Water, Water, Everywhere! A Message from Executive Director Mike Mullen

Dear Partners, Supporters and Friends of LNRP,

Twice a day I have a short commute from my home in Cedarburg to the LNRP office in beautiful Port Washington. In this short 9 mile commute I drive over Cedar Creek, Milwaukee River, Sauk Creek, and finally end my journey with a view of Lake Michigan! These four waterways have created communities, supported agriculture, provided recreation, are part of our history, and harbor countless insects, birds, mammals and reptiles. The watersheds they inhabit provide drinking water that sustains the day-to-day activities of thousands of people! How many waterways do you experience in your daily travels?

In my role as the new Executive Director of LNRP, I have the privilege of engaging an incredible staff, board, and 17 partner groups in preserving our local waterways, the land they flow through, and Lake Michigan! As we sail into our 3rd decade of furthering a land and water ethic in our lakeshore communities, we reflect on all the work that has been completed and look forward with optimism towards what is to come.

Navigating the successful work of 2023 has left LNRP in an amazing position for 2024 and the critical work that lies ahead! Working side by side with our partner groups, we strive to protect fragile natural resources, forge working relationships with agricultural communities, support practices that positively impact climate change, and control invasive species to promote habitat biodiversity. This critical work involves people, funding, resources and a whole lot of passion. In this role I’m fortunate to experience the work and people that have been integral to stewarding the lakeshore region for over two decades.

I look forward to crossing paths with many of you as we proceed in 2024. The work that we will accomplish together will support current and future generations of people who cross these same creeks, rivers, and lakes!

Please enjoy this Winter newsletter. On behalf of all of us here at LNRP, have a great new year and we’ll see you by the water.

All my best,

Mike Mullen
LNRP Executive Director