The Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership is proud to share two volumes of its Shoreline Living series, which provide examples of everyday shoreline property owners that dipped their toes into rehabilitating or protecting a natural shoreline.
Shoreline Living Vol. 1 
Shoreline Living Vol. 2
There’s something magical about spending time at a lake, whether you’re swimming, boating, fishing, or just sitting and listening to the lapping waves. There are simple steps property owners can take to keep their lakes clean and healthy for generations to come. The Shoreline Living series shares the examples of ordinary property owners who have done something extraordinary. Each is taking steps in their own way to do their part to care for the lake. From small steps to rehabilitate a relatively manicured property to protecting an almost fully forested and natural landscape, the articles within feature the efforts of people just like you.
Traditional lake landscaping practices – large expanses of lawn, seawalls, and removal of aquatic plants – may be harming thousands of Midwestern lakes. While the ordered beauty of a flawless yard has its appeal, it’s crucial to remember that lakes are living systems. What a lake’s wild creatures need are leafy shoreline edges with aquatic plants where they can feed, rest, and raise their young. What turtles and frogs need are natural shorelines where they can easily move from land to water and back again. What all lakes need is clean water to support the minnows, mayflies, and other tiny organisms that sustain life up and down the food chain.
Follow along with each of these property owners by clicking on their stories below
State Natural Shoreline Contacts
Want to learn more about natural shoreline programs in your state? Reach out to the contacts and programs below.
ILLINOIS
Program: Illinois Nonpoint Source Management
Program: Illinois Department of Natural Resources District Fisheries contacts
INDIANA
Program: Lake and River Enhancement Program
IOWA
Contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources District Fisheries Biologist for your area:
Spirit Lake District: 712-336-1840
Clear Lake District: 641-357-3517
Black Hawk Lake District: 712-657-2638
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Management website
MICHIGAN
Program: Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership
MINNESOTA
Program: Restore your Shore
Program: Forest Stewardship
NORTH DAKOTA
Program: Save Our Lakes Program
Program: Watershed Management Program
OHIO
Program: Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Water
Program: Soil and Water Conservation Districts
SOUTH DAKOTA
Contact: Jason Jungwirth, 605-223-7610, Jason.Jungwirth@state.sd.us
WISCONSIN
Program: Wisconsin Healthy Lakes Program
Website: www.Healthylakeswi.com
Resources for sharing
Please download, print, and share this publication
Print copies
Interested in getting printed copies? You can purchase both Volume 1 and Volume 2 at cost from the Wisconsin Extension Lakes Bookstore or print the documents below for free.
Shoreline Living Volume 1
• Low resolution version (12 MB)
• Web resolution version (26 MB)
• Professional print version (72 MB)
Shoreline Living Volume 1: Individual Chapters
• Landscaping to Keep Inland Lakes Alive and Beautiful (Intro) (Web | Print)
• Building with Nature on a Waterlogged Site (Web | Print)
• Native Plants Stand Fast to Protect the Shore (Web | Print)
• Wildly Civilized: Native Plants for the Well-Ordered Yard (Web | Print)
• For a Wild Life, Let Natives Bring Wildlife to You (Web | Print)
• On Blue Lake, a Light Touch Keeps the Landscape Wild (Web | Print)
• Learn More: State Natural Shoreline Contacts (Web | Print)
Shoreline Living Volume 2
• Low resolution version (6 MB)
• Web resolution version (34 MB)
• Professional print version (54 MB)
Shoreline Living Volume 2: Individual Chapters [Coming Soon]
• Landscaping with Nature (Intro) (Web | Print)
• Lawn Rangers No More: A Lake Yard Goes Native (Web | Print)
• A Lakeside Farm Preserves a Hunting Tradition (Web | Print)
• Fish Sticks in Lakes Help Put Fish on the Stringer (Web | Print)
• A Lakefront Preserved for the Ages (Web | Print)
• For Kids and Adults, Wild Wonders Abound on a Natural Shore (Web | Print)
• Learn More: State Natural Shoreline Contacts (Web | Print)
Pictures
• View, download, and use the pictures from Volume 1
Funding for this publication was provided through the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies as well as the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service