Welcome to Long Lake's Blog

I want to start off by saying greetings! If you are reading this, then you have logged on to Long Lake's new feature on the website our blog.
I am hoping to be able to use the blog as a way of getting current information out to all the users who come on this site and check out what is going on. With changes here at LLCC, it is not as easy to get out a newsletter as it once was and this will provide a vehicle to keep everyone updated as to what is going on here at the Center. I will try to put on weekly updates if there is new information to share with all of LLCC's followers.
As with any blog, if you are interested you will be able to sign and register on the blog to make comments or reply to recent posts put on. It is my hope this blog will allow a more interactive connection with LLCC and what is happening in the world of conservation and environmental education.

Long Lake recently just completed its annual summer camps with youth coming over a five week period to participate in the various camps we offer each year. All the youth attending enjoyed the different camps and I believe went away with a better appreciation for the natural world and conservation.

The Long Lake Conservation Foundation on August 15th, held its 5th annual Golf Tournament. The event was once more held at the Minnesota National Golf Course. A total of nine teams participated and enjoyed a beautiful day out on the course. The weather was sunny and cool making wonderful playing conditions. After the golf, all participants were treated to a very nice "build your own sandwich" buffet. Prizes were awarded to winning teams and each team had opportunities to win a variety of different prizes by participating in a variety of games and drawings at each golf hole. Along with this, a small silent auction was held and the foundation held their annual raffle for cash prizes. The Friends of Long Lake volunteers did a wonderful job of  helping run the event and many thanks go out to them. Overall, everyone had a wonderful time while raising over six thousand dollars to help support Long Lake Conservation Center. Long Lake Conservation Foundation will be hosting the 6th annual event next year, so if you are interested in participating please watch for updates here and on the website.

Long Lake has also been working in association with the Aitkin Soil and Water Conservation District, on a rain garden project here at the Center. We just recently had the rain garden formed and shaped and are now in the stages of planning what to plant in the garden to best take advantage of the water that will be collected. The rain garden will collect storm water run-off from surrounding paths, as well as run-off from the Marcum House dormitory. The goal is once the rain garden is done, to put on workshops for the public to come and see and learn how easy it is to build a rain garden themselves to help reduce erosion and better conserve our environment by taking advantage of that run-off.

As a final note, our school year program will soon be starting with some of our first schools arriving in early September. The staff here at LLCC are all looking forward to seeing the students and staff when they arrive to experience the wonders of Long Lake this fall. Until next time, Todd