Van Vliet Hemlocks

July 2024

Dear Friend:

ANNUAL MEETING DATE – August 25, 4 PM at North Lakeland Discovery Center

Our annual meeting will have an excellent speaker this year. He is Ron Eckstein who is an expert on both old growth forests and eagles. Ron spent 36 years with the DNR and was a Wildlife Biologist in the Rhinelander office focused on forest habitat and wildlife. He has served on the Board of Wisconsin Greenfire and was Greenfire’s Board secretary. He is on the Board of the Northwoods Land Trust and is chair of the Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society’s Wildlife and Forests Conservation Committee – among other things. We are lucky to have him speak at our meeting.

Of course, our greater role is unchanged. We will continue to monitor Van Vliet Hemlocks to preserve and protect it, to work with DNR to manage it as an old growth forest, and to find the best ways to have our members and the general public enjoy it and learn about what makes it so special.

Unfortunately, we now have an invasion of garlic mustard which DNR staff has been working to control. That will be a substantial focus for the DNR staff going forward. Also, the Sugarbush Trail remains closed due to the hemp nettle infestation there. It is very important that all visitors use the boot brushes both before hiking and after – and avoid the Sugarbush Trail. The open trails are being monitored for invasive plants and DNR staff will be active there doing pulling.

There will be several hikes and a paddle with naturalists this year in the Van Vliet Hemlocks. Check with www.discoverycenter.net and then go to programs, program list and type in “Van Vliet” in the ‘Event Name’ field to see what is happening. Currently planned are a paddle on Van Vliet Lake on August 19th at 5:30; geology hike on September 7th; and fall hike on October 5th.

Watch our website https://discoverycenter.net/clubs/ and then click on Van Vliet Hemlocks for additional information during the coming year.

Our Board just concluded its Spring meeting. The organization is in excellent condition. It has a solid group of members, an excellent Board of Directors, good programming and is in good financial shape. Your support is important. We urge you to join us for our annual meeting.

The Annual Meeting will be at 4:00 PM on Sunday, August 25th at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in the Lodge Room. The meeting will be brief followed by the presentation from Ron Eckstein.

Again, we wish to thank the North Lakeland Discovery Center and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for our continuing very positive working relationships. Their support makes the Friends a much more successful organization.

Over the past several years our ongoing activities have cost approximately $3000 per year – which we are funding through annual contributions from members. We thank you for your support of our efforts and hope that you continue to enjoy and learn from this beautiful place.

Please renew your membership for 2024 (and thanks if you already have).  A membership form is enclosed for your convenience.

Sincerely,

FRIENDS OF VAN VLIET HEMLOCKS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Members: 
Eric Benn, Treasurer, Bob Berdan, Ed Brodsky, Al Drum, Secretary, Al Eschenbauch, Bob Horswill, Licia Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Tom Olson, President, Richard Phillips, Jenna Richardson, Phil Sobocinski, Vice President, Zach Wilson

Representatives/Liaisons:
Don Anderson, North Lakeland Discovery Center, Neil Brown, Van Vliet Lake Association, Beth Feind, Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources