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  • Protecting the Lakes for over 100 years

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  • Protecting the Lakes for over 100 years

    1. ○
    2. ○
    3. ○
    4. ○

  • Protecting the Lakes for over 100 years

    1. ○
    2. ○
    3. ○
    4. ○

  • Protecting the Lakes for over 100 years

    1. ○
    2. ○
    3. ○
    4. ○
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OUR GOALS

  • Preventing invasive species
  • Preserving and protecting the wetlands in the Iowa Great Lakes watersheds
  • Participating in the control of lake developments to prevent environmental threats
  • Promoting sustainable urban and agricultural development that won’t upset the delicate ecological balance of the lakes and watershed
  • Informing the community of any concerns and actions that must be taken to act on those ecological concerns

LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

Check out our most recent newsletter! 

OPA Awarded Grant from Dickinson County Endowment Fund

Okoboji Protective Association was the recipient of a grant from Dickinson County Endowment Fund to support our "Keep Okoboji Beautiful" anti-littering campaign. This grant was used to purchase recyclable bins to place at area boat ramps and other area locations as well as reusable mesh trash bags that will be perfect to take on the boat in order to help keep trash out of our lakes. We are planning to roll these out in spring 2023.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Purchases Portion of East Okoboji Shoreline (The Narrows Preserve)

With the help of many generous donors, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) was able to purchase 50 acres directly north of Elinor Bedell State Park that includes 2,020 feet of natural shoreline. INHF is now the owner and manager of the property which will be preserved to protect wildlife, water quality, and the natural character of the Iowa Great Lakes. The property is now known as The Narrows Preserve.

Okoboji Protective Association had initially pledged $25,000 towards the project. During the final week of fundraising, we created a match challenge for our members, matching dollar for dollar up to $10,000 to donate to the project. Our members exceeded our expectations and donated and pledged a total of $98,075 in less than a week. With that money plus OPA's initial $25,000 plus an additional $10,000 from OPA after members met our challenge, we were able to generate a total of $133,075 to go towards the purchase of this portion of the East Okoboji shoreline. We are so grateful this property will be left in its natural state for generations to come.

Read HERE for more information.

Proposed Carbon Pipelines Through Dickinson County

There are two pipelines being proposed that would carry carbon dioxide through a portion of Dickinson County. It would extend a little more than 20 miles through the eastern part of the county. While the goal is to reduce carbon emissions from ethanol plants, some environmental groups still have their concerns. Resources can be found below and will be added to as we learn more: