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Save the Lake Fund Spring Solicitation Drive

Your efforts to fund projects that benefit Lake Minnetonka are paying off.  The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) has maintained a non-profit Save the Lake Fund since the 1970’s.  Tax deductible contributions received from this bi-annual solicitation drive, and other campaign initiatives, fund environmental and public safety, service, and educational projects that are not provided within the LMCD’s approved Administrative and Aquatic Invasive Species budgets.

Save the Lake solicits proposals to fund projects that meet specific funding criteria guidelines. Based on contributions received in 2011 ($50,000), the LMCD Board of Directors (via the Committee’s recommendation) approved the funding of the following four projects:

• $13,676 to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Foundation for partial assistance in funding a Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV).  The ROV will greatly improve the public safety efforts of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office/Water Patrol divers during search and rescue efforts;
• Up to $30,000 to the Lake Minnetonka Association for the final treatment of the five-year Herbicide Treatment Pilot Program on Carmans, Grays, and Phelps Bays;
• $4,168 to Long Lake Fire Department to improve public safety on Lake Minnetonka for the purchase of ice water rescue suits; and
• $2,470 to the Libbs Lake POA for funding of one herbicide treatment.

Save the Lake receives both monetary and in-kind support from many of our commercial Lake Minnetonka stakeholders.  In-kind support includes the Lake Minnetonka Charter Boat Association annually volunteering their time to install and remove the red and green solar lights (all of which were purchased through the Save the Lake Fund).  Additionally, the marinas are initiating their own campaign drive to not only raise more funds for the ROV (noted above), but also to continue the funding of the Solar Light Program. Look for mailers from these stakeholders.

Many of you have contributed to Save the Lake via the Aerial Photography Campaign. If you have not yet viewed this campaign on the LMCD’s website, please take the time to do so.  Aerial photographs of your favorite bay, or the whole Lake, are available for purchase.

If you would like to contribute to the Save the Lake Fund, please select the “Save the Lake” tab for both monitary or aerial photography contributions.  Additionally, LMCD staff would be happy to assist you in this process (952-745-0789).  Your support is appreciated!

Bill Olson, Chair