Friends of Lake Leelanau

Good Stewardship Practices to Protect our Lake


 www.lakeleelau.org

The Concept: The first principal of Stewardship is to leave the land and water in better condition than you find it. If each of us takes action now to protect our small part of the Lake Leelanau Watershed, together, we can make a real difference and keep our lake clean and healthy for our enjoyment now, and for future generations.   

How it Works: Below is a list of identified good stewardship practices. Please review them. If you can identify 10 out of the 17 practices that you already do, or intend to begin, you are eligible to become a friend of Lake Leelanau.   Just check that you agree to follow these practices and electronically SUBMIT this form. 

In return for your commitment, you will be recognized in our newsletter, receive a certificate of participation, and have Friend-level permissions on the online Lake Association Discussion Forums.  You will also have the option of purchasing a beautiful plaque or windsock that identifies you as a FRIEND OF LAKE LEELANAU.  Most importantly, you will know that you are doing what you can to protect our beautiful lake. 

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*Name:

*Street:      *City:

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Comments:

I would like to receive information to help me get started with the practices checked above.

I would like to become a FRIEND OF LAKE LEELANAU and agree to participate in at least 10 of the activities below:

  1. Understand and care for my septic (or other) waste treatment system.
  2. Use a 4-stroke outboard engine versus 2-stroke for boating recreation.
  3. Maintain a shoreline buffer strip of vegetation, preferably native.
  4. If I must fertilize I will use a low phosphate fertilizer, and not fertilize twenty feet from the shoreline.
  5. Will not put leaves, household chemicals, or other foreign materials into the lake
  6. Landscape property so that stormwater soaks into the soil and does not run directly into the lake.
  7. Use lake water (a natural nutrient source) to water lawns and gardens.
  8. Preserve wetland areas of my property and maximize native vegetation to protect water quality. wildlife habitat, and the aesthetics of the lake.
  9. Speak out to local governments when their actions (or inactions) may affect the lake.
  10. Subscribe to the Michigan Riparian to learn of matters affecting Michigan lakes.
  11. Contact a Land Protection Specialist at Leelanau Conservancy to discuss conservation options for my property.
  12. Set up a compost system for organic waste.
  13. Establish shoreline stabilization with the use of rip-rap (or other acceptable methods) to control erosion.
  14. Respect speed limits, no wake zones, and other water safety regulations.
  15. Take precautions to eliminate hitchhiker species (such as zebra mussels) when moving my boat from one lake to another.
  16. Support my lake association by membership and volunteer assistance.
  17. Support the Leelanau Conservancy which is our partner in protecting the Lake Leelanau Watershed.

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