Watershed Network

The Lakes Council has been funded by the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and the WI-DNR River Grant program to create and support a Watershed Network. This network will improve communication and cooperation among the many clubs, agencies, and municipalities undertaking projects that will protect, improve, and sustain aquatic resources in the Winnebago System and its watershed.

The vision is that a network of coordinated efforts can accomplish more, be more efficient, and reach goals quicker than any single group (even a large lake council) working alone. The idea is to support collaboration amongst clubs, organizations, and agencies on information gathering, outreach to citizens, project planning, fundraising, grant writing, and project administration.

The project is being started with three efforts.

1. First is the development of a Web site to bring together the contact information for groups working on the lakes and the watershed.
2. Second is to determine how to increase the financial resources available for projects that prevent pollution or improve habitat stewardship in the watershed (such as starting a Watershed Fund).
3. Third is the development of pilot projects to gain experience in partnering. As an example, the Lakes Council and The Butte des Morts Conservation Club have received DNR Small-Scale Planning grants to conduct a survey of shoreland property owners on Lake Butte des Morts that will enable us to plan effective programs for protecting and restoring habitats and preventing pollution.