The goal of the Wisconsin Healthy Lakes Initiatives is to protect and improve the health of our lakes by increasing lakeshore property owner participation in habitat restoration and runoff and erosion control projects.

The State of Vermont Lake Wise program has a very good shoreland best management practices web site. Within the web site is an article on no mow zones. Although the web site contains other best management practices the Vermont shoreland regulations are not consistent Wisconsin shoreland regulation.

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Suggested Native Plant Web Sites:

Wisconsin Healthy Lakes Program 
Native plantings include grasses and wildflowers with shrubs and trees. Choose one of the six native plant options provided.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – Restore Your Shore – Plant Guide 

• Create your own plant list from nearly 400 native plants (photos included!). Select natives suitable for planting in your area. Find out what to plant and what not to plant.
• Select Pine County when requested to select a county when searching for specific plants.

Grant assistance web sites:

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 

• The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources can help with Healthy Lakes Grants. Any eligible applicant can apply for these grants. Please note DNR cannot provide Healthy Lakes funding directly to individual lakeshore property owners. The grants provide up to $1,000 per Best Practice and up to $25,000 for an eligible applicant applying on behalf of multiple property owners.
• Eligible Healthy Lakes grant sponsors include qualified lake associations, lake districts, qualified non-profit conservation organizations, and local governmental units like counties, cities, villages, and towns. Individual property owners are not eligible grant sponsors, but any of the eligible partner groups could apply on their behalf.

The Oneida County Land and Water Conservation Department

• The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (WDATCP) provides the cost share grant monies for this program.
• Administered by Oneida County LWCD, this program offers a cost share incentive for landowners who wish to restore native habitat to their land. Landowners can be reimbursed up to 50% or $8,000.00 (whichever is less), for the cost of purchasing and planting native trees, shrubs, plants, or other practices covered under the cost share program. Eligibility and priority are based on water quality protection. Oneida County’s emphasis is on shoreland restoration and erosion protection.

Michigan – Natural Shorelines: Living in Harmony at the Water’s Edge 

Sabastian the Goose encourages natural shorelines – Fun video

Larry the All-American Bullfrog – a friendly message to share with you about the ponds in which he and his family live. But don’t take him for granted, he is a little concerned about his home and wants to share with you his concerns. – Fun Video 

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