|
Dear Subscriber First Name, Happy May! And May is Membership month - it’s time to become a Paradox Lake Association member and to donate to the very valuable cause that it is to protect and preserve our beautiful Paradox Lake. Last year we explained that we needed an increase in donations of about 30% to support our work to control Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM), and we are very happy to say that many folks increased their contributions by that much and much more. This year we've already seen some very generous donations and we want you all to know how much we appreciate these increased donations. The donations allowed us to have our contract divers Aqualogic on the lake harvesting every weekday between Memorial Day and mid-August to supplement all of our volunteer work. Our plans for 2023, as we move into the 2nd year of our 3 year surge of activity to reduce the EWM population, include a similar amount of work with Aqualogic as well as a treatment of the most heavily infested areas with the herbicide ProcellaCOR. This will nearly double our EWM expenditures versus 2022, an increase of nearly $70,000. Our plan is for a similar level of expenditures in 2024, but then a significant reduction in the expenditures in 2025 and beyond after the EWM population has been reduced, to a level that can be supported by our historical levels of membership and fundraising. 2023 is a critical year for the EWM reduction efforts. If we have a funding shortfall, we will fully fund the ProcellaCOR treatment but cut back on hand harvesting. Unfortunately as a result, milfoil will most likely continue to spread in the untreated areas. We will then require additional work and funding next year and beyond. This could potentially lead to the EWM population expanding faster than all our efforts can keep up with. So what is our request? - Most members increased their donation levels last year in response to our planned effort. We ask that you once again consider how much further you can increase your contribution for this year. In 2022, our dues and contribution revenue was $38,000 (on average $195 per member/family). We are setting a goal to increase that amount by 15% to $44,000 (on average $220 per member/family). We are hopeful that you recognize the important work needed to control the EWM in the lake in 2023 and you will increase your contribution again this year. It's an ambitious request but we know you recognize the importance of turning back the population of EWM in Paradox Lake. To pay your annual membership dues and donate, please go to our website www.paradox-lake.com. Click on the pink bar at the top of the page to go to our new and improved Donate page, (or simply click here), to make a secure payment with your credit card. You will notice that the Donate page has been updated this year and has a different look. The minimum membership fee has been increased to $50 and you’ll see that we have added membership tiers, although you can still donate any amount you choose. You will get a donation confirmation receipt by email, which you can print for your records. We prefer that payments be made through the website, but if you would rather pay by check, you can print a membership form from the same page on the website and mail your completed form and payment to PLA, PO Box 45, Severance, NY 12872. The PLA is a 501c3 non-profit organization, so your contributions may be tax deductible. Thank you so much for your support, and we are confident that we can continue our work together to keep our Paradox Lake beautiful and healthy. Sincerely,
Bob Hauserman
President, PLA Board
|
