ABOUT THE SPIRIT LAKE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION

The precise date of the founding of the Spirit Lake Protective association is unknown; however according to archived news reports, the SLPA was a major player in the purchase of twelve acres of land for the Mini Wakan park in 1933. The Association filed restated articles of incorporation in Dickinson County, Iowa, on July 2, 1959. Over the years, the organization has carried on activities consistent with its mission. Currently, the association has 340 members and 13 committees dedicated to specific projects. Over the past few years, the Spirit Lake Protective Association has been responsible for several projects aimed at the preservation and improvement of Big Spirit and the surrounding areas. Some of these undertakings include:

• Contributing financial support to the Quality Water Testing program carried out by the Iowa Lakeside Lab
• Organizing volunteers for The Annual Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup to keep the lakeshore clean and attractive to residents and visitors.
• Contributing funds obtained by volunteers to inspect boats and trailers coming into the Iowa Great Lakes in an effort to control invasive species such as Zebra Mussels and Eurasian Watermilfoil for the Lakes Water Safety Council.
• Contracting barge operators for removal of the 50 safety buoys in the fall for the Department of Natural Resources.
• Providing a representative to the Clean Water Alliance to help develop strategies for the promotion of policies that improve water quality.
• Contributing  $10,000 to assist the City of Orleans to construct a storm water system in the southeast corner of Spirit Lake.
• Contributing $22,500 over a three-year period to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation to purchase 3,500 feet of lakeshore around Angler's Bay to protect the bulrushes and fish spawning area and to preserve the quality of the lake.
• Providing financial assistance to complete a recreational trail around Big Spirit Lake.
• Organizing and providing for the new barge for the Annual July 4th Fireworks over Big Spirit Lake.
• Mailing newsletters to all residents on the lake, featuring SLPA activities and environment-related articles.
• The Association supports and belongs to several different area organizations that are concerned with environmental and tourist issues such as low-impact development and environmental education issues..
• Organizing the Big Spirit Jamboree in 2007 to raise funds for the SLPA activities.
• Organizing the highly-successful Opry At The Sami Center for Performing Arts in January 2009 to raise funds for the restoration of the Mini Wakan State Park.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

Please join us in helping to protect one of our region’s most valuable and beloved assets: Big Spirit Lake. Your contribution is critical in maintaining the projects and programs listed above. The Spirit Lake Protective Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your donation is tax deductible.

Click here to download our membership form! (.doc 286k)