By Jeff Forester, MN Lakes and Rivers Advocates Executive Director What a summer! MLR staff and I have attended dozens of lake association meetings and lake events across the state. It has been a real pleasure to get to meet with you, attend your lake association meeting, learn first hand the challenges you face on… Read more »
Minnesota cabin ownership is a cherished family tradition for many, but rising property taxes threaten this legacy. With average owners earning around $58,000, these aren’t just wealthy families. Legislative dismissal of their concerns could lead to the destruction of natural shorelines and a loss of memories, necessitating advocacy for fairer tax policies.
How to Protect Your Property from Wildfire By Jeff Forester, Executive Director of MLR and author of Forest for the Trees, How Humans Shaped the Northwoods As smoke from wildfires in northern Minnesota fills our skies, my staff and I at Minnesota Lakes & Rivers have been thinking about the communities experiencing these impacts firsthand—communities… Read more »
By Sami Selter, Associate Executive Director, MN Lakes & Rivers The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Roundtable is where the state agency reports on progress for key projects and programs and facilitates discussions among leaders in Minnesota’s natural resources fields. Minnesota Lakes and Rivers (MLR) has represented lake groups at this event for years,… Read more »
by Dylan Kinny, MLR Development Coordinator Happy Holidays! As the season of generosity is upon us once again, there are big changes on the horizon when it comes to charitable giving and your taxes. The new federal tax law passed this summer (2025) will change how you choose your tax deductions and deduct charitable gifts… Read more »
In recent years, MLR has been at the forefront of one of the most visible—and divisive—changes on Minnesota’s lakes: the rise of wake boats and the growing popularity of wake surfing. As boating activity increased during the pandemic in 2020, MLR began hearing from members concerned about shoreline erosion, watercraft safety, water quality, and how… Read more »
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ annual Roundtable is where leaders get an update on progress and discuss priorities for the year ahead. This year, I had my first opportunity to attend, as well as present as a panelist at Roundtable—an event that Minnesota Lakes and Rivers has been participating in since 2011. The event’s… Read more »
By Lily Carr, Civic Leader and Program Coordinator, MLR In the midst of ever complex and contentious mining debates, the Emily Mine Information Group (EMIG) is making a case for the effectiveness of Civic Organizing as a method by which to inform and organize community members in a completely new way- not against mining, but… Read more »
Minnesota’s lakeshore communities are acutely aware of the threat aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose to the native ecology and the cultural enjoyment of our lakes and rivers. AIS is a recurring topic at lake association meetings, where members are actively managing infested waters, mobilizing volunteers, and sharing practical prevention strategies to protect their waters from… Read more »
In 2019 MLR began receiving reports that large wakes were creating conflicts among different lake users, eroding shoreline, and creating other problems. During the pandemic lake based recreation increased dramatically as did the sale of watercraft. Industry data shows that consumers gravitated to the ends of the boat spectrum. Sales of large, powerful watercraft like… Read more »