As March eases into spring, temperatures at Douglas Lake are oscillating between sub-freezing and promising 50s, with occasional threats of snow to assure that we keep the shovels handy at the front door. Seasonal strong winds assure the inevitable yard clean-up should be on your “to-do” list.  The Lake is beginning to make those low rumbles that signal fissures in the ice and worries about the danger of shoreline damage and erosion as the winds push large chunks of ice and high waves landward depending on the direction of wind.
            On the bright side, as the ice breaks up, we anticipate the return of the loons and their courting and nesting activities.  The best sure sign of spring!
            Heads up!! Munro Township has contracted with a local waste management provider for the Township’s Annual Spring Clean-Up service scheduled for Saturday, May 29, 2021.  This is your opportunity to clean up the storage shed, pole barn, or the cottage and move all that “who knows when this was last used ?” – or just “what is this?” stuff to the road side.  More details in early May including a list of what is accepted for pick-up and the ‘no-nos.’

            The annual DLIA Dues and Member Update mailing was sent to all DLIA members in mid-February.  Thank you to all those who have already paid their dues by check or PayPal (online through DLIA website at www.DouglasLake.org/Membership).  An updated DLIA Member 2021 Directory is being printed this year. 

To meet print deadlines, your membership information must be received by April 10, 2021. You can send the updated Member Information Form with your dues check. The New Member/Member Update Form is also available on line.  Click on the link below:

DLIA New Member/Member Update Form
 

            As Spring approaches, the DNR reminds us that bird feeders are an attractive first-snack for bears just waking from their winter sleep.  After leaving their dens, bears are opportunistic-feeders and will take advantage of available food sources such as calorie-rich bird seed, garbage cans and pet foods.
            To avoid potential conflicts with bears, help your community avoid bear conflicts now by removing your bird feeders, securing trash can in enclosed areas, and taking in pet foods that may be outside.

Shoreline Partnership’s Conference March 24, 2021

• Some of the "secrets" of promoting healthy shorelines and making lasting change.    
• How waves work, why understanding them is important to keeping erosion of your shoreline away and some of the concepts being used in natural shoreline design in high energy situations.