Natural Shorelines

Why Natural Shorelines? Michigan's inland lakes need them!

The loss of natural shorelines is the biggest threat to the overall health of Michigan Lakes

 The National Lake Assessment  (NLA) results indicate that inland lakes across the nation need better care. Overall, the water quality in Michigan's inland lakes is really good.  However, the Michigan results of the National Lake Assessment indicate that by far, lakeshore habitat and physical lakeshore complexity are major stressors for Michigan lakes with over 50% having poor lake habitat complexity.  This means our lakes are losing too much natural vegetation both on the land and in the water. (MI Natural Shoreline Partnership)

MSU Extension Smart Gardening for Shorelines Tip Sheets

MI Shoreland Stewards Program

The MI Shoreland Stewards Survey asks questions related to management practices in each of the four zones of your shoreland property: Upland, Buffer, Shoreline and Lake. It should take approximately 30 minutes. Take the survey and see if your property qualifies!

 

Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership

Part 1 of "The Saga of the Maligned Aquatic Plants" - Think those are just pesky "weeds" at your lakeshore? Maybe this short clip will help you think a bit differently about the amazing role aquatic...

 

Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership

Part 2 of "What happens when waves hit a seawall?" - Another sneak peek at a snippet of our Shoreland Stewards video series. Thanks again to a grant from DEQ to Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council for...