lakes have limited development and limited use by motorized boats, making them ideal locations for recreational use by kayaks and canoes. Fishing and scenic views abound!

Quiet Waters of Forest County- River Routes Forest County has 850+ miles of streams with a variety of water levels, rapids, and stream impediments to navigate. Many streams have direct access from Township and County roadways that provide water access to many of the most remote portions of our forest for hours of serene enjoyment.

Quiet Waters of Forest County- Impoundments and Wildlife Areas Forest County has thousands of wetland areas which provide waterfowl and wildlife refuges as well as unique plant communities. Some of these areas have accesses for users to allow recreational viewing of the wildlife and plant communities by the public. These accesses by kayaks and canoes provide opportunity for close up wildlife encounters and quiet enjoyment. Searching your browser for the following links will provide google maps and google directions to our wonderful “Quiet Waters” that may be utilized on your computer, tablet or phone.

We welcome you to our beautiful “Quiet Waters” and ask that you utilize them safely, wear appropriate safety gear and protect the resources through wise use. Please pack out what you take in and enjoy!

(Excerpts from his acceptance speech)

“After teaching chemistry and math at Crandon High School for 36 years, I retired in 2001.  Shortly after that Les Schramm asked me to join the Forest County Association of Lakes (FCAL) as a board member.  And then, shortly after THAT, I was asked if I would help with the essay contest FCAL runs each spring with the 5th and 6th grade students from Crandon, Laona, and Wabeno schools.  …Another FCAL initiative with students that I am involved with is their Lake Ecology Field Day.  Through the leadership of Lee Lamers, this “environmental day” was started. Lee asked me to help organize this because of my connection with the schools and my love for students for so many years.  After contacting Dr. Cindy Edlund at the Crandon High School, she worked with the instructors who taught environmental studies at Laona and Wabeno to set up this event during September of each year on beautiful Lake Metonga…  The professionals and experts involved all volunteer their time and are happy to make it an educational and fun day for the students. “

   Resch thanked FCAL President Pam Schroeder, Lee and Vi Lamers, Dr. Cindy Edlund and husband Mike, Les Schramm, his daughter Jodi and husband Russell, son Wayne and granddaughter Karissa and his best friend and partner, wife Janet.  He would also like to thank Mike Preul

“In closing I want to say I am honored to accept this award and I truly do enjoy the work I do with the essay contest and our Lake Ecology Day to share my love of our lakes with our young people.”

Submitted by FCAL Member Vi Lamers

On Sept. 9, 2017 Environmental Studies students from Wabeno, Crandon and Laona High Schools participated in FCAL’s 5th annual Field Day at Lake Metonga’s Vet Memorial Park.  These 51 students were divided into small groups for better learning and able to attend eight different educational stations manned by a variety of specialists: Invasive in Lake Metonga (Harry Resch and Les Schramm FCAL); Fish Counts – Shocker Boat (Mike Pruell- Mole Lake); Lake Laws and Regulations (Officers Don Belland and Sam Wurtinger); Fish (Greg Matske WDNR Fisheries Biologist); Invasive Species (Lindsey Peterson Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition): Aquatic Macroinvertabrates (RT Krueger – Northern Lakes Service); Water Chemistry (Dr. Cindy Edlund – Crandon HS Teacher); and Using GIS in Lake Management (Shari Alloway – Crandon HS Student Teacher).The students from the three schools were intermingled in order to get acquainted and enjoyed a picnic lunch together following completion of all stations .FCAL thanks all the specialist for volunteering their time and expertise.

The 2018 FCAL Board of Directors is excited to announce the opportunity for Lake Associations that are members of FCAL to apply for a $500 matching grant to assist with a lake project.  The guidelines are as follows:

• The applicant must be a member of FCAL.

• The project must be to better the quality of the lake or shore land.

• The lake must have public access.

• The lake must show proof of expenditures in excess of $500.

• Grant requests must be submitted to FCAL President Pam Schroeder,6601 Fischer Drive, Wabeno, Wi 54566 or emailed to pschroeder0214@gmail.com

The 2018 FCAL grant will be awarded at our annual banquet in October.  We hope that finances will enable us to make this an ongoing grant award.