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Our lakes, streams, forests, and open spaces are more than scenery — they are the heart of our community. They shape our memories, our traditions, and the quality of life we treasure here.

 

But protecting these natural resources does not happen by chance. It takes planning, stewardship, and the commitment of people who care deeply about the future of this watershed.

 

The Greater Culver Lake Watershed Conservation Foundation (GCLWCF) was created to ensure that the beauty and ecological health of this area endure for generations to come. Our mission focuses on three critical areas:

 

Preserving the Land

We are working toward an ambitious goal of preserving 500 acres of land by 2035. Protecting open space safeguards wildlife habitat, prevents overdevelopment, and helps maintain the natural landscape that makes this region so unique. While most of the money to fund land acquisitions comes from grants, your donations are needed to fund the following:

 

• Legal & Consulting Fees

• Property surveys & appraisals

• Environmental assessments

• Maintenance of land we have already preserved (i.e. the golf course)

 

Protecting Our Water

Clean water is essential to the health of Culver Lake, Lake Owassa, Culver Brook, and the Paulinskill River. Through stormwater management projects, phosphorus reduction efforts, and innovative water-quality initiatives, we are actively working to reduce harmful pollution and prevent algae blooms.

 

Stormwater Management

Currently, the Foundation works with Frankford Township to manage stormwater. The Foundation identifies problematic stormwater run-off areas which contribute phosphorus laden sediment into our water ways. We pass that information onto the Frankford Township Department of Public Works. Your donations will help fund the following:

 

• Scour-hole construction & maintenance

• Catch-basin in heavy flow areas (i.e. Park Street & Fern Street)

• Insert filters in storm drains

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Waste Water Management

While you might not think that septic systems impact our water quality, even new state of the art systems rely on soil in the leach field to removal phosphorus which is not retained in the septic. But soil has a limited capacity to retain

 

phosphorus. Once soil capacity is exhausted, phosphorus readily moves from the soil to groundwater. Once in the groundwater it travels to our lakes and streams. The Foundation has been working with outside vendors to encourage the use of septic system enhancements through the installation of wastewater conditioning systems.

 

• To encourage the use of this technology your donation will be used to offset the cost to families who wish to install the wastewater conditioning system to their existing septic systems.

 

 

Educating and Engaging Our Community

Lasting conservation happens when people understand and care about the environment around them. Through outreach, events, and stewardship programs, we are building a community that is committed to protecting these natural resources.

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To achieve these goals the Foundation needs to raise

$150,000 per year for the next 5 years.

Please consider donating today and becoming a partner in preserving the natural beauty of the Culver Lake watershed.

Together, we can ensure that the forests, lakes, and streams that define this community remain protected for our children and grandchildren.

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With gratitude,

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The Greater Culver Lake Watershed Conservation Foundation

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To learn more or make a contribution, please visit: GCLWCF.org  or contact Henry McNamara at Henry.McNamara60@gmail.com