Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional (CNSP) Training

 The Certified Natural Shoreline Professional (CNSP) training was created to provide contractors and landscape professionals with the information and skills they need to design and implement lake healthy erosion control using natural materials and bio-engineering practices to protect Michigan's inland lakes. 

Need help finding a contractor?  Check out the CNSP Listing​ 

Benefits of becoming a CNSP

• An indication to potential clients that you provide lake-friendly shoreline management solutions.
• An opportunity to be listed on the CNSP Listing on the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership's website. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) will refer interested parties to this list.
• Qualifying participants receive a certificate that you can then post on your company's website to indicate CNSP status. ​

​Questions about the program? 
Contact: Erick Elgin  MSU Extension Water Resource Educator
 elgineri@anr.msu.edu   or call 231-928-1053. 

Certification Renewal: 
 After three years there is a $25 re-certification fee.  

​CNSP Renewal and Listing Contact:  
Lani VonTersch
Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association
517-381-0437    lani@mnla.org

About the Training and Certification Process

Certification

• To become a Certified Natural Shoreline Professional you must successfully complete all three of the Training Components: the in-class instruction, field exercise,and pass the certification exam to obtain initial certification.  
• Certification is valid for three years. 

Training Components:

1) Two Days of Classroom instruction includes topics on:

• Michigan lakes and problems associated with shoreline development
• Characteristics and benefits of natural shorelines
• Shoreline ecosystems, soils, and native plants
• Methods, techniques, and design of bioengineered shoreline erosion control
• Designing, monitoring, and maintaining a natural shoreline landscape
• Natural shoreline case studies
• Water law and shoreline development permits

2) One Day - Field exercise:  
Participants will gain experience by installing a natural shoreline landscape on an inland lake property.

3) Exam
An exam is given during the Field Day.

It was a beautiful day for the 2013 CNSP Field Day
 in Paw Paw on Maple Lake.  
Press play to watch the slide show


For more pictures of this site see the Demonstration Sites and our Facebook page for updates. 

Stay tuned for information on 
​ CNSP 2024
​​
​See the  Events Page for more information.

Please see the Training Page for other learning opportunities.