stew·ard·ship noun
the job of supervising or taking care of something, such as an organization or property. “responsible stewardship of our public lands”
Get involved! Become a Lake Steward
Lake Stewards is a program of Minnesota Lakes and Rivers that supports lakefront property owners in protecting and restoring natural shorelines. Through simple actions like planting native vegetation and reducing runoff, participants help improve water quality and strengthen habitat for fish and wildlife.
Start by taking the “Are You a Lake Steward?” quiz to assess how your property impacts water quality. You’ll be connected with a trained Lake Steward Evaluator from your local lake association, a neighbor who knows your lake well. They’ll schedule a site visit to walk your property and offer personalized tips to restore habitat, reduce erosion, and manage runoff. If your property meets the criteria, you’ll proudly earn a Lake Steward sign—a visible symbol of your commitment to protecting Minnesota’s lakes for future generations.
Explore the 10 Tips to Lake Stewardship by Minnesota Lakes and River Advocates
Purchase the Shoreland Guide to Lake Stewardship to discover effective steps you can take to restore your shoreline. This guide offers tips that can filter up to 90% of runoff, helping to protect the health of our lakes!
Watch the Lake Steward Webinar to explore the critical issue of Minnesota’s vanishing natural shorelines and hear inspiring stories from diverse perspectives within the Lake Steward community.
How do I start a Lake Steward Program
The Lake Steward program is open to all Minnesota lake associations that are current members of Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates (MLR). To get started, each association needs just one or a few volunteers. These volunteers take part in a brief training session with our Lake Steward Coordinator, where they’ll learn how to use the shoreline evaluation tool and gain the essential skills to assess properties and support shoreline restoration efforts in their community.
If your Lake Association is interested in participating in the Lake Steward Program, please contact Lily Carr at lily@mnlakesandrivers.org.
Lake Stewards in the News
Native and Natural Bus Tour – Celebrating Lake Steward Success
MPR’s Trouble By the Water Series
- Unchecked development, lax regulation push Minnesota lakeshores to the edge
- ‘Quit mowing’: Turning Minnesota lake homeowners into shoreline stewards, one lawn at a time
- In NW Wisconsin, a county finds paying homeowners to keep shorelines natural pays off
- 10 key data points and graphs about loss of shoreline on Minnesota’s lakes
- On Cross Lake, loons make the case for protecting Minnesota’s wild shores
Douglas County – State of Our Lakes 2024
State of Water: How suburban home aesthetics are scarring Minnesota shorelines