What We Do

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 water quality of our lakes and stream inlets through quantitative chemical analysis. Samples are collected by GCOLA volunteers and analysis completed by a licensed environmental laboratory.

• Measures water quality during the summer by secchi disk readings taken by GCOLA volunteers.

• Promotes star gazing and northern lights viewing through educational initiatives on light pollution.

Finance/Audit Committee

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

• Manages budgeting process

• Supervises financial statements and audit process.

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.

Gala Committee

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

Government Relations Committee

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

Lake Steward Committee

• Invites all lakeshore owners to Take the Quiz and receive the Lake Steward Award for managing shoreland to promote lake water quality.

• Provides funding for approved shoreland naturalization projects.

• Conducts a Tree Giveaway each spring to promote naturalization of shoreland to protect water quality.

Loon Preservation Committee

• Conducts a yearly loon count in the spring and late summer.

• Educates boaters on loon-safe boating practices

• Promotes the Get the Lead Out loon safe-fishing program.

• Supports loon reproduction activities including loon nesting platforms.

Membership Committee

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

• Recruits new members through the Lake Ambassador program.

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.