Board Quarterly Report (2022 Q4 & 2023 Q1)
On behalf of SLA Board Officers and Directors, I’m pleased to present the following SLA Board Quarterly Report, highlighting our recent accomplishments, as well as our strategic plans, going forward:
A) Accomplishments (2022 Q4 and 2023 Q1).
1) Wilder Forest Phase-One fundraising, and legal advocacy, success. Town Board vote (2 to1) to approve proposed Conservancy District provision in the new Comprehensive Plan, as persuasively supported by SLA Board and legal counsel – including our fundraising success for legal expense coverage (approximately $32,000 in 2022).
2) Wilder Forest Phase-Two fundraising, and legal advocacy, work-in-progress. Currently awaiting the second MCYP CUP application, or alternative path forward plan, after their first CUP submission was rejected. Phase Two gifts and gift commitments received to date equal $30,000, plus strategic discussions in-progress for the remaining $25,000, for a total targeted $55,000 in funding reserves, for recommended Phase-Two legal representation outlay.
3) Wilder Forest Phase-Two environmental impact research and reporting. A continuing work-in-progress, thanks to Lynn Mecum, in support of planned Stinson counsel’s legal arguments. Importantly, the areas of Wilder Forest that encompass Clear, Mays, and Terrapin Lakes are listed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as areas of High Biodiversity Significance. Information about this designation is located here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/mcbs/biodiversity_guidelines.html#:~:text=A%20site's%20biodiversity%20significance%20rank,land%2C%20or%20whether%20it%20is.
4) Successful filing of the unexpectedly complex, 501c3, full-Form 1023 application - setting the stage for SLA Donor tax-benefits in 2023.
5) Filing and State approval of new SLA Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws - thanks to the stellar work of our Articles & Bylaw Committee members, Carol Gilligan, Anne Hovland, Joanne Josephson, Jane Krentz, and Lynn Mecum.
6) Successful planning-in-process for 2023 AIS prevention, education, and funding activities – including very productive planning meetings with Washington Conservation District’s (WCD) Matt Downing and Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District’s (CMSCWD) Mike Isensee.
We are currently advancing the following AIS and conservation projects, subject to the success of our fundraising efforts:
a) AIS Educational Videos. SLA Board to use new AIS videos as part of our AIS educational plan for SLA Members, community friends and leaders.
b) Lake Steward Program. SLA Board is expanding our Minnesota Lakes and Rivers (MLR) strategic relationship, with continued emphasis in 2023 on their excellent Lake Steward Program.
c) AIS De-Con Station. SLA Board is researching the feasibility of an AIS De-Con Station for boats and trailers, at Square Lake Park, as originally proposed by Jack Perkovich of Washington County Public Works in 1991, and most recently advanced and championed by Matt Downing of Washington Conservation District. This is priority #1 on our SLA Board protect & preserve wish-list.
d) Spiny Water Fleas Study. While Zebra Mussels and Eurasian Milfoil will have very detrimental and costly impacts on Square Lake, the lesser known and lesser studied Invasive Species that poses a higher negative impact and threat risk to water clarity is Spiny Water Fleas, who target zooplankton (which in the case of Square Lake would completely change the factors creating our unique and highly valued water clarity). Intrusion of Spiny Water Fleas will also jeopardize Square Lake daphnia since they follow the same diurnal cycle of retreating to deep water during the day and moving up at night. Having successfully eliminated one non-native, daphnia eater (Rainbow Trout), we need to address the much more devastating predator of daphnia - Spiny Water Fleas. A Research Study in collaboration with WCD, MLR, and MAISRC will consider how an AIS Inspectors might optimally adapt their inspection criteria to proactively address the Spiny Water Fleas threat.
e) Inspection Sourcing and Staffing. Funding for more inspection hours at the Square Lake Park boat launch is critically important for AIS prevention. We are exploring ways to help recruit inspectors, and optimally increase our cost-share commitment. Additionally, we’re considering how we can position Square Lake as a benchmarking model for AIS education and prevention, highlighting SLA partnerships with Washington County, Carnelian Marine on St Croix Watershed District, MLR, and MAISRC, for example.
f) Curly-Leaf Pondweed. The one AIS intruder we have not succeeded in eradicating is the Curly-leaf patch on the southside of the Lake, for which we have previously invested $1700 per year. We are currently seeking funding and creative ideations for ridding the Lake of this nuisance. See linked EOR analysis dated August 31, 2022, for background, entitled Square Lake CLP Survey & Assessment.
g) Website Education. Hosting, webmaster services, and subscription costs to expand our online coverage of conservation and natural resource topics.
7) A newly updated Membership Directory and Membership Map, thanks to the dedicated work of Alicia Blanchard and Matt Mattson.
B) SLA Strategic Plan - for 2023 deployment:
1) Quarterly Board meetings.
2) Improved member communications.
3) Increased volunteer recruitment for targeted projects.
4) Strengthening strategic bridges with May Township, Washington County, Carnelian St Croix Watershed District, and the new Wilder Forest owner.
5) New member recruiting.
6) Fundraising to strengthen our Treasury reserves.
7) Proactive, continuously strengthened AIS protection.
8) Obtaining 501c3 status for the Association.
9) Finalizing the proposed set of updated Association Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, and Conflict of Interest Statement.
10) Other plans to-be-determined with member input.
C) Strategic Planning Priorities.
1) To increase Treasury reserves, via one or more of the following strategies, under consideration:
a) Goal-setting – proposal to raise Treasury reserves from $0 currently to $10,000 by year-end.
b) Dues increase – proposal to raise yearly dues from $75 to $150.
c) One-time member contribution proposal, post 501c3 filing, of between $250 and $500 per contributor (40 x $250; 20 x $500; 10 x $1000).
d) Alternatively, consider launching a GoFundMe campaign.
e) Other ideas welcome and encouraged.
2) To secure the remaining $25,000, of the recommended $50,000 goal, for Phase-Two Wilder Forest legal representation. Donor prospect referrals urgently needed, please, for me to pursue.
3) To finalize dates for quarterly Board meetings, and Annual Meeting (February 15; May 17; August 16; November 15).
4) To recruit volunteer(s) to help with Square Roots Blog postings – to improve frequency, and increase number of member communications. Matt Mattson has kindly and generously offered to help with this.
5) To recruit volunteers to help Officers advance our SLA & River Grove Advocacy Committee strategy for Wilder Forest project. Mark, Lynn and I urgently need help with this, please.
D) Financials.
SLA Treasurer Lynn Mecum recently prepared the following 5-year financial statement for 501c3 Form 1023 filing:
If you have questions, please feel free to email me at your convenience.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Seidl
President
Square Lake Association