Become a MI Shoreland Steward for the Good of the Lake.
Share your Shore with the fish and wildlife that call the lakeshore home.
Share your Shore with the fish and wildlife that call the lakeshore home.
The Michigan Shoreland Stewards Program is designed to:
- Provide recognition for inland lake property owners using best management practices to protect their lake.
- Encourage inland lake property owners to use natural shoreland landscaping techniques and erosion control.
- Provide educational resources to help manage a property for a healthy lake
The Rate Your Shore Survey is currently unavailable.
Our Program is 10 years old! And with that age, comes an outdated web platform/coding. We are in the process of upgrading our site and it will soon be available. For anyone who has previously taken the survey, your information is not lost but may take a bit more time to transition to the new site.
Our Program is 10 years old! And with that age, comes an outdated web platform/coding. We are in the process of upgrading our site and it will soon be available. For anyone who has previously taken the survey, your information is not lost but may take a bit more time to transition to the new site.
The MI Shoreland Stewards Program "Rate Your Shore" Evaluation
- The "Rate Your Shore" Evaluation Survey is a free, online assessment. It walks you through questions about the physical aspects of your lakefront property, as well as how you manage it.
- Questions are set up by property zone: Upland, Buffer, Shoreline and Lake Zones.
This survey is dynamic
This survey is designed to be easily viewed on a smart phone or tablet so you can walk your property while answering questions. Your answers may lead you to different questions and ultimately a custom score. Many questions include helpful links to additional information and clarifying images. You can click on these images to expand them for easier viewing.
Rate your shore results
Different Levels:
Your results will help you understand the property's management rating. The Michigan Shoreland Stewards has four levels Gold, Silver, Bronze or Starter. Properties that receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze rating have the option to receive a sign. Disclaimer: not all properties will qualify for one of these 3 levels. Many properties are already too overdeveloped to able to qualify. Our goal is to help keep remaining properties from being overdeveloped.
Recommendations:
At the end of the survey you can print off your results. You will also receive some general recommendations for where improvements can be made. Some recommendations may say "keep doing what you are doing". Others may say "hey, you need more trees and plants". Many recommendations will also provide you with resources on where to go to get started.
Make Improvements:
Some properties may not initially qualify but have the space for necessary improvements. Or you may get a Bronze Rating and want to make some improvements to try to get to the Silver Level. Once improvements are made you can take the survey again.
Your results will help you understand the property's management rating. The Michigan Shoreland Stewards has four levels Gold, Silver, Bronze or Starter. Properties that receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze rating have the option to receive a sign. Disclaimer: not all properties will qualify for one of these 3 levels. Many properties are already too overdeveloped to able to qualify. Our goal is to help keep remaining properties from being overdeveloped.
Recommendations:
At the end of the survey you can print off your results. You will also receive some general recommendations for where improvements can be made. Some recommendations may say "keep doing what you are doing". Others may say "hey, you need more trees and plants". Many recommendations will also provide you with resources on where to go to get started.
Make Improvements:
Some properties may not initially qualify but have the space for necessary improvements. Or you may get a Bronze Rating and want to make some improvements to try to get to the Silver Level. Once improvements are made you can take the survey again.
What happens to my information?
Using this survey is entirely voluntary! Users do have the option to submit their results anonymously, which means your survey results are not tied to your contact information. Please note that choosing to share this information can be beneficial as many lake organizations offer assistance to waterfront property owners. Individual responses are not shared. Responses will not be used for regulatory purposes, no matter how the user decides to complete the Shoreland Stewards "Rate Your Shore" Survey.
Find out if your Property Qualifies
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Download the Program GuideThe Program Guide provides insight on the survey, healthy lakeshores, and best management practices.
Note: this Guidebook has not yet been updated for the new site but most of it is still relevant. 
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Receive a SignMichigan Shoreland Steward signs are available for lakefront properties that qualify through the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association (an MNSP partner)
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Watch
Shoreland Stewards Program Video Series
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Want to help your lake more?
Become a Shoreland Stewards Ambassador and help spread the word about the program and healthy lakeshores. Information and Training materials and other information resources. |
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Share the Shore
Graphics by Kristen Faasse for MNSP
Ask yourself "Do I really need all that lawn?"
You can create an aesthetically appealing lakefront landscape without great expanses of lawn and still provide lake access, relaxing and entertaining areas for your enjoyment.
You can create an aesthetically appealing lakefront landscape without great expanses of lawn and still provide lake access, relaxing and entertaining areas for your enjoyment.
Which one is your property?
Welcome Geese!This property offers very little habitat, is unprotected from erosion and attracts geese.
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Sharing the ShoreThis property is sharing the shore and yet still has some lawn.
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Sharing the Shore More!This property is sharing the shore more and still offers relaxing and playing options.
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"Reshore the Shore"Every lakefront lot that has a lawn has the potential to have some native vegetation added back. This is going to look different for every property. Big or small - every property can have some native vegetation restored. There are many ways to be creative! Identify your priorities and create a plan.
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"Not everyone can do everything but everyone can do something"