The Vilas County Land & Water Conservation Committee will meet on Wed Aug 12, 2026 at 9:00 am in Room B.

Agenda August 12, 2026

Northwoods Land Trust created a short video of why healthy forests and clean water matter to our communities. Check it out on YouTube!

Land & Water: The Heart and Soul of the Northwoods

No worries! We've got the presentation recorded and posted on our website. If you own shoreline and ever wonder about what you can and can't; or should and shouldn't do on your shoreline this is for you! Paths, docks, gazebos, boathouses, firepits, swim rafts...oh, my! Vilas County Zoning, Vilas County Land & Water Conservation, and DNR Waterway Permitting staff cover the basics of how shoreline development affects lakes; Shoreline Zoning regulations; and state regulations impacting shoreline owners.

Shorelines 101 recording

Shorelines 101 PowerPoint

Vilas County Lakes & Rivers Association reported that in 2025, Trout Lake Station researchers unexpectedly found higher fish diversity and abundance in Eurasian watermilfoil beds vs. areas of native plants in Little Spider Lake. Trout Lake Station plans to spend the next two summer characterizing the fish, zooplankton, aquatic insects that use Eurasian watermilfoil beds. This research will help managers understand better when, where, and how to intervene in lakes with Eurasian watermilfoil.

VCLRA: How Does EWM Compare to Native Plants as Habitat?

On Thurs August 13, the Natural Resources Board will be considering approving an easement of 1,200 acres of private forest and waterfront property near Land O'Lakes. The forest lands will continue to be "working" forests but will also be accessible to the public.

WXPR Coverage of Legacy Forest Addition

NRB Aug 13, 2026 Agenda

Properly cleaning your boat and equipment after leaving a landing will prevent most aquatic invasives from spreading. But when invasives are too small to see it takes extra steps to effectively remove them. Check out the YouTube video on spiny waterflea prevention created by our own summer LTE's Josh Stirn and Jack Hartman.

YouTube Spiny Waterflea Prevention

If you still need Clean Boats Clean Waters inspector training this summer, you can do so with our online on-demand training available at the Vilas County Land & Water CBCW volunteer webpage. Inspectors should be retrained every 2 years.

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

If you love the beach at Silver Lake in Eagle River, consider joining Vilas County Land & Water staff in learning what plants grow near the beach area at Silver Lake. Go from being grossed out about slimy seaweed between your toes to knowing the names of some very helpful aquatic plants that the fish and wildlife in Silver Lake depend on! All ages are welcome, but children must be supervised. RSVP and meet us at the beach at 10 am!

Aquatic Plants of Silver Lake

The Izaak Walton League of America has announced July 26-Aug 1, 2026 as Nitrate Pollution Awareness Week.

Many private wells in eastern WI agricultural areas have elevated levels of nitrates in their groundwater. Nitrates contaminate drinking water and can lead to blue baby syndrome and other diseases. Some nitrogen is essential for aquatic life in lakes and rivers, but too much can feed algae blooms and excessive aquatic plant growth.

If you would like to learn more or get FREE supplies to monitor your own waterbody for nitrates check out the Izaak Walton Leagues website.

Izaak Walton League's Nitrate Pollution Awareness Week

Join Oneida County Land & Water Conservation to watch the Perseid meteor shower at Nicolet College - celebrate our night skies!

Star Party Flyer