The first seven photos were taken at the WAPOA Board's Annual Planning Meeting in late November 2011.
The all-day meeting allows careful discussion of the year just past and planning for the year to come.
Major concerns for WAPOA continue to be the continuing threat of invasive species and water quality.
Much of the meeting was spent on these two topics.
Much of what happens to our lakes depends on what happens in township, county, and state meeting rooms.
That activity goes on year-around. WAPOA will be there through the winter even if you cannot be there.
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PLANNNG MEETING PHOTOS COURTESY MUFFIE DAVIDGE and SANDY MELBERG |
Above: Late November 2011. WAPOA President Dave Fischer calls the Annual Planning Meeting to order.
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Above: This all-day meeting gives the Board plenty of time to carefully review the year just past and plan for WAPOA's 2012 work.
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Above:WAPOA Natural Resources Director Ed Egan participating in discussion of WAPOA's multiple programs to combat invasive species. The Board continues to strengthen these programs.
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Above: One of several small working groups. l-r, Tom Watson, Land Use, John Forney, Land Use, Dave Topinka, Membership, Ed Egan, Natural Resources |
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foreground,l-r, Sandy Melberg, Secretary, Dave Fischer, President, Jack Wallschlaeger, Director Emeritus, Ken Neihart, Outreach. Background: other working groups |
above: Marv Erdman, Aquatic Invasive Species, leads discussion.
clockwise from top
, Marv Erdman, AIS Director, Gary Olson, Treasurer, Jim Brandt, Ann Schrupp, Newsletter, Judy Wallschlaeger, Director Emeritus
above: The WAPOA Board at the November 2011 Annual Planning Meeting
WAPOA Directors not in group photo:
Les Degner, Director Water Quality
Jenny Max, Director, Run for the Walleye
SUMMER TIME PHOTO BELOW: WAPOA EXHIBIT AT BOAT SHOW
l-r, Dave Fischer, WAPOA President, Judy Wallschlaeger and Jack Wallschlaeger, both are former WAPOA Presidents. WAPOA Board members with a presentation of WAPOA activities at the Antique Boat Show in Crosslake. Judy is explaining WAPOA's efforts to raise shoreowners' interest in lakeshore restoration through a lakeshore restoration contest sponsored by WAPOA and other groups. |
Below Fish Stripping: If you had been in Crow Wing County this spring, mid-April 2010, you could have visited the fish stripping site just above where the Pine River enters Uppper Whitefish.
Walleyes swimming up the Pine River to lay eggs are intercepted by MN DNR fishery workers. The strip the walleyes of eggs and sperm, mixing them together in a bowl.
The fertilized eggs are then moved quickly to hatcheries, one of which is in Brainerd. Weeks later the new little fish are stocked in various area lakes, some of them coming back to the Whitefish Chain.
A black lab observes walleyes in holding nets as Minnesota DNR fishery workers set up for a day of fish stripping near the mouth of the Pine River. Taken mid-April 2010.
Gentle pressure applied to the abdomen starts to express milt from the male fish. Milt is mixed immediately with eggs from females. Fertilization must be accomplished within 60 seconds. Clay is added to make the eggs less sticky.
At times this spring up to 70 school children at a time visited the fish stripping site.
A view of a typical WAPOA Board meeting:
This is the April 2010 WAPOA Board meeting. Meetings are held monthly in the Ideal Community Hall. Visitors are welcome to attend the Board meetings. In addition to the regular agenda Crow Wing County Administrator Tim Houle spoke and then he and Crow Wing County Commissioner Thiede had an active discussion with the Board.