2004-2005 Update and Newsletter

          For almost 60 years the Eau Claire Lakes Conservation Club has been serving the Barnes and Gordon communities. The mission of the organization has been to insure the area surrounding the Eau Claire Lakes chain remains a premier four-season recreational area. Over the years the club has undertaken many projects to fulfill their mission; this past year was no exception.
          Work continued in 2004 on a Purple Loostrife eradication project.  Purple Loostrife is an invasive perennial plant that spreads rapidly in lakes, ponds and road side ditches. It crowds out native plants and reduces food, shelter, and nesting sites for wildlife, birds, turtles and frogs. Club members have worked on raising beetles and releasing them where Loostrife is growing. This bio-control program is supported by The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and is considered one of the best ways to limit the spread of this invasive species.
          As in previous years, the club will raise Walleye fry throughout the summer of 2005. In the fall the fry will be transferred from holding ponds to local lakes - increasing the quality of fishing in the area. This project is undertaken in conjunction with the Red Cliff Indian Reservation's Fish Management group. The lakes which will receive the Walleye fry are determined by the WDNR.
          The club is also attempting to get permission from the DNR to stock Middle Eau Claire Lake with pan fish obtained from other lakes where stunted growth has been a problem. This program is designed to address the falling fish population in Middle Eau Claire Lake.  
          Work on fish projects continues even in the winter months!  During the past winter, members of the conservation club built a Walleye spawn bed on Robinson Lake. The bed, which measures 30' x 70' contains many sizes of gravel, and has been placed in an area along the lake's shore.
          Keepiing the area clean is another way the club insures that the Eau Claire Lakes is a leading area for leisure activities. In 2004 the club sponsored two road-side clean-up days. Held in the spring and the fall the days brought out many volunteers - both young and old. Additionally the club donated funds to scuba divers who conducted an underwater clean-up on Middle Eau Claire Lake. The divers brought up everything from bottles to refrigerators!
          For many years, club members have volunteered time and labor to installing, removing and maintaining many of the docks at area boat landings - thus guaranteeing area visitors have adequate access to area waterways. Additionally, club members also care for the Barnes Rifle Range - located off County Road N, east of the Barnes transfer site. The range is heavily used, and requires regular cleaning and repairs.
          The Eau Claire Lakes Conservation Club also conducts a hunter safety class once per year. The 2004 class, which was held in August 2004, included participants from Solon Springs, Mason, Gordon and Barnes. A total of 23 students attended the week-long class. Mark your calendars for 2005; the club will conduct a Hunter Safety program again this summer - August 8th through the 13th.
          ln preparation for the Barnes Centennial Celebration, the club erected signs at 16 locations in the Barnes community. These signs commemorate historical sites and events.. These signs were created by Bob Paszak who donated his talent and labor!
          The bulletin boards at the boat landings on Upper, Middle & Lower Eau Claire lakes were upgraded in 2004 by the conservation club. Now, all have Plexiglas to protect the educational lake materials displayed at each landing.
          The Conservation Club annually donates a $500 scholarship to a Drummond high school graduating senior who will pursue further education in conservation or an environmental field. The 2005 recipient of the scholarship is Steven Sill - who plans to attend UW Stevens Point this fall. In the past year the club also donated funds to the Drummond Library for reading materials related to conservation. Over fifteen books have been purchased including the Backpacker's Field Manual, Encyclopedia of Edible Plants, and the North American Waterfowl Guide.
          The Eau Claire Lakes Conservation Club is an active organization in the area. However the club needs your financial support to continue their work. There are two ways to support the club monetarily. The first is to rent the club's pontoon trailer. The trailer can be rented by contacting Dick Webb at the Barnes office of Masterjohn Realty - 795-2110. The rental rate is $20.00 for four hours. The second is by becoming a contributing member of the Eau Claire Lakes Conservation Club. Please do so soon by returning the form at the bottom of this newsletter.
          Thank you for taking the time to read our annual update: The club welcomes volunteers and other interested individuals. Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Barnes VFW Club at 7:00 p.m. (April - November).
           Current contacts for further information are the following officers:
                     President...............Dave Scharlau ...795-2560
                     Secretary...............Dave Pederson...795-2047

(In order to use the following form, you will need to highlight it, copy it, and paste it into your word processor and print it out.)

2005 Eau Claire Lakes Conservation Club
Dues, Membership, and Donation Information


Name:  ___________________________________    


Address  __________________________________  

City ______________________________________

State  ______________________  Zip  __________

Number of Memberships @ $2.00  ____________

Additional Donation $  ___________

Total enclosed  $  _____________


Return payment information to:
Eau Claire Lakes Conservation Club, Inc.
c/o State Bank of Drummond
50490 State Highway 27
Barnes WI 54873