Our Vision
It is the vision of WICOLA to see that the water of White Iron, Farm and Garden lakes remain clean and pure forever. A beautiful place to live and visit. A safe place to swim, boat and fish. A lake system where the recreational users are courteous and responsible to each other and the residents of its shores. An area where everyone will work together for the common good of the community.
To this end, WICOLA wishes to be an organization where all residents of the WICOLA lakes and their backlots can work together for the good of all, now and in the future.
Does that make you excited? Want to join us? -----
You can also contact any of our board members listed. Or --- just print our membership application form and send it to WICOLA, PO Box 493, Ely, MN 55731
We are an organization of close to 200 property owners determined to maintain the water quality of our lakes. As it turned out, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency also has the same goal. Thus, we have the MPCA funded Kawishiwi Water Protection Project.
It’s 2012!
Wow! What a year it’s been! For our success throughout this challenging
year, we thank all the WICOLA members who have responded generously with
your time, effort and money. And our non-membership volunteers have been
an inspiration; thank you so much!
We began the year with the thrilling news that WICOLA had
been awarded an additional $174,500 from the MPCA’s Clean Water Partnership
(CWP). Added to the $225,000 we’d already been awarded from the Clean Water,
Land and Legacy Amendment, we now had sufficient funds for a long-held
dream-extending and expanding our water analysis work into the entire
Kawishiwi watershed: all 1,300-plus square miles.
The year’s first task was our first financial request of the year. The CWP
grant came with a requirement for matching funds. You gave from the heart,
and we were on our way. Today, at year’s end, we are happy to report that we
are very close to meeting our obligated cash requirements. Donations and an
additional grant totaled over $20,000 in year 2011. A huge “Thank You!” to
all who are so dedicated to keeping our water clean. Cash donations required
in year 2012 are less than $10,000. Please consider another donation this
year.
Later on, volunteers celebrated at the Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast, with a
potluck featuring-what else? Boiled rusty crayfish.
As board members, we’ve learned a lot. We’ll apply that new wisdom as we go
forward into 2012, which looks to be almost as challenging, as we tackle
other potential threats to our beautiful lakes.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
President, WICOLA
