Square Lake Association’s Protect & Preserve Mission: 2023 Update
Thanks again to SLA members for your active support of our most-excellent Square Lake Association journey of 2023.
Many thought we were pursuing a spin-off of Mission Impossible. However, prayers, patience, persistence, and positivity can indeed move mountains. And what appeared impossible, became possible!
On behalf of Board Officers and Directors, we’re pleased and relieved that our 18-month Wilder Forest conservation and community mobilization mission has succeeded – thanks to:
460 Square Lake Conservancy supporters and petition signers.
200 Protect Wilder Forest sign placements.
$62,000 in expended Stinson legal research and advocacy fees.
All of which helped us Protect & Preserve Wilder Forest’s undeveloped beauty. Positive outcomes for all – including MCYP who recently found a better, more environmentally-appropriate camp site in Wisconsin for its planned high-intensity youth camp.
As we look back in celebration of our 2023 accomplishments, here’s a sampling of recent media to savor, highlighting our conservation mission to Protect & Preserve 600-acre Wilder Forest and 200-acre Square Lake:
Square Lake Conservancy Call to Action - Narration – As presented by our esteemed friend and Conservancy supporter Angie Hong - to the Stillwater Rotary Club on October 31, 2023. To view, simply slide button on right side of screen to advance the presentation, and turn on your speakers. Angie’s narration occurs in the video segment, a few slides in.
Square Lake Conservancy Published Case Study (11/1/23) – A re-telling of our Square Lake Conservancy (SLC) success story of conservation, community, and collaboration.
Catholic Youth Camp Drops Plan to Purchase Wilder Forest - 9-11-23. MCYP departs - as a direct result of our community mobilization and natural resource preservation advocacy.
Wilder Forest Land Sold to Manitou Fund -10-02-2023, and Manitou Fund Buys Wilder Forest Land Wilder Forest Land Near Stillwater - 10-03-23. Conservation-centric Manitou Fund replaces MCYP, with the full support of our May Township community.
MCYP & Heartwood Resort – Trego, Wisconsin (10/24/23), and Catholic group to purchase Wisconsin resort - Twin Cities Pioneer Press - 11-7-2023. All’s well that ends well - for all parties.
Commendations, cheers, and thanks to Manitou Fund, Wilder Foundation, and each of you who have contributed to our magnificent collective achievement.
Your SLA Officers and Board of Directors look forward to working with you this coming year, in pursuit of our SLA Conservation Goals for 2024-25, including:
Proactive, continuously strengthened AIS protection – with ongoing best efforts to secure a Square Lake Park Watercraft Decontamination Station.
Strengthening strategic bridges with May Township, Washington County, Carnelian St Croix Watershed District, Minnesota Lakes & Rivers, Minnesota Land Trust, River Grove School, and Manitou Fund.
Further promotion of the Square Lake Conservation Fund, in pursuit of targeted AIS, water quality, Park planning, and Protect & Preserve conservation activities on behalf of our Square Lake Association and Conservancy.
Protecting and preserving the lakes, habitat, woodlands, wildlife, and watershed of Wilder Forest, Square Lake, and May Township’s Conservation District, with continued best efforts to obtain a Permanent Conservation Easement for the 55 acres of Wilder Forest adjacent to Square Lake.
For those interested in taking a deeper dive into a more detailed presentation of SLA’s conservation and natural resource preservation accomplishments, current activities, strategic challenges, and future plans, please click here: SLA Conservation Mission and Activities Overview.