Minnesota Coalition of Lake Associations

MN COLA December Membership Meeting - December 9
2025-12-09 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago)
The December quarterly Membership meeting will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, December 9th at 9-11 AM CT. We have three important items for discussion:

Jeff Forester, MN Lakes and Rivers Advocates, will provide a preview of the 2026 Legislative session including an overview of their strategy to help retain the annual distribution of the $10 million in AIS Prevention Aid.
Finally! The MN boat wrap recycling program has begun. Sarah Bonvallet is heading the recycling program and will present early steps that are underway.
One lake association is using software designed for homeowner’s associations to streamline much of the work related to member dues, communications, accounting, document storage, and more. Margrette Newhouse is the Treasurer of the Christmas Lake Homeowner’s Association. She will discuss the software package and how the Association is benefitting.

Register here for the meeting.

Introduction to Lakes Online course - begins January 20, 2026
2026-01-26 08:00 - 2026-03-27 17:00
Registration for the award-winning Michigan State University Extension Introduction to Lakes Online course is now open! MN COLA’s Jim Kutzner took this on-line course 4 years ago and thought it was highly valuable and completely relevant to Minnesota Lakes.
This six-week online course kicks off January 20th and is designed for anyone interested in inland lakes including concerned residents, decision makers, local leaders, and lakefront property owners. Course instructors include faculty from MSU Extension and state agency personnel.
Course topics include lake ecology, watershed management, shoreline protection, aquatic plants, Michigan water law, and community engagement. These six topics are explored online through video lectures, interactive activities, and discussion forums. Additional resources are also provided for those looking to dive deeper into a topic. Participants communicate with each other and instructors through lively discussion forums and biweekly Ask-an-Expert webinars which include guests from organizations such as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Registration is open now through January 27, 2026, at 5 pm ET. The cost of the course is $115 per person. An early-bird rate of $95 is available if you register by January 5, 2026.
Click here for more information.
