What We Do as "Stewards for the Gull Chain"
Info-graphic of GCOLA activities and spending
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Your Lake Association Is Working For YOU!
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.
