For 54 years now, members of the Glen Lake Association have worked to protect and preserve their slice of heaven.
They've captured and relocated Merganser ducks to control swimmer's itch, conducted studies on how to combat invasive species, paid for a part-time lake biologist and constantly monitored water quality.
At its 47th annual conference the Michigan Lake and Stream Associations recently recognized that hard work and commitment by tapping the Glen Lake Association for its 2008 "Michigan Inland Lake Steward of the Year Award." It is the Lake and Stream Association's top award.
Happily, Glen Lake isn't the only body of water in northwest Lower Michigan that has benefited by the tender attentions of its own fan club.
We have the Friends of the Jordan River, the Long Lake Association and the Anglers of the Au Sable. There's the Fishtown Preservation Society and the Grand Traverse Watershed Center. There's the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, the Boardman River Restoration Project, the Great Lakes Information Network, Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation and the Inland Seas Education Association.
Virtually every body of water in the region has its protectors and advocates; virtually every one of us has benefited from their commitment in one way or another. They're the early warning system and the living lab. When invasive weeds show up, some group or another recognizes the threat, warns the rest of us and works with state and local officials to eliminate the problem. They've battled eurasian watermilfoil, purple loosestrife and curly-leaf pondweed.
In some ways this is simply a necessity. As Glen Lake Association president Sarah Litch pointed out, "There are 11,000 lakes in Michigan and there is no way (state regulators) can be involved with every one of them." That job, then -- if it is to be done at all -- falls to groups like the ones listed above and many, many more.
There is no small amount of self interest in all this, of course. Lakefront property owners don't want swimmer's itch or watermilfoil to destroy their enjoyment of home. Anglers of the Au Sable want a world-class, trout-friendly river they can fish in.
But in the vast majority of cases that self interest parallels the public interest and good things result. There is also much incentive to monitor and comment on the policies of the state Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers.
And none of these groups is a bit shy about speaking up about a policy or pest they perceive as a problem.
The Glen Lake Association has earned the accolades; they and all the other groups that tend our resources have earned our respect and thanks.
Keep it up. Please.
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