Lake Stewards
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Minnesota Lakes & Rivers - Protection & EducationUniting lakeshore homeowners in effective efforts to to restore natural shorelines and reduce runoff
$1,300
raised by 22 people
$20,000 goal
4 months left
Watch the 2024 Lake Steward Webinar
Explore how you can play an active role in protecting Minnesota’s lakes and shorelines. Learn from lake experts, including Lake Steward Coordinator Lily Carr, along with guest speakers DNR Research Specialist Paul Radomski, MPR’s Kirsti Mahron, Lake Steward and MLR Board Member Sue Henken-Thielen, and Shoreline Evaluator Steve Corbin. During this informative webinar, they will share valuable insights and hands-on approaches for improving lake health.
The Lake Steward program from Minnesota Lakes and Rivers (MLR) empowers a network of lake associations across the state to inspire lakeshore residents to actively combat erosion, manage runoff, and restore native habitats along their shorelines. This community-driven approach enables residents to play a direct role in preserving water quality and enhancing the natural beauty and resilience of their lakes.
With nearly 50% of our natural shorelines lost to development and degradation, the need for local action has never been more urgent. These shorelines serve as vital buffers, filtering pollutants, preventing flooding, and preserving the overall health of our lakes.
Lakeshore property owners are the first line of defense in reversing these impacts. By engaging them in the program, we foster a deeper understanding of how their actions can contribute to broader environmental solutions. Every property restored helps rebuild a healthier ecosystem, benefiting not only the lakes themselves but also the surrounding communities that rely on clean water for recreation, wildlife, and economic vitality.
Launched statewide in 2021, the Lake Steward Program has, in just three years, been adopted by 40 Lake Associations across Minnesota. These associations span both smaller lakes like Fox Lake in Detroit Lakes, MN, and larger communities such as the Gull Chain of Lakes in Nisswa, MN. Hundreds of lakeshore property owners have already earned Lake Steward status, and many more are taking incremental steps to meet our rigorous standards for shoreline management—standards designed to protect and preserve our lakes.
Your support will empower us to continue expanding and adapting the Lake Steward program to meet localized needs both in urban and rural settings, enhance the direct assistance provided by MLR’s Lake Steward Coordinator, and ensure the longevity of this impactful, neighbor-to-neighbor initiative. Currently, over 60% of Minnesota’s waterways are classified as impaired, yet many shoreline owners are unaware of how their land management practices affect lake health. We know, however, that they care deeply about preserving their investment and restoring water quality, wildlife habitat, and Minnesota’s lake heritage.
Through our program, we’re transforming lakefront property owners into stewards of their waterways, safeguarding these treasured resources for generations to come. Your support is essential to sustaining this mission for the long-term wellbeing of Minnesota’s waterways.
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