The Vilas County Land & Water Conservation Committee will meet on Thurs April 9, 2026 at 9:00 am in Room B.

Agenda April 9, 2026

The WI Conservation Congress holds spring hearings to allow the public to provide input on a wide array of natural resources-related issues.

Online input is available April 13-15, 2026.

In-person hearings are available April 13, 2026.

See the Conservation Congress Spring Hearing webpage to:

• See what is on the 2026 Spring Hearing Questionnaire
• Submit your input online April 13-15
• Find a location to participate in-person April 13 (St. Germain Elementary in Vilas County)

Check out the new edition of Lake Tides from Extension Lakes. Of interest in this issue:

• Kids Don't Float campaigns
• Native mussels
• Whitefish Lakes Eurasian watermilfoil response

Spring/Summer 2026 Lake Tides

Extension Lakes website

Conservation Camp is available for students entering 6th -12th grade during the 2026-2027 school year. Middle School Conservation Camp will be June 28-July 1 at Camp Lakota in Wautoma; and the High School Conservation Camp will be June 15-18 at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters. While the deadline for the Vilas County scholarships has past, there are other scholarship opportunities available and posted on the WI Land + Water Youth Conservation Camp webpage.

WI Land + Water Youth Conservation Camp

Watching the snow fall outside is giving most of us a good case of spring fever! Scratch the itch with some spring conservation films:

• Celebrate Earth Day (eve) with The Extraordinary Caterpillar, showing April 21st at 4 pm at the Olson Memorial Library in Eagle River.
• PBS is showing "An Invitation to Wonder" during the month of April, covering the life, secrets, and importance of wetlands. This film features wetlands in Dane County, WI.

Did you know that in 2025 there were 14 Water Action Volunteers monitoring 14 streams at 17 different locations in Vilas County? The data they get from their work is open to the public, and you can see it on the WAV Stream Monitoring Data Dashboard. Thanks for keeping eyes on our streams!

WAV Stream Monitoring Data Dashboard

The DNR is revising some of the administrative rules that pertain to aquatic plant management including NR 107 and NR 109. Changes include how small ponds and stormwater ponds are permitted; posting public notices electronically; and covering the program costs. A public hearing will be held April 22, 2026.

DNR Proposed Permanent Administrative Rules

Draft Proposed Rules

It's still pretty early in the year, but we've got our Clean Boats Clean Waters (CBCW) training schedule mostly scheduled for 2026. For those that want to be ready for fishing opener, we have virtual trainings in April this year!

Virtual CBWC trainings: April 20 & 27, 2026

In-person 2026 CBCW trainings in Vilas County

Online on-demand training: Available at the Vilas County Land & Water CBCW volunteer webpage by May 8.

Friday April 24, 2026: The North Lakeland Woods & Waters Conference showcases science and stewardship of the Northwoods. Registration opens February 1.

Woods & Waters Conference Flyer

2026 North Lakeland Woods & Waters Conference

Most people love the idea of "Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers". But what does this mean you should be doing to your boat, trailer, and equipment? Did you check all the places you should? Did you actually drain all the lake water? Can you (or should you) take your bait fish with you? Join us on Fri May 22 from 10 am - noon at the Boulder Junction Community Center to go over the What, Why, How and hands-on Doing of cleaning boats, trailers, and equipment.

How to Clean Your Boat at the Landing

The DNR has released a proposed master plan for the North Central Forest. This forest covers some of the northern, western, and eastern parts of Vilas County. This plan will be considered for approval by the Natural Resources Board on April 15.

Proposed North Central Forest Master Plan

We got together with a few more partner agencies and revised our "Shoreline Owners Need to Know" brochure. This new version is much improved! New shoreline property owners who purchased property between Jan 2025 - Feb 2026 will get a copy of this mailed to them from Vilas County Zoning. Of the 22,953 lake and river parcels in Vilas County 1,736 parcels had swapped ownership in the last year. These changes occurred over 527 lakes and 109 streams in Vilas County.

Lake organizations in Vilas County - feel free to use this brochure on your websites. If you would like a few printed copies on hand, please reach out to cahigl@vilascountywi.gov.

Shoreline Owners Need to Know rev 3.2026