What's New

Thanks to the generosity of many, many SCLA families, the SCLA Preserve and Protect campaign has achieved the $1.2M goal. Inspired by an anonymous $100k matching gift announced in September 2022, lake friends joined together to donate over $150,000 in just four short months — more than enough to release the $100k match and to achieve the campaign goal of $800,000 in endowment and $400,000 emergency reserve funding.  Thank you to the generous family who donated the $100,000 match; your leadership and energy nurtured the spirit of philanthropy that made this possible.

This achievement provides SCLA reliable funds to support its mission long term AND readily available funds in case of emergency needs. SCLA is also poised to learn and invest in best practices to protect and steward our water quality and retain the magnificent Spider Lake ecosystem. 

In 2014 the SCLA board under the leadership of President Michael O'Sullivan, launched the $1.2M campaign to create an endowment and emergency reserve.  Key architects of the campaign plan included O'Sullivan and board members Robert Lebby, Patrick Delaney and Steve Smith.  We are grateful to these leaders and their fellow board members for their vision and hard work to develop a sustainable financial vehicle to protect the Spider Chain of Lakes for future generations.  We are also grateful for you, SCLA members, who increased your support of SCLA by adding annual gifts in the form of fish tier donations that are allocated to current expenses.  We simply could not have done it without you.  Your ongoing spirit of philanthropy to support our mission is a wonderful legacy that is critical to our ongoing ability to protect these lakes.

Last year, fish tier donations funded nearly 50% of SCLA expenses.  It remains an important source of funding SCLA mission activities such as boat monitors at public landings.  Please continue to support SCLA in the future by being a fish!

For more information about the endowment and emergency reserve see the Endowment and Emergency Reserve section on this website.

Thank You, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your overwhelming generosity in helping SCLA achieve the $100K Match Challenge.  Your gifts in 2022 were instrumental in SCLA not only achieving "The Match", you also brought us extremely close to our target $800K raised for the endowment and $400K for the emergency reserve.  Details will be in the January email to members.  

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!  

The SCLA board of directors hosted an "All Member Virtual Meeting" October 25 to review how SCLA is working to protect water quality and to encourage members to complete the $1.2M campaign to ensure long term funding of the work.  Ray Langer, Chair of the SCLA AIS Committee joined President Larry Keller and Vice President Jerry Keating to lead a presentation of the many ways that SCLA works to protect the Spider Chain of Lakes.  Click here to download a copy of the presentation.

A generous SCLA family has created a $100,000 Match Challenge to inspire members to donate in 2022: please do so whether you have already donated or you have yet to make your first gift.  All donations to the Preserve & Protect Fund (or, separately to the endowment or emergency reserve) will be matched dollar for dollar if made by December 31, 2022. Completing the $1.2M campaign will provide a reliable source of funding to protect the Spider Chain of Lakes for future generations.  

Members of the SCLA board of directors began calls this month, to every member to explain how SCLA protects the lakes.  For more information, reach out to SCLA at SpiderChainofLakes@gmail.com.   And watch your USPS mail for a letter with the 2023 Member Renewal Form; it contains more information on why an endowment and emergency reserve are critical to our ability to fund protection efforts in the long term.

The SCLA Member Picnic returned with nearly 100 members and guests on a beautiful day at Boulder Lodge.  Membership Committee and other volunteers presented a delicious meal and members contributed delicious desserts and salads as we joined in community for the first time in over two years.

A $100,000 Match Challenge was announced at the Annual Picnic.  It is designed to complete the $1.2M Preserve & Protect Campaign (now called the Preserve & Protect Fund) .  A generous family will match all gifts to the Preserve & Protect Fund (or to the endowment or emergency reserve) made between September 4 and December 31, 2022, up to $100,000. This is a great opportunity to raise $200,000 for SCLA, the only organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the Spider Chain of Lakes for future generations.

Gifts to the Preserve & Protect Fund are allocated 2/3 to endowment, 1/3 to emergency reserve fund; it was launched in 2014 as a campaign to bring financial sustainability (a reliable source of funds) to SCLA.   Please consider making a second gift if you have already donated, or make your first gift to protect the water quality of the lakes for future generations.  For more information on the Preserve & Protect Fund click here.  Checks can be sent to PO Box 1082, Hayward, WI 54843 or use pay pal on "Donate" button.

A million thanks to the generous family who is supporting our mission in making this $100,000 Match.  The SCLA board of directors will be calling members in the coming weeks to invite you to participate in the Match Challenge, and to answer your questions about how SCLA makes a difference in protecting the lakes.  Feel free to send in a donation BEFORE you get a call!!!  AND!  Join us Oct 25 at 7 pm CT for a virtual meeting to learn more about how you can help SCLA.

The SCLA Board of Directors is proud to announce that Spider Chain of Lakes Association has earned the "PLATINUM Seal of Transparency" from GuideStar (Candid)* for a FIFTH YEAR in a row (beginning in 2017).  GuideStar (Candid) is the world's largest source of information on non-profit organizations.  By sharing metrics that highlight progress that SCLA is making toward its mission, GuideStar (Candid) helps donors move beyond simplistic ways to evaluate charities.  Congratulations to all SCLA volunteers for your work.  We could not have achieved this (highest) level of recognition without you!  

*Candid and GuideStar became a single company: Candid Foundation Center was the largest source of information about philanthropy globally, and GuideStar was the largest source of information on US nonprofit organizations.  In 2019 the two organizations joined forces to become Candid.

The 2022 NW Wisconsin Lakes Conference brought together lake enthusiasts, educators, and decision makers for a day of learning, networking, and fun. With a keynote address from author Ted Rulseh ("A Lakeside Companion" (University of Wisconsin Press 2019)) and numerous engaging breakouts, the conference offered opportunities to interact and learn from professionals and other lake association volunteers.

Author Rulseh's presentation advised that the key to lake protection is for individuals and associations to become evangelists for the cause, actively engaging with lake property owners, one by one or in small groups.

The theme within several sessions focused on how we manage our property which has a very strong affect on our lakes.  UW- Extension said they have studied AIS so long and poured so many resources into AIS issues that more investment might yield a diminishing return. They are focusing increased attention and resources on educating the public on land management of lake properties. 

To learn more about Wisconsin Lakes, go to their website WisconsinLakes.org and sign up for their quarterly electronic newsletter.  SCLA volunteer Candy Ramsay is featured in the Spring/Summer 2022 issue as the 2022 recipient of the Wisconsin Lakes Lake Stewardship Award:  Excellence in Public Engagement.  Candy was honored at the 2022 SCLA Annual Meeting of Members in May to celebrate her many years of service to the lakes and to SCLA.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, Candy!

Mark your calendars for the 2023 state conference in Stevens Point: April 19-21, 2023 at the Stevens Point Holiday Inn and Convention Center.

SCLA is a proud member of Wisconsin Lakes, a decades old partnership of lake associations and districts whose mission is to conserve, enhance and restore Wisconsin’s lakes to ensure their sustainability for the benefit and collective use and enjoyment for this and future generations.

SCLA President Larry Keller announced at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Members on Saturday, the DNR approved the first ever Comprehensive Lake Management Plan (CLMP) for the Spider Chain of Lakes.  Copies were made available for "check out" at the annual meeting of members.  A digital copy will be posted on this website soon.

The CLMP, created in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the foundation for how SCLA will work over the next 10 years to preserve and protect the Spider Chain of Lakes for generations.  It addresses lake water quality, habitat, aquatic invasive species prevention and the social framework to support the long-term health of the lakes.

The Annual Meeting of SCLA Members was held outside at the Town of Spider Lake pavilion on a rainy, but pleasant gathering of members May 28th.

SCLA leadership highlighted the recent approval of the first ever Comprehensive Lake Management Plan for the Spider Chain of Lakes, presented an update on membership, education, philanthropy and the financial report. Two board members were re-elected to 3-year terms: Gina Blayney and Jay Hoeschler.  

Long time volunteer, Candy Ramsay was presented with the Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Award originally presented at the April 2022 Wisconsin Lakes annual conference in Stevens Point.  The annual award honors and celebrates extraordinary volunteer efforts to protect lakes in Wisconsin.  Candy has donated enormous amounts of time and energy to SCLA and the Spider Chain of Lakes over many years.  Thank you, Candy!

President Larry Keller announced the Northern Pike removal initiative this year will include cleaning the pike and donating to the Hayward Food Pantry.  Stay tuned for more details in the next email blast.

The AIS Committee, led by Ray Langer and David Meyer presented details on the Comprehensive Lake Management Plan.  More educational opportunities lie ahead.  Contact us at spiderchainoflakes@gmail.com to learn more about how you can volunteer to help implement components of the CLMP.

DID YOU FORGET TO RENEW?  If so, please renew today.

The SCLA Fiscal Year is Jan 1-Dec 31.  To be eligible for voting member status, in 2022  dues must be paid on or before Dec. 31, 2021. 

Please consider renewing at a FISH TIER; these gifts go directly to cover SCLA annual costs of protecting the Spider Chain of Lakes, including over $30,000 to pay boat monitors at public launches.  We need all members to contribute annually to fund these important efforts to keep our lakes clear of aquatic invasive species.

There are 2 ways to renew:  (1) Download the 2022 Member Renewal Form and send it with your check to our PO Box; (2) Renew online at the RENEW page on this website.

The final draft of the first ever Spider Chain of Lakes Comprehensive Lake Management Plan was forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in early December.  The plan has a 10-year horizon and addresses lake water quality, habitat, aquatic invasive species prevention, and the social framework to support the long-term health of the lakes.  The Spider Chain of Lakes includes Clear Lake, Fawn Lake, North Lake and Big and Little Spider Lake in Sawyer County.  If approved by the WDNR, the plan will be implemented from the Spring of 2022 through 2032.  

With this CLMP, SCLA joins a growing list of Wisconsin lake associations and lake districts that are planning for the future in cooperation with the Wisconsin DNR and local agencies such as its partners in Sawyer County.

After the "Public Comment" period ended on November 30, 2021, the final draft was forwarded to the WDNR; final approval is expected in February 2022.  A copy of the plan that was submitted is available on this website, along with additional information on the background and funding.  For more information on how SCLA protects the Spider Chain of Lakes go to the Lake Management tab on this website.