Getting involved
The Turtle Lake Chain Association is an enthusiastic and engaged group of people who share a love for our three-lake chain, a passion for maintaining its cleanliness and beauty, and an interest in promoting a vibrant community spirit among our lake friends and neighbors. We're dedicated to protecting our lakes from invasive species, maintaining our water quality , keeping our chain safe and welcoming, and getting together, getting to know each other, and having a lot of fun. We're NOT a political organization and don't take positions on anything beyond the quality of lakes and quality of life on the Turtle Chain.
TLCA membership has its benefits —
here's why you should join!
Why become a TLCA member? Here are just a few reasons (there's more where these came from):
KEEP YOUR LAKE LOOKING, FEELING AND FISHING GOOD!
The Turtle Chain is one of the cleanest, healthiest lakes in Wisconsin (as revealed in a comprehensive lake study conducted in 2017 - 2018). Whether you like to boat, fish, paddle, ski, wildlife-watch, swim, sunbathe or all of the above, it’s a beautiful place —and your membership helps keep it that way.
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MAKE A REAL, LASTING DIFFERENCE!
By taking advantage of our volunteer opportunities, and supporting our conservation endeavors with your membership dues, you make a tremendously positive impact on this very special place, help protect and maintain our water quality (and your property investment), and keep this aquatic jewel of the northwoods shining for generations to come!
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MEET YOUR LAKE NEIGHBORS (SOON TO BE KNOWN AS FRIENDS)!
We’ve got some wonderful people on the Chain (who occasionally throw some wonderful parties). The TLCA’s annual meeting, volunteer opportunities, July Fun Day events and social gatherings are great times to get to know fellow friends of our lakes — and make some great friendships along the way.
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PURPOSE WITHOUT POLITICS.
What could be more fun than joining your new TLCA friends for fun days, fishing tourneys, volunteering and assorted fun? How about doing it without any drama? Our purpose is protecting and preserving our lakes — not politics. We don’t take a stand on any issue that doesn’t directly impact our quality of water and quality of life on the lakes.
A GOOD CAUSE, AND A GOOD DEAL.
Joining up is a modest $60, which covers you for three years. All membership dues go towards funding our lake quality, conservation, reserve fund and membership communication efforts.
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Joining is easy — click on the link below!
Volunteer!
If you can spare a few minutes, there are worthwhile and fun ways of getting involved and contributing to the great quality of life we enjoy on the Chain. Please check this page for the latest opportunities to sign up and make a positive difference. Thank you!
TBD, 2022
2022 SPRING ROAD CLEAN-UP
Volunteers are needed to help keep our area looking wonderful, and many hands make quick work! We'll park on the gravel of Old O at the junction of New O and Old O. While our focus is County Highway O, if we have enough people, we can also send some to North Star Lake Road and work both sides of the road. Meeting time: 10:45; we should be done by noon. If the weather is awful, we will use Saturday as the rain date. High visibility vests and bags are provided. You may want to bring gloves. Use the button here to sign-up, and please call Laura Giffin with any questions. (920) 279-0182.
May 30, 2022 - October 18, 2022
2022 FLOWER BOX WATERING
Flower boxes on the bridge ("the divide") between North and South Turtle Lakes should be up around Memorial Day. We all love the life and color they provide to all who pass by, and your help is needed to keep them healthy as long as possible into the fall. We're asking for volunteers to sign up for one-week watering duty (you can sign up for as many weeks as you want!) between Memorial Day and mid-October. Please sign up using the button here - and thank you for your help!
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By keeping a sharp eye out while boating, fishing, kayaking, hiking along the shore, etc. The PDFs (below photo) can help you identify both good and invasive species, so feel free to download them and keep them handy! Secondly, you can also inspect boats for invasive species as they arrive at our boat landings. This volunteer work does require some basic instruction first; please watch this page and special emails from our president regarding upcoming sessions. Please use the CBCW Inspection Report form to record your time.
By keeping a sharp eye out while boating, fishing, kayaking, hiking along the shore, etc. The PDFs (below photo) can help you identify both good and invasive species, so feel free to download them and keep them handy! Secondly, you can also inspect boats for invasive species as they arrive at our boat landings. This volunteer work does require some basic instruction first; please watch this page and special emails from our president regarding upcoming sessions. Please use the CBCW Inspection Report form to record your time.
Ongoing!
INVASIVE SPECIES MONITORING
To help protect our chain against invasive species, print out the four PDFs in the NEWSSTAND section below (under "Invasive Species Guides") and keep them handy. Then keep a sharp eye out while boating, fishing, kayaking or hiking along the shore.
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Volunteer!
If you can spare a few minutes, there are worthwhile and fun ways of getting involved and contributing to the great quality of life we enjoy on the Chain. Please check this page for the latest opportunities to sign up and make a positive difference. Thank you!
Saturday, May 26, intersection of old Hwy O and new Hwy O
2025 SPRING ROAD CLEAN-UP
Volunteers are needed to help keep our area looking wonderful, and many hands make quick work! We'll park on the gravel of Old O at the junction of New O and Old O. While our focus is County Highway O, if we have enough people, we can also send some to North Star Lake Road and work both sides of the road. Meeting time: 9 am. High visibility vests and bags are provided. You may want to bring gloves. Use the button here to sign-up, and call Laura Giffin with any questions. (920) 279-0182.
May 25, 2025 - October 20, 2025
2025 FLOWER BOX WATERING
Flower boxes on the bridge ("the divide") between North and South Turtle Lakes should be up around Memorial Day. We all love the life and color they provide to all who pass by, and your help is needed to keep them healthy as long as possible into the fall. We're asking for volunteers to sign up for one-week watering duty (you can sign up for as many weeks as you want!) between Memorial Day and mid-October. Please sign up using the button here - and thank you for your help!
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Ongoing!
INVASIVE SPECIES MONITORING
To help protect our chain against invasive species, print out the four PDFs in the RESOURCES section below (under "Invasive Species Guides") and keep them handy. Then keep a sharp eye out while boating, fishing, kayaking or hiking along the shore.
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Ongoing!
INVASIVE SPECIES MONITORING - BOAT LAUNCHES
You can also inspect boats for invasive species as they arrive at our boat landings. This volunteer work does require some basic instruction first; please watch this page and special emails from our president regarding upcoming sessions. Please use the CBCW Inspection Report form (see "Volunteer Forms" in the RESOURCES section below) to record your time.
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Governance
The TLCA is governed by a three-member board and six lake representatives (two from each lake in the chain). Terms are two years in duration; elections are held as needed at the Annual Meeting. Current board members, representatives and their contact information are listed below. If you wish to run for a position, please notify Emil Bertalot or Laura Giffin at least one week before the Annual Meeting.
Susan Esslinger
Secretary, North Turtle Lake representative
Gary Engstrom
Rock Lake representative