From all of us at the Lake Leelanau Lake Association, we wish you a Happy New Year! With the New Year underway and resolutions on many minds, we wanted to share our goals and objectives for 2026. Who knows, maybe involvement in one of our activities might make it onto your New Year’s resolution list!
Stewardship
Aquatic Invasive Species Remediation and Monitoring
This program, in partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB), aims to monitor and control aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Lake Leelanau. Since its discovery in 2019, LLLA has been actively working to control Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) with non-chemical methods, namely biodegradable burlap blankets, which smother and kill the EWM beneath them. Another invasive aquatic plant, curly-leaf pondweed (CLP), has also been discovered in a couple of small areas that are being controlled.
The main objectives for 2026 are:
- Surveys and monitoring: Survey with boats and SCUBA divers for EWM and CLP in both North and South Lake, the Narrows, the Leland River, and the Cedar River to identify any new infestations. Additionally, contract with ZeroGravity Aerials to perform an aerial drone survey of South Lake Leelanau aimed at identifying and quantifying any EWM in Lake Leelanau, and compare these results with past drone surveys.
- Maintenance: With the field team of technicians and SCUBA divers, monitor all previously controlled AIS infestations and perform any necessary maintenance with burlap blankets. Use survey results to cover any previously uncontrolled or new infestations.
- Early detection: Develop a program for targeted monitoring of key AIS of concern. In collaboration with Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, we plan to utilize Remote Operated Vehicles to monitor for new invasive species in areas that are difficult to survey with drones, boats, or divers.
- Community-based monitoring: In 2025, we launched a community-based monitoring program to educate lakefront residents to look out for EWM on the shoreline of their properties on North Lake Leelanau. We plan to expand this program to South Lake Leelanau in 2026 to get even more eyes on the water to scout for AIS.
- Native plant restoration pilot study: While we have seen a large amount of natural recovery of native plants in areas where EWM has been controlled with burlap, we would like to kickstart this recovery process by propagating and planting native aquatic plants onto the burlap.
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Education
- Boat wash stations: Continue to operate and staff our four boat wash stations on Lake Leelanau this year with more staff hours than in previous years to increase the number of boats washed each year.
- AIS prevention education: Distribute educational materials and signage to spread the message of “Clean, Drain, Dry” to our community of lake users.
- True Blue Program: Continue to implement an AIS protocol certification program for watercraft rental companies to ensure their rental boats are properly washed before launching into Lake Leelanau.
Water Quality Monitoring
- Expand sampling: With results from the water quality data analysis performed by Grand Valley State University showing that our lake water temperature and phosphorus levels are increasing, we are doubling down on our monitoring efforts. On top of our existing monitoring efforts, we will be enrolling in the state Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program, collaborating with the Leelanau Conservancy to continue long-term water quality sampling, in addition to taking some extra phosphorus and chlorophyll-a samples of our own. We will also implement a new Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program, so stay tuned for ways to get involved!
Shoreline Stewardship
- Educational events and conversations: Host another Shoreline Restoration Field Day and additional neighborhood gatherings to provide place-based educational opportunities to learn about shoreline restoration. We also aim to interface more with those who have input into shoreline development to promote shoreline Best Management Practices, such as contractors, excavators, real estate agents, etc.
- Shoreline Consultations: We will continue to perform shoreline consultations to provide custom-fit recommendations to homeowners for ways to help protect their property and our water. Be the first to sign up for a 2026 Shoreline Consultation here!
- EGLE Permit Review: Continue to review EGLE permit applications related to shoreline and wetland projects to provide permit applicants with guidance on Best Management Practices to protect our lake.
- Terrestrial Invasive Species: Continue to implement our Integrated Pest Management approach to combat invasive species that impact our wetlands and shoreline areas, namely purple loosestrife, yellow flag iris, and Phragmites. We will continue to collaborate with the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network to treat infestations of Phragmites in our watershed. In addition, we will again help to provide Galerucella beetles on properties with large and dense infestations of purple loosestrife, so please reach out if you think your property qualifies!
Zoning for Water Quality
- Township Presence: Continue to work with townships on zoning matters to protect water quality.
Finance and Governance
A lot goes in to tracking our finances and governing our organization. Though slightly less exciting, we would be remiss to not mention all of the behind-the-scenes work our board members do to develop policies, secure insurance, provide human relations support for our growing number of employees, prepare and track our budget, and responsibly steward our finances.
Community Engagement
- Community events: Host or participate in several events throughout the year, from educational events like Kids Fishing Day and the Leelanau Maritime History Festival to fun community events like the Leland 4th of July Parade and our Member Mixer. And of course, don’t miss out on our Annual Meeting, where we share our State of the Lake presentation and elect new directors!
- Increase engagement: Engage with our community through events and outreach to sustain our current members and recruit additional members. Did you know that about 60% of Lake Leelanau homeowners are not members of the Association? We are actively working to decrease that percentage, and we need your help!
Pheww!
As you can see, 2026 will be another busy and important year in our work to protect and preserve Lake Leelanau. We rely on your support to realize all of these programs. Do you have a neighbor who is not yet a member of the Association? Could you help us by sharing this article with them to show how impactful their membership is in stewarding the lake we all love? The Lake Leelanau Lake Association is here to do a lot of the work, but we need an engaged community to do their part as well. Encourage your friends and neighbors to join the Lake Leelanau Lake Association today.