Katie and her partner, Michael, kayaking.
My family will be celebrating our 50th year on Grindstone next year! We’re three generations enjoying this beautiful lake.
What compelled you to serve on the board of the Grindstone Lake Foundation?
My daily walks are to the boat landing that shares an eastern border with the cranberry bog. When the property was for sale, I thought about how much the landscape and lake would change if major development happened on the bog property. When the Foundation acquired the land, and I had an opportunity to help fundraise to pay back the loan from our lienholder, it was an easy decision. We all fight water quality in NW Wisconsin and I’m proud to have an opportunity to be a part of that.
Loon and baby.
Katie’s nieces and nephews swimming.
The bog’s shoreline view is one of my favorite views of the lake. My favorite things to do on Grindstone Lake are hanging out on the dock, listening to the loons and enjoying time with family. Swimming and playing in the water with my niece and nephews is a very close second.
Shoreline View
We have an opportunity to return 57 acres to its natural state as much as is possible. Developers have continued to have an interest in the land but have so far been hampered by DNR restrictions. That doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen in some form if we’re not successful in gaining clear title to the cranberry bog to secure its future and restoration. We’ve brainstormed ideas to offer shoreline conservation demos to property owners, create trails for recreation, provide opportunities for community education, and restore the wetlands. All of this has the potential to serve this community and this lake well into the future.
The Grindstone Lake Foundation was founded for the purpose of acquiring and rehabilitating a 57-acre tract of land – comprised predominantly of a cranberry bog – on the Grindstone Lake shoreline. Their mission is to steward the protection, restoration and preservation of the track to wetlands and create a community-supported nature area that is publicly accessible to Grindstone Lake residents and visitors. Thanks to a generous benefactor who provided financing for the acquisition, the property was purchased with the intent of avoiding future development. The Grindstone Lake Foundation is working hard to pay back the benefactor. The Foundation has raised over half of what they need to purchase the Grindstone Lake Cranberry Bog. They recently received a matching grant to help them reach the finish line. Learn more about the Grindstone Lake Foundation and the cranberry bog at savethebog.org.
Is there an issue on the land because of the heavy pesticides associated with cranberry growing?
Hi Jan,
Like other forms of modern agriculture, the commercial growing of cranberries commonly uses pesticides and fertilizers, which along with hydrologic manipulation, can impact their watershed. This property has been out of production for many years, so the current impacts may be less than they were historically. If/when certain restoration activities are conducted on the property, the placement, use and disposition of soil and fill material should be closely managed.
Rick Remington, Conservation Manager
Great news. Thanks Rick!