If you own property on Joslin, South, Bruin Blind or Halfmoon or Bass lakes, come learn what you can do to monitor your lake’s water quality and best protect it using lake-friendly practices on your property. Invest in your lake’s future health.
Meeting Info and SignupDownload the meeting flyer to share with neighbors and friends.
HRWC’s Healthy Lakes Initiative aims to support lake residents and neighbors in actively promoting lake health by protecting and restoring natural shorelands, managing upland landscapes for water quality, and monitoring water quality to track changes in lake health over time.
Thanks to the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership (MGLP), the initiative has funding to work with residents and neighbors on Bruin, Blind, South, Joslin, and Halfmoon lakes in Washtenaw County and on Bass Lake in Livingston County.
Please sign up for email updates about HRWC’s Healthy Lakes Initiative, including upcoming community meetings! You can let us know your specific interests (volunteer monitoring, becoming a shoreland steward and/or protecting natural shorelands) in the comments field.
Sign up for project updates!HRWC is looking for volunteers to participate in the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) for our six project lakes. CLMP is a statewide program that provides volunteers with materials and training to monitor various water quality parameters and track lake health overtime.
If you would like to learn more about CLMP or become a volunteer, fill out our Healthy Lakes Contact Form and let us know in the comments that you’re interested in water quality monitoring.
Healthy Lakes Contact FormLearn how to manage your lakefront property for a healthy lake! Register for a free account with the Michigan Shorelands Stewards Program (MiSS) and take the Shoreland Stewards Survey. Rating your shoreland will show you how even small improvements to your property can benefit your lake’s water quality, even if you have a seawall or modified shoreline!
HRWC has created MiSS “Lake Association” pages for each of our six project lakes. When you register at MiSS, choose your lake in the Lake Association drop-down box.
HRWC staff will support interested lakefront property owners in interpreting their survey results. Fill out our Healthy Lakes Contact Form and let us know in the comments that you want help with survey results.
Healthy Lakes Contact FormHRWC will conduct ecological field assessments on natural shoreland properties (forests and wetlands) on or near our six project lakes, for free! HRWC’s Natural Areas Assessment Program offers field assessments for landowners interested in learning more about the plants, animals, and natural features on your property. Field assessments also offer a starting point for landowners interested in pursuing management or conservation options for their land.
If you are interested in a field assessment of the natural areas on your property, fill out our Healthy Lakes Contact Form and let us know that you’re interested in a field assessment.
Healthy Lakes Contact FormNatural shorelands are critical for healthy lakes. Existing natural areas – wetlands and forests – create important habitat for wildlife, filter pollutants, and infiltrate surface water.
In developed areas, managing our uplands to minimize overland runoff, reducing impervious surfaces, and constructing “living” shorelines of native plants and natural materials are all ways that we can work to restore natural shorelands and protect water quality.
As a shoreland property owner, you have a special opportunity to help your lake stay clean and healthy for both you and your community.
Thank you for doing your part to protect inland lakes!
