“The (Lake Steward) program has spread to dozens more lakes across Minnesota. Supporters view it as part of a strategy to help change societal norms and expectations around lakeshore development, and help slow the loss of natural shoreline that protects lakes from pollution.” – Kirsti Marohn, MPR
Minnesota’s lakeshores are disappearing at an alarming rate—over 50% of our natural shoreline has already been lost. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a profound shift that’s quietly but significantly reshaping the very identity of our lakes. Increased development, changing societal norms, and outdated regulations that haven’t been updated since 1989 are all contributing to this crisis, bringing devastating ecological impacts in their wake.
This summer, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) reporter Kirsti Marohn spotlighted this critical issue in her series Trouble by the Water: Minnesota’s Vanishing Lakeshores.
Here are the key articles from the series:
- Unchecked development, lax regulation push Minnesota lakeshores to the edge: Explores how current policies and unchecked development are endangering our natural shorelines.
- ‘Quit mowing’: Turning Minnesota lake homeowners into shoreline stewards, one lawn at a time: Highlights the efforts to encourage homeowners to adopt natural shoreline practices.
- In NW Wisconsin, a county finds paying homeowners to keep shorelines natural pays off: A look at a successful model from Wisconsin that incentivizes natural shoreline maintenance.
- 10 key data points and graphs about loss of shoreline on Minnesota’s lakes: Visualizes the scale of shoreline loss and its implications.
- On Cross Lake, loons make the case for protecting Minnesota’s wild shores: Showcases how wildlife, like loons, depend on natural shorelines for survival.
Marohn’s in-depth coverage revealed how unchecked development and lax regulation have pushed Minnesota’s lakeshores to the brink. But she also highlighted the solutions that can help reverse this trend—solutions that are within our reach.
One such solution is MLR’s Lake Steward program, which we’ve diligently expanded to dozens of lakes across Minnesota. This program is more than just an initiative—it’s a movement to transform how we think about and care for our lakeshores.
Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates (MLR) Executive Director Jeff Forester and Chain of Gull Lakes Lake Steward Co-Chair Dorothy Whitmer also joined MPR News host Angela Davis to discuss this growing crisis on the airwaves. They offered listeners valuable insight into how development pressures and outdated rules have driven this ecological shift—and, more importantly, what individuals and lake associations can do to reverse it.
Listen to the interview here:
At MLR, we’re not just talking about the issue—we’re empowering people to take action. Through initiatives like the Lake Steward program and resources such as our Shoreland Guide to Lake Stewardship, we’re helping Minnesotans restore their shorelines, protect vital habitats, and contribute to the health of our beloved lakes.
Now is the time to act. Listen to the MPR segment to learn more about how we can work together to protect Minnesota’s lakeshores and take the first step in restoring the natural beauty and resilience of our shorelines.
