Could Horicon Marsh efforts help Supple Marsh? Program May 2

Cattails and reeds are integral to marshland beauty, but some of those species actually are invasive, creating an unfriendly habitat to native plants and animals.

The Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources has been at work in Horicon Marsh to reduce invasive plants. The question of using those methods in Fond du Lac will be discussed at "Horicon Marsh Methods for Supple Marsh?" at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at the Fond du Lac Public Library. The program is free; no registration required.

Paul Samerdyke, wildlife biologist for Dodge County, will explain what the DNR is doing in Horicon Marsh to reduce invasive reeds (also known as phragmites) and cattails without destroying the native species. The invasives can grow so dense that they choke out native plants and reduce wildlife habitat.

Samerdyke has worked for the Wisconsin DNR since 1990 in Oshkosh, Waupaca, Wautoma and Horicon. Currently, his team manages four state wildlife areas.

The program is presented by the City of Fond du Lac, Clean Waters Project, Lake Winnebago Quality Improvement Association of Fond du Lac County and ParkWatch of Fond du Lac.

Lake-Wide Cleanup Day

The Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance is sponsoring a Lake-wide cleanup day on April 21st at 9:00am. The two locations in our area are Supples Marsh and Lakeside Park. The registration site is http://fwwa.org/events-calendar/watershed-cleanup/. It takes about 2 minutes to complete a registration. Alan Weir, an LWQIA member, will be the site leader at Supples Marsh.

FdL Fairgrounds Ag Showcase

The following images are from the Ag Showcase at the FdL Fairgrounds on March 3rd. Gail O’Connell and Alan Weir designed and staffed the booth.

Lead in Potable Water Pipes: Special Report

This year, the Wisconsin DNR was authorized by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to offer grants to help property owners replace lead pipes. The grant covers the portion of the water delivery system...

Download the full PDF report.

Lakeside Park West Garden

One of the Lake Winnebago Clean Waters Project's efforts is the creation of a native plant demonstration garden in Fond du Lac's Lakeside Park West. For information on the garden and to volunteer to help, visit www.lakesidewestgarden.com.

For information on a variety of actions to help stop polluted runoff, visit http://www.lakewinnebagocleanwatersproject.org.

Lake Winnebago Clean Waters Project

In the fall of 2013, the Lake Winnebago Quality Improvement Association of Fond du Lac County (LWQIA) initiated a Fond du Lac area-wide campaign to reduce harmful runoff into Lake Winnebago.

View the Clean Waters Project page for more information.

New Receptacles Help Fishermen Recycle Unwanted Line

Chris Anderson and Matthew Dudarenke install a receptacle at Lakeside Park West.

People fishing on Lake Winnebago now have an easy way to dispose of old or unwanted fishing line. Ten fish line receptacles have been placed around the southern end of the lake in an effort to keep the lake clean and safe for wildlife and people using it.

Chris Anderson designed the receptacles from PVC pipe donated by JF Ahern as part of his Eagle Scout project. Fellow scouts from Troop 705 of North Fond du Lac helped with the construction and installation. The project was sponsored by the Lake Winnebago Quality Improvement Association.

Fishing line, or monofilament, is typically non-degradable and lasts about 600 years. Abandoned fishing line injures or kills fish, birds and other wildlife.

Collection bins are located at the following launch sites:

• Black Wolf
• Hwy 45 Wayside
• (3) at Lakeside Park West (Supple Marsh)
• (2) at Lakeside Park East
• Columbia Park in Calumet
• Fisherman's Road in Taycheedah
• Wolf Lake

Chris discusses the placement of labels with Larry Kent.

Chris Anderson is joined by fellow Scouts to work on his Eagle Scout project, including (from left) John Fuchs, Matthew Dudarenke, Mike Fuchs, Jordon Friend, Kurt Weir, and Patrick Weir. The Scouts are from Troop 705 of North Fond du Lac.

LWQIA 2017 Board Meetings

All Board meetings are at 7 PM on the first Wednesday of each month in the EOC (Emergency Operating Center) in the basement of the Fond du Lac City/County Building. The public is invited to attend.

View past articles.