WOPWA was founded in 1973 by Mary Perry for the purpose of promoting conservation of natural and fragile areas around the pond and its watershed that at the time were not adequately covered by the Squam Lakes Association (SLA). During this time, there was a new wave of development happening in the region, and local neighbors felt it was imperative to take action in order to protect the environmental well-being of the region. Throughout the years, WOPWA has remained committed to important community issues such as preservation of water quality and weed-watching, concern about pilot training flights over the lake, dam rights, operations and draw-downs, wetlands and wildlife preservation through the enlistment of conservation organizations and land trusts in limiting development, and the general unification / sense of community of area residents. Below, you will find historical meeting minutes and official WOPWA documents.