Our 2026 Workplan Goals at a Glance

2026 Workplan Highlights

Our mission at Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy is to deliver Walloon Lake, a place where people and nature thrive, to the next generations through the power of conservation.

Our work is centered around three focus areas: land, water, and people, with the throughline connection of preserving Walloon Lake and its broader ecosystem, now and into the future.

2026 Focus Themes

  • Increasing the scope and quality of our lake and stream monitoring efforts
  • Permanently protecting high value conservation land through the acquisition of nature preserves
  • Scaling our community engagement work to educate the public and landowners about the importance of preserving Walloon Lake and its watershed
  • Reducing deferred maintenance of infrastructure on our protected lands

Below, you’ll find a few specific examples of how we’re implementing goals from our 2026 Work Plan, in alignment with these overarching themes.

Water Stewardship Goals

  • Conduct a comprehensive shoreline survey in partnership with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council.
  • Facilitate weekly lake water quality monitoring from May through September.
  • Implement the “Make Waves Wisely” outreach campaign for responsible wake boat use.
  • Scale monitoring of Schoof’s Creek and Fineout Creek threefold.
  • Place safety buoys at key shallow and narrow areas in partnership with Walloon Central Marine.
  • Conduct research at Camp Daggett to reduce exposure to the parasite that causes Swimmer’s Itch.
  • Operate four boat wash stations and explore future locations.
  • Treat Eurasian Watermilfoil through a contract with PLM Lake and Land Management.

Land Conservation Goals

  • Complete three high priority land acquisitions to expand nature preserves.
  • Replace an undersized culvert at Fields Preserve with a timber foot bridge.
  • Replace failing boardwalk sections at Fields Preserve and Indian Garden Nature Area.
  • Standardize trailhead kiosks and trail junction signage at ambassador preserves.
  • Remove terrestrial invasive species at heavily impacted preserves.
  • Construct a new loop trail segment at Howell-Zimmerman Preserve.
  • Develop a plan to enhance facilities at Postle Farm Preserve.

Community Engagement & Education Goals

  • Host a five-part Summer Speaker Series on conservation issues.
  • Refresh the Lake Ambassadors program for neighborhood-level engagement.
  • Secure funding to pilot a watershed artist-in-residence program.
  • Update the memorandum of understanding with North Central Michigan College.
  • Deliver seasonal community engagement events focused on conservation and stewardship.

Most of this work is only possible because of our members, Guardian Fund donors, business sponsors, Love Walloon event attendees, and dedicated volunteers. With a fully staffed organization once again, we’re dreaming big and being bold. With your continued support, we can make 2026 a banner year for Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy.