The Sugar Lake Association plays an active, vibrant role in lake life. Over 80% of private lake property owners as well as many nearby property owners are SLA members. Many SLA members have served in leadership positions. Twenty percent of the approximately 300+ members have served on the Board of Directors at one time or another during the past years. In addition, SLA members serve on committees, helping to harvest milfoil and curly leaf pondweed and plant and maintain numerous shoreline restoration projects. Sugar Lake Association volunteers sponsor an annual picnic, fishing contest, plant exchange, Light Up the Lake night, and numerous social events that enrich the lives of SLA members.
Why should I consider joining the Sugar Lake Association?
The lake you live on and enjoy using is truly a gift and not to be taken for granted. Lakes need to be used and cared for in a manner that allows it to sustain itself. As anyone who has boated or swam in lakes with high usage can attest to, water quality and vegetation can become an issue. Even on larger bodies such as Lake Minnetonka, invasive species of water (and fish) will seriously impact the ecosystems of a lake to where external help is needed.
To this end, in 1972 a group of people came together to form the Sugar Lake Association. Since its inception, the goal has been and remains, to “Protect, Preserve, Maintain and Improve the Sugar Lake environment.” The Association became 501c3 Charitable Organization status in 1996 and has continued to use (tax deductible) donations and dues with frugality to fight invasive species (Eurasian Milfoil, Curly Leaf Pondweed and any new threats such as Zebra Mussels and Starry Stonewort that might arise in the future) and to make improvements to the Watershed to reduce and eliminate contaminated runoff that threatens water clarity
Over the years, projects have been proposed and implemented. To this end, Sugar Lake water is about as clear as it was in the early days of the association, clarity varying in the 10-12’ range most of the months, and to a large part, invasive plants have been controlled. It is important to note that much of the money to do these projects have been through grants and matching funds at the State and County level. Without contributions from association members, these projects would go unfunded and water clarity would suffer. Visit www.sugarlake.org for more on events, history of the lake, calendar of events as well as current and past copies of newsletters. In these, you will find many articles explaining the cost/benefits of projects undertaken and being planned. Your voice matters and all members or those considering joining are encouraged to attend the monthly association meetings where Board members formulate plans to improve the lake and to sponsor fundraising events so the work can continue.
Potential members might be asking, “What’s in it for me?” The answer is simply “Water”. Whether you enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing or just sitting and watching the sunrise or set, it can’t be enjoyed to its fullest if the lake becomes clogged with invasives or is so filthy with dirt and algae that you wouldn’t even let your dog swim in it!
You also might be asking, “How do my dues ($50 annually) get used?” Every association has some expenses for things like mailings, printing, insurance and the like. This represents less than 10% of the money collected. Dues also fund social events like the fishing contest (~$200), and the annual picnic (~$2500, that fosters raffle sales that typically raises $5000 or more, to fund lake improvements). Most importantly, dues allow monies to be directed to lake improvements and to fight invasive species. Budgets for these efforts vary but it is not uncommon to spend $20,000 or more per year on fighting invasive and improvement projects, in addition to matching funds which are so critical to success.
Please consider joining the association. As a new resident or one who has drifted from the association, consider this: We are stewards of the land and lake we live on and use. We are responsible for its future!
Sugar Lake Board of Directors and members thank you for your thoughtful consideration! Annual dues are $50. Also, consider "buying an acre" of Sugar Lake, which is a great way to help maintain the beauty our lake.
The lake you live on and enjoy using is truly a gift and not to be taken for granted. Lakes need to be used and cared for in a manner that allows it to sustain itself. As anyone who has boated or swam in lakes with high usage can attest to, water quality and vegetation can become an issue. Even on larger bodies such as Lake Minnetonka, invasive species of water (and fish) will seriously impact the ecosystems of a lake to where external help is needed.
To this end, in 1972 a group of people came together to form the Sugar Lake Association. Since its inception, the goal has been and remains, to “Protect, Preserve, Maintain and Improve the Sugar Lake environment.” The Association became 501c3 Charitable Organization status in 1996 and has continued to use (tax deductible) donations and dues with frugality to fight invasive species (Eurasian Milfoil, Curly Leaf Pondweed and any new threats such as Zebra Mussels and Starry Stonewort that might arise in the future) and to make improvements to the Watershed to reduce and eliminate contaminated runoff that threatens water clarity
Over the years, projects have been proposed and implemented. To this end, Sugar Lake water is about as clear as it was in the early days of the association, clarity varying in the 10-12’ range most of the months, and to a large part, invasive plants have been controlled. It is important to note that much of the money to do these projects have been through grants and matching funds at the State and County level. Without contributions from association members, these projects would go unfunded and water clarity would suffer. Visit www.sugarlake.org for more on events, history of the lake, calendar of events as well as current and past copies of newsletters. In these, you will find many articles explaining the cost/benefits of projects undertaken and being planned. Your voice matters and all members or those considering joining are encouraged to attend the monthly association meetings where Board members formulate plans to improve the lake and to sponsor fundraising events so the work can continue.
Potential members might be asking, “What’s in it for me?” The answer is simply “Water”. Whether you enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing or just sitting and watching the sunrise or set, it can’t be enjoyed to its fullest if the lake becomes clogged with invasives or is so filthy with dirt and algae that you wouldn’t even let your dog swim in it!
You also might be asking, “How do my dues ($50 annually) get used?” Every association has some expenses for things like mailings, printing, insurance and the like. This represents less than 10% of the money collected. Dues also fund social events like the fishing contest (~$200), and the annual picnic (~$2500, that fosters raffle sales that typically raises $5000 or more, to fund lake improvements). Most importantly, dues allow monies to be directed to lake improvements and to fight invasive species. Budgets for these efforts vary but it is not uncommon to spend $20,000 or more per year on fighting invasive and improvement projects, in addition to matching funds which are so critical to success.
Please consider joining the association. As a new resident or one who has drifted from the association, consider this: We are stewards of the land and lake we live on and use. We are responsible for its future!
Sugar Lake Board of Directors and members thank you for your thoughtful consideration! Annual dues are $50. Also, consider "buying an acre" of Sugar Lake, which is a great way to help maintain the beauty our lake.
Download a Membership Form.