Property owners along Bony Lake in Bayfield County decided they needed to turn back the clock if future generations were to enjoy the lake's clean water and wildlife as they have.
"We realized we were responsible for leaving a healthy lake legacy for our children and grandchildren, and the best way to do that was to partner with our neighbors and local government to remove unsightly riprap and other lake-unfriendly things, and to replace them with the native plants and trees that were here before us," said LeBreck, a member of the Wisconsin Association of Lakes and Bayfield County Lakes Forum [www.bayfieldcountylakes.org] (eixt DNR) who spearheaded a project that's one of the largest habitat restoration efforts in Wisconsin.
"Project success is built upon citizens contributing their talents and skills to drive the effort and share their stories with neighbors and surrounding communities," Toshner said. "Perhaps the greatest gauge of success is that we're hearing from property owners along other lakes who want to follow the lead of the Bony Lake folks."