NEWS AND EVENTS
2024 Youth boat safety class
The classes will take place on June 14 , June 20 and July 12. Check in 8:30am at the Gull Lake Yacht Club (19696 Love Lake Rd) and classes start at 9am. RSVP with Mary Kay Larson at 218-831-5656.
25 students per class so sign up soon!
All participants will receive hands on experience, lunch. a life jacket and a boating operator's permit. Class will conclude at 1pm and is free of charge.
Rainfall monitoring network seeks volunteers
DNR News Release - March 1, 2024
Participants provide important data about precipitation, climate trends
The Minnesota State Climatology Office is seeking rainfall monitors for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. The network includes more than 20,000 volunteers nationwide who measure precipitation in their backyards using a standard 4-inch diameter rain gauge.
Participants submit their precipitation reports online. The data from backyard rain gauges are a critical source of information and it’s beneficial to add more volunteer weather observers each year, even in areas where there are already volunteers.
“Rainfall and snowfall amounts can vary widely over a short distance, so a variety of reports is helpful in the same community or area,” State Climatologist Luigi Romolo said. “We have some areas in greater Minnesota that have very few reporting stations. The more we have across the state, the better information we all have.”
“Over time, as more volunteer reports make our precipitation maps more accurate, these observations provide critical guidance on Minnesota’s changing climate,” Romolo added. “This is also a great educational activity for families with kids and a rewarding hobby for anyone interested in weather or climate.”
Volunteers are particularly needed outside the immediate Twin Cities metro area. Volunteers receive training on how to observe weather trends and how to submit their precipitation and weather event reports. All training material is available online. Participants must purchase or provide a standard 4-inch diameter rain gauge (available at discount through CoCoRaHS) and have internet access to submit reports.
For the past four years, Minnesota has won the “CoCoRaHS Cup” for recruiting the most new volunteers of any state. “We’re hoping Minnesotans will again come through in 2024 to keep the cup in Minnesota and, more important of course, to improve our state’s precipitation recording,” Romolo said.
To sign up or for more information, visit CoCoRaHS.org or contact Luigi Romolo at luigi.romolo@state.mn.us.
End of MnDNR News Release
==========================
Note from GCOLA website manager Dave Anderson:
Watch for an article about CoCoRaHS in the GCOLA Spring News Magazine. You can also contact Dave Anderson if you have questions about CoCoRaHS at dla920@charter.net.
Crow Wing County - Now hiring for Seasonal Watercraft Inspectors
For more information and to apply: visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/crowwingmn/jobs/4380959/seasonal-watercraft-inspector?page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
The "Loon Lady" featured on KSTP-TV
Sheila Johnston is well known as the "Loon Lady" on the Gull Lake Chain. She is a tireless advocate for our state bird. Be sure to watch the interview that aired on KSTP-TV.
Click here to access the video and several useful links about protecting loons.
Updates from The St. Anthony Falls Research Center
Click on link below to read the update from SAFL's Healthy Waters Initiative
Healthy Waters Initiative Update - November 2023
Watch WCCO and CBS Video on GCOLA’s Lake Steward Program!
By Bailey Rieger-Borer and Aki Nace
Kris Driessen, Sheila Johnston and Dorothy Whitmer - Lake Steward Committee
Click the link below to view the video and to read the article.:
state-of-water-restoring-lake-shores (Video begins right after the ad)
Stay informed with news releases from the Minnesota DNR
The detailed reports can be found at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news