Lake Steward Program
Are you a shoreline owner looking to enhance your lakeshore habitat?
'Lake Steward' is a voluntary program that empowers shoreline landowners to implement high-quality, naturally vegetated buffers that protect water quality within a watershed.
Leave a little for the lake!
It's Our Responsibility
Stewardship (noun):
the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices to enhance ecosystem resilience and human well-being
Resources for Aspiring Stewards:
The goal of the Steward Program is to change the social norms of 'lake-life' by promoting native, natural shorelines and buffers.
By recognizing shoreline properties that 'leave a little for the lake', we hope to empower additional landowners to implement natural buffers.
Through the Steward Program, shoreline owners can evaluate their properties for existing practices that work toward improving water quality. If your property is 'leaving a little for the lake', an SWCD representative will present you with a 'Lake Steward' sign to attach to your dock!
If a shoreline owner evaluates their property and realize they could use some assistance in reaching Steward status, we can help!
The Buffer Zone
A shoreland buffer is a naturally vegetated strip of land, located between the water's edge and the land uphill. A shoreland buffer can be a mix of native aquatic plants, grasses, wildflowers, and/or shrubs and trees.
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Minnesota's natural shorelines are vanishing! Roughly 40-50% of MN's natural shorelines remain undeveloped.
Benefits of Native Shoreline
A native shoreline offers a host of benefits! The deep roots of native plants filter pollutants, improve water quality, and prevent shoreline erosion. Native plants also provide essential habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. They absorb + filter stormwater to reduce flooding + prevent pollutants from entering the water.
Let's Do This!
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Plant trees along your shoreline
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Maintain an un-mowed shoreline protection zone (~10 ft)!
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Install a native plant buffer for shoreline stabilization!
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Reduce fertilizer and outdoor salt use!
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Properly dispose of pet waste!
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Install a rain garden for filtering stormwater!