Friends of Lake Monroe was BUSY in 2023. We continued to implement the Lake Monroe Watershed Management Plan and educate our community about the importance of keeping Lake Monroe drinkable, swimmable, and fishable.
Conservation Cost-Share Program
With the support of a new 319 grant, we launched a Conservation Cost-Share Program to help farmers adopt new conservation practices. A total of $90,000 in cost-share funds was initially available, with $62,900 approved for projects in 2023.
Public Meeting with Dr. Eric Barefoot
In April, we hosted a public meeting featuring Dr. Eric Barefoot and his research studying sediment movement in rivers and floodplains. One of his study sites is on North Fork Salt Creek, one of the main tributaries to Lake Monroe.
Bloomingfoods Positive Change
Thank you to everyone who shopped at Bloomingfoods and opted to round up in April. Friends of Lake Monroe received $10,094.23 from the Positive Change program as well as introducing Friends of Lake Monroe to a whole new audience.
Dock Float Cleanup
In May, a group of FLM members spent a day removing abandoned dock floats from around the lake. These unclaimed plastic orphans constitute both an eyesore and a hazard to our lake. This is an ongoing issue that we hope to tackle again in 2024.
Kayak Trips
We organized kayak trips in April, May, June, July and September to get people out on the water. These trips were sponsored by the Sassafras Audubon Society and the Rotary Club of Bloomington. In September, 8 members of Big Brothers Big Sisters participated, measuring turbidity, ph and temperature/depth profiles as part of their trip. Our big brother/big sister participants were very enthusiastic about their time on the water and their chance to be community scientists.
Lake Monroe Day Becomes Lake Monroe Week
Many thanks to the Bloomington Rotary Club for helping us expand our Lake Monroe Day celebrations this year. Activities included a celebration at Upland, a kayak trip, a pontoon ride, a guided hike, children's activities at Wonderlab, a lunch stop on the Bloomington Bicycle Club's Tour de Ramps, water plant tours, and two shoreline cleanups! We look forward to continuing to grow our celebration in 2024.
Our Wondrous Watershed
In November, we presented photo exhibit featuring work by fourteen members of the Bloomington Photography Club at the Brick Room Gallery in downtown Bloomington. It was wonderful to explore the lake and the watershed through the eyes of many talented photographers.
Protecting Water Quality and Old Growth Forest
FLM continued to oppose the U.S. Forest Service's Houston South logging and burning plans. In March, we successfully obtained a preliminary injunction, preventing the imminent logging and burning of forest adjacent to South Fork Salt Creek.
Before continuing, the court requires that the USFS adequately address the effects of the project on Lake Monroe. Additionally, all USFS projects involving removal of old growth trees are paused, pending review by the regional forester.
Science Committee
The FLM Science Committee continued to meet regularly to develop protocols for evaluating shoreline erosion at Lake Monroe. New members are always welcome! Contact Maggie at watershed@friendsoflakemonroe.org
Shoreline Cleanups
Many thanks to Richard Harris for continuing to organize monthly shoreline cleanups at Paynetown. In 2023, 28 individuals participated in FLM cleanups. We look forward to continuing the tradition this year (and seeing slightly less trash every year).
Farewell Iris
Our executive director, Iris O'Donnell Bellisario, has taken a position as a program manager with the nonprofit Lead for America. We wish her the best in her new position.
Our work continues in 2024 with many of the same projects. This will be the second year of our Conservation Cost-Share Program and we plan to host several field days and workshops to highlight conservation practices both on agricultural and forested land. We will also be working to promote septic system maintenance and will run a voucher program in Monroe County to help subsidize the cost of pumping and inspecting septic tanks (which should be done every 3-5 years).
Announcing Our 2024 Board Members
Officers for 2024:
Sherry Mitchell-Bruker, President
Cheryl Munson, Vice President
Joe Ryan, Treasurer
Keith Bobay, Secretary
At Large Members:
Kelly Conaway
Christy Crandall
Board Member Recruitment
We are looking to fill two open positions on the Friends of Lake Monroe Board of Directors. The Board needs a variety of skills, particularly in the areas of development, fundraising, grant writing, and media expertise. We encourage anyone passionate about the lake to consider applying. Board members are expected to attend monthly board meetings (approximately 2 hours each) and serve as an officer or on a committee. Friends of Lake Monroe values diversity and equal opportunity and strives to reflect these values in our board and our actions. Learn more and apply today! We accept and review applications on a rolling basis.
Get Involved
Interested in volunteering but not sure how? Contact our volunteer coordinator, Keith Bobay, at volunteer@friendsoflakemonroe!
Want to help with event planning or member recruitment? Contact Development Committee Chair Jim Krause at development@friendsoflakemonroe.org
Curious about the Science Committee, our Conservation Cost-Share Program, or anything else watershed related? Contact Watershed Coordinator Maggie Sullivan at watershed@friendsoflakemonroe.org.
Follow our Facebook page for regular updates or interact with other FLM members by posting events, news, and photos to our Facebook group.
Become a Member!
Friends of Lake Monroe depends on members like you to keep our organization strong. Join today to help us keep the lake drinkable, swimmable, and fishable. Individual membership is only $25 annually.
