Group described as a lake hero for its work in getting rid of invasive vegetation
Members of Friends of Vancouver Lake are being recognized in a video series that highlights the accomplishments of groups that benefit their communities by leading the way in restoration and preservation.
The Lake and Pond Heroes series features five bodies of water throughout America, showcasing local residents doing their part to improve their regions.
“It was exciting,” said Kathy Gillespie, co-chair of Friends of Vancouver Lake, referring to the production of the Vancouver Lake video. “We always want an opportunity to share the lake with anyone — people in our community, people across the state, and across the country.”
She described Vancouver Lake as one of a kind.
Those who love the lake stepped up in recent years in an effort to get rid of invasive vegetation. Eurasian watermilfoil was becoming more than a menace in the lake.
Friends of Vancouver Lake was formed, and the group raised money to fight the problem.
Treatment, which cost more than $150,000, was a success. Now, the plan is to continue to survey to check for recurrence. That will allow FoVL to stay on top of any potential problems rather than playing catch-up, Gillespie said.
SePRO, experts in aquatic management, produced the video for its website.
“My overall impression of the video is really how beautiful the lake is,” Gillespie said. “I think it’s stunning.”
The video notes how much money the lake brings into the community, hosting various events, including regattas. Those events were in danger due to the watermilfoil. Older images of the lake show just how “massive” the infestation was before the treatment, Gillespie said.
“Everybody in the community has the potential to say, ‘Hey, I see something that could be better,’” Gillespie said. “People who were on the lake every day were the first to say, ‘We think there is a problem here.’ The people who saw it first and stuck to it to the very end are the people we should be applauding.”
The Lake and Pond Heroes series does just that, promoting preservation and restoration.
To see the video, go here:
