Winter 2026 Newsletter
Members and Friends,
2025 saw a lot of transition for the Tacoma Lakes Association Board of Directors. The Board was fortunate to add 4 new members however 3 existing Directors resigned, including our long-time Treasurer. An interim Treasurer has been selected and we hope to have a permanent Treasurer soon. See Update of Board Directors & Officers for more details.
In good news, this past year saw a 20% increase in our membership reversing the downward trend of recent years. Donations remain strong, and our fundraising efforts are also trending upwards. Bottle donations at the Litchfield Transfer Station continue to grow annually. Our annual Doolin’s Pub membership event was a HUGE success again this past year with high attendance and donations. We also, for the first time ever mailed out a fall appeal letter which was well received generating over $3,000 in donations.
Our dedicated volunteer plant patrol team was once again out on the lakes searching for invasive plant species. We are all happy to report, despite a couple of scares, that the Tacoma’s remain free of invasive plants.
The boat inspection program in conjunction with the Watershed Friends inspected a record 2,020 boats at the Woodbury Pond boat launch. This boat launch is the 2nd busiest boat launch in the entire Cobbossee watershed, inspecting on average 3.5 boat per hour during the staffed inspector periods; a half day on Thursdays, and 12 hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer.
In the fall of 2025, the TLA board made a difficult decision. The Watershed Friends who have supported TLA for decades by providing training, and administering the Certified Boat Inspection program needed financial support. Recognizing the fact that we as a Board do not have the ability to provide those services, the Board voted to make a donation to help the Friends as they move to hire a full time Executive Director. This decision was reached after much discussion and with the acknowledgement that the Association has a long-term commitment to preserving our fiscal resources to be prepared to defend our lakes against invasives if needed.
We are excited about the future of TLA! We are in the process of evaluating several components of what we do, looking to better serve you, our members.
One last important thought; we remain in need of members who wish to become Board members. Please take time and consider if you would be willing to serve, and if you have interest, please contact myself or any other Board member for information. Thanks, and see you on the lakes in the spring!
Sincerely,
Jim Adams, President