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Groups join in collaborative effort to manage Delavan Lake watershed

Photo

Photo by Kyle Bursaw

Signs have been put up indicating the Delavan Lake Watershed, like this one on Theatre road in Williams Bay.

DELAVAN -- Efforts to preserve the health of both Delavan Lake and the surrounding land that drains into it have begun to take shape this spring with the long-awaited launch of the Delavan Lake Watershed Initiative Network, or Delavan Lake WIN.

The steering committee met Thursday in Elkhorn for the second time as member groups continue work on a comprehensive plan to manage the lake's resources within the watershed.

Program manager Maggie Zellner will make a presentation on the group's progress Saturday at a free Delavan Lake information day at 8 a.m. at Community Park on Highway 50 in Delavan Township.

The founding members include a growing list of organizations dedicated to protecting Delavan Lake from storm water, industrial and agricultural pollution.

"In these difficult financial times, where conservation budgets are being slashed, our region is coming together," Zellner was quoted as saying in a news release. "Delavan Lake WIN is looking at fresh new ways to protect our lake and the economic vitality of the region."

Delavan Lake Watershed Initiative Network is composed of community groups, all levels of government, nonprofit organizations and other local interest groups. The diverse membership works collaboratively to implement a comprehensive Delavan Lake watershed plan by organizing, prioritizing, coordinating and monitoring land management and outreach activities.

"Delavan Lake WIN bridges political interests, groups and municipal boundaries to build a program that will actually protect the lake," said Karen von Huene, Executive Director of Wisconsin Lakes. "By being non-partisan and all-inclusive we can achieve greater improvements and protections for our region's people, economies and environment."

Delavan Lake WIN is managed by the Kettle Moraine Land Trust.