What We Do | gcola

What We Do as "Stewards for the Gull Chain"

Info-graphic of GCOLA activities and spending

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Aquatic Invasive Species Committee (AIS)

• Coordinates with the City of Lake Shore Police Department to provide water craft inspections for invasive species at the County Road 77 boat landing.

• Conducts two inspections at 24 locations to look for AIS.

• Donates annually to the University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) for zebra mussel research.

• Fulfills AIS prevention needs including establishing a boat power wash station at the Gull Lake Recreation Area public access ramp managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Communications Committee

• Maintains a website (www.gcola.org), a member group email service and a Facebook page (@GullLakeChain) to provide timely communication.

• Issues four newsletters per year to keep members informed about association programs and important issues affecting the Gull Lake Chain.

Environmental Committee

• Monitors lakes and streams running into the Gull Lake Chain for water quality. The samples are taken by GCOLA volunteers, with testing completed by licensed environmental labs.

• Takes weekly secchi disk readings during the summer to test the water clarity.

• Promotes lake shoreline restoration projects by providing matching grants for approved restoration projects.

• Awards Lake Steward signs to property owners who have eliminated the use of lawn chemicals, have a shoreline buffer zone of native plants, and upland zone with trees, shrubs, and natural ground cover.

• Gives 500 native tree/bush seedlings to members every year.

• Conducts a yearly loon count in the spring and late summer and promotes loon-safe boating.

Gala Committee

• Plans and executes annual fundraising Gala, including silent auction, trip raffle, and event sponsorship. Finance/Audit Committee

• Oversees the Gull Chain Preservation Endowment Fund and AIS Contingency Fund which provides long term funding for stewardship activities.

Fisheries Committee

• Attends annual Avid Angler discussion led by DNR and local fishing guides and outdoor media.

• Stays informed on fishery-related research from the University of Minnesota AIS Research Center.

• Reports findings in GCOLA newsletter. Government Relations Committee

• Works with state legislators the DNR, state agencies and local government units on lake issues and concerns.

Membership Committee

• Conducts membership development programs to recruit and retain individual, family, and business memberships.

Safety & Recreation Committee

• Purchases, installs and maintains one of the premier navigational buoy systems (90 buoys) in the State of Minnesota. We also install the no wake enforcement buoys for the sheriff ’s department.

• Provides free maps, with boating rules and regulation, at three public landings.

• Partners with Cass and Crow Wing county sheriffs to provides free boat safety training for approximately 75 youth per year.

• Works with county sheriffs on safety and enforcement issues including donations for night vision equipment, a range finder, and life jackets.