Who We Are
We are a passionate community united by our deep commitment to preserving and protecting Little Lake Butte Des Morts for current and future generations. Our membership spans the communities surrounding the lake—Neenah, Menasha, Fox Crossing, and extending to Grand Chute and Appleton—bringing together fishermen and boaters, families building lifelong memories on these shores, business owners who depend on the lake’s vitality, and retirees enjoying this special place.
In November 2025, we formally established the Little Lake Butte Des Morts Lake Association, Inc., transforming months of collaborative effort into an official nonprofit organization. What began as individual concerns about water quality and lake conditions has evolved into a structured, qualified lake association positioned to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
READ: The Beginning: How a Water Quality Study Sparked a Community Movement
Why This Association Matters
Little Lake Butte Des Morts stands at a pivotal moment. While our lake remains a treasured recreational resource, coordinated, sustained action is essential to address the challenges we face:
Water Quality: Algae blooms and nutrient loading affect recreational use and ecosystem health, threatening the ecological balance we’re working to protect.
Invasive Species: Aquatic invasive plants require ongoing monitoring and strategic control to prevent further degradation.
Fragmented Voices: Individual concerns struggle to gain traction with municipalities and regulatory agencies—but an organized association commands attention and respect.
Untapped Opportunity: Wisconsin allocates over $6 million annually in surface water grants. As individuals, we cannot access these resources. As a qualified lake association, we unlock eligibility for lake planning grants, implementation projects, aquatic invasive species control funding, and water quality improvements.
The Power of Collective Action
Forming a qualified lake association transforms our capacity to protect the lake we love:
Access to Grant Funding
Wisconsin’s surface water grant programs provide critical resources for lake improvement—but only to organized, qualified associations. This funding opens doors to projects that individual efforts cannot accomplish.
A Unified Voice
Rather than scattered individual voices, municipalities and regulatory agencies now engage with us as a recognized stakeholder with governance structure, accountability, and legitimacy.
Property Value Protection
Coordinated, professional lake management protects and enhances the substantial investment our community has made in lakefront and lake-adjacent properties.
Cross-Municipal Collaboration
We’re proving that waterways don’t respect municipal boundaries. By bringing together neighbors regardless of which city or village they call home, we’re building a stronger, more resilient community.
Our Commitment to Excellence
We’ve taken deliberate steps to build this organization right from the start:
- Proper Governance: Bylaws developed to meet Wisconsin DNR requirements for qualified lake associations
- Diverse Expertise: Board members recruited for technical, legal, financial, and communications expertise
- Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement: Representatives and input from all communities we serve
- Long-Term Sustainability: Realistic budgets, achievable goals, and financial partnerships with participating municipalities
Our Vision
We envision Little Lake Butte Des Morts as a model for community-driven lake stewardship—a place where multiple municipalities work together seamlessly, where residents have a genuine voice in their waterfront future, and where strategic investments in water quality create lasting benefits for generations to come.
The lake brought us here. Protecting it keeps us together.
Get Involved
Membership is open to anyone who shares our commitment to this lake. Whether you’re a longtime resident, a property owner, a business stakeholder, or simply a lake lover, there’s a place for you.
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