August News from Friends of Lake MonroeBench for Cheryl Munson, Lake Monroe Day, Water Plant Tours, Updates
Bench Dedicated to Cheryl Munson
It has been over a year since we lost Cheryl Munson, a dedicated member of the Friends of Lake Monroe board alongside her many other contributions to Monroe County. We have sponsored a bench on the Limestone Greenway in her honor. The Limestone Greenway starts at the south end of the Clear Creek Trail. (You can also get there by heading south on the B-Line Trail and continuing straight onto the Bloomington Rail Trail). From the Church Lane Trailhead, the Limestone Greenway runs southwest for 1.7 miles along Clear Creek. The bench is located south of Dillman Road, about 600 feet before the trail ends. We hope many walkers and bikers will stop to rest and think fondly of Cheryl.
Septic Maintenance Cost-Share
Do you live in the Lake Monroe watershed? Do you have a septic system? Have you pumped it in the last 3-5 years? Pumping is an important part of system maintenance. We are now offering 50% cost-share on septic tank pumping throughout the watershed, which includes parts of Brown, Monroe, and Jackson Counties.
Failing septic systems are one source of bacteria and nutrient pollution in the creeks and streams feeding Lake Monroe. Homeowners can help by making sure their systems are properly maintained.
Come celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Friends of Lake Monroe! We will gather at The Fields Clubhouse on Sunday, September 13 to enjoy good company, live music from local band Frank Jones and the Undertones, and to look back at all we have accomplished over the last decade.
It's hard to believe it has been ten years! Some of our biggest accomplishments include:
Developing and publishing the Lake Monroe Watershed Management Plan
Hosting a Watershed Summit with representatives from 27 different stakeholder organizations
Organizing monthly shoreline cleanups at Paynetown for 9 years
Educating thousands about the importance of protecting Lake Monroe, including through two educational mailers sent directly to over 9,000 households
Running three septic system cost-share programs that together assisted 197 households with the cost of septic tank pumping
Hosting 9 educational workshops about soil and water conservation, forest management, and septic system maintenance.
Funding 8 soil and water conservation projects which included planting cover crops, fencing livestock from streams, and converting farmland to wildlife habitat.
Our continued success depends on supporters like you. Lake Monroe Day tickets are $35 for members, $40 for non-members, or $250 for a table of eight. Doors open at 6:00 with a cash bar and light appetizers available. Founder and Board President Sherry Mitchell-Bruker and Watershed Coordinator Maggie Sullivan will speak at 7:00 with music to follow at 7:30. Hope to see you there!
Not up for partying this year? Show your support by purchasing the “Introvert Special” - no ticket included.
Would your business like to be an event sponsor? Please contact event chair Lisa Townsend atlisat@friendsoflakemonroe.org for more information.
Brown County Commissioners Support Deam Wilderness Expansion
On July 15, Brown County Commissioners voted 2-1 to send a letter of support for reintroducing the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness Establishment Act in the 119th Congress.
This proposed federal legislation would expand the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area and create the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area in the Hoosier National Forest. Friends of Lake Monroe Board Member Christy Crandall attended the meeting to voice support for the legislation as a way to protect water quality in Lake Monroe.
The letter of support is headed to U.S. Senators Jim Banks and Todd Young and U.S. Representative Erin Houchin. The legislation was previously introduced by U.S. Senator Mike Braun in 2023 and 2024.
E. Coli at Paynetown
Did you know that Lake Monroe's beaches are monitored for both E. coli and blue-green algae when the beaches are open to the public? On Thursday August 6, the beach at Paynetown SRA was temporarily closed due to elevated E. coli levels. Further testing showed that the E. coli count was back to normal and the beach was reopened on Friday August 7. Fairfax remained open both days as sampling there did not show elevated levels of E. coli.
DNR staff post signs like the one shown here when the beaches are closed as well as updates at facebook.com/monroelake.
Kayak Trips with BBBS
We had a great time taking groups from Big Brothers Big Sisters out on the lake on June 28 and July 31. Kayaking is a great way to experience the lake (and its wildlife) up close and personal. Many thanks to Sassafras Audubon Society for sponsoring and IndiGo Birding for hosting!
Up for a challenging bike ride? Register for the 2026 Tour de Ramps, hosted by the Bloomington Bicycle Club on Saturday September 12 with proceeds benefiting the Friends of Lake Monroe. Take the "easy" 40-mile ride around the lake or challenge yourself with a 63-mile route that includes all ten boat ramps. Volunteers from FLM will be staffing the lunch stop at Cutright State Recreation Area. (Want to help? Contact Keith Bobay at volunteer@friendsoflakemonroe.org)
Many thanks to Walt Johnson for giving us a shout out on WFHB's Activate this spring! Walt is the manager of the Lake Monroe Sailing Association and a longtime supporter of Friends of Lake Monroe. Activate is a program on WFHB featuring 5-minute narratives about local nonprofits. While Walt was there to promote the sailing association, he also gave a plug for everyone to join the Friends of Lake Monroe to keep our lake fishable, swimmable, and drinkable. https://wfhb.org/activate-walt-johnson-lake-monroe-sailing-association/
Become a Member!
Friends of Lake Monroe depends on members like you to keep our organization strong. Join today to help us keep the lake drinkable, swimmable, and fishable. Individual membership is only $25 annually.
