STRATEGIC PLAN

The wheels of imagination, innovation and integration were turning last fall. Our Board, members, staff and volunteers worked collaboratively to rewrite our mission and vision. We have created a five-year Strategic Plan that will be a road map on our journey toward distinction, and now the real work begins. Our measurable goals have metrics to track our progress, and we will hold ourselves accountable along the way. We are doubling down on the power of conservation around the lake and in the watershed. Your continued support and the generosity of your time will propel the organization forward.

THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH US, TOGETHER WE WILL DELIVER WALLOON LAKE, A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE AND NATURE THRIVE, TO THE NEXT GENERATIONS THROUGH THE POWER OF CONSERVATION.

Mary Pat Goldich

WLAC PRESIDENT

Core Values

NOW AND FOREVER: We understand that the future of Walloon is in our hands. As caretakers of the Walloon Lake watershed, it is our responsibility to ensure that it remains a special place and incredible resource for future generations.

PRESERVATION: We acknowledge the need to maintain the highest level of conservation standards to protect the watershed in its entirety and to preserve Walloon’s history in response to growing development pressures and generational turnover.

FAMILY: Walloon Lake holds precious family memories, a shared heritage and provides a place to bond, relax, appreciate nature and be grateful for the bounty of our planet.

EDUCATION: In order to best serve our mission, we must listen, learn and provide the educational tools and resources needed to build awareness, increase trust and inspire action.

COMMUNITY: Our community is comprised of diverse environments and people united around our common interests in Walloon Lake and its watershed.

Thought And Action

LEADERSHIP: We are leaders among environmental and conservation organizations, both in thought and action, with the ambition and mindset to do more and better.

Five Goals 1 Community Engagement

The WLAC will foster a culture of conservation by engaging a diverse community of people who live, work and play on Walloon Lake and in the watershed.

2 Water Quality

The WLAC will continue to advance clean water initiatives and maintain healthy ecosystems in Walloon Lake and its watershed through responsible land and water protection programs.

3 Land Stewardship

The WLAC’s conserved lands are managed to the highest standards.

4 Local Government Coordination And Environmental Advocacy

The WLAC will coordinate with agencies of the five townships and two counties and other concerned stakeholders on government policy to protect Walloon Lake and its watershed.

5 Fund Development

The Walloon Lake watershed community understands, supports and invests in the WLAC’s longterm success.

We know that keeping up with best practices or figuring out what exactly you can do to help protect Walloon is an overwhelming task. That is why we put together our “Big 3 for 2023” campaign. Below is a checklist with ideas to get you started this year.

1 Steward The Land

By protecting the land around the lake, you are directly protecting Walloon’s water quality. Here are a few ways to be a community conservationist:

 Become a member or encourage friends and family to join

 Volunteer as a Preserve Monitor

 Donate land to the WLAC

2 Guard The Shoreline

Lakefront owners are the first line of defense against everything from runoff entering the water to combatting shoreline erosion. Here are a few ways to protect the shores of Walloon:

 Stop using fertilizer on your lawn

 Attend our Native Plant Sale on June 24th

 Plant a greenbelt or add to one you already have

3 Be Septic Smart

There is no underscoring the importance of maintaining your septic system - no matter if you’re only here two months a year or live two miles away. Here are a few ways to be septic smart:

 Answer this question: “ Do I have a septic system?”

 Schedule a maintenance appointment

 Replace or repair a faulty system

CAN YOU ACCOMPLISH ALL OF THE ABOVE IN 2023?

EVERY CLASSIC COTTAGE ON WALLOON HAS A FASCINATING STORY TO TELL. STORIES OF HISTORY, STORIES OF FAMOUS FAMILIES AND STORIES OF LIFE ON THE LAKE IN A SLOWER, GENTLER TIME. HERE ARE THE STORIES OF EIGHT MORE CLASSIC WALLOON COTTAGES.

SAGAMORE LODGE (ABOVE)

FRANK & ELLEN GROSSI, OWNERS

Lake Grove Road

History, charm, stunning design, glorious view - Sagamore Lodge has it all. This spectacular log home was built in 1929 by Charles McCuen, a self-taught engineer who rose through the ranks to become vice-president for research at General Motors, responsible for several remarkable inventions. He sold Sagamore in the 1940’s after his wife Adele was in a serious auto accident. Subsequent owners of the lodge maintained its architectural integrity. Frank and Ellen Grossi bought the lodge in 2009 and have thoughtfully reimagined its interior with the addition of a beautiful kitchen and a master bedroom suite, all while retaining the spirit of the original house. The expansive grounds are enclosed at the road by a picturesque stone fence, one of only a few on the lake. The Grossi family, which includes many UM alumni, enjoys the breathtaking view of Walloon, particularly Camp Michigania, whose youngest campers have a tradition of stopping in front of Sagamore’s iconic boathouse looking for Puff the Magic Dragon!