Steps To Becoming A Black Lake Steward

The goal of the BLPS is to evolve a culture of awareness and caring about the decisions and habits that we, as users and property owners around the lake make that affect the health and sustainability of the pristine, natural lake experience that we share. The steps to becoming a BLPS "Black Lake Steward" are listed here and a full support toolset is provided below.

1. Take the Self Assessment Survey

Following in the footsteps of the Mullet Lake Area Preservation Society (MAPS), the Burt Lake Preservation Association (BLPA), and many other well cared for lakes in our state, the BLPS is offering to our members the Michigan Shoreland Steward’s self assessment. You can speed through the assessment in about 15 minutes, or you can read the supplemental information that gives you more understanding of why the questions are important and what can be done to improve your score.

You are given the option of registering on the site with a login id and password. Even if you register, the self assessment is a private tool, so only you will know how you score and what, if any, improvements you decide to make. The value of registering is that 1) you will be counted in the number of people for each lake that have taken the assessment, 2) you can save your information in the middle of the survey and come back to it later, and 3) you can retake the survey over time to see if your score improves, We'd like to track the use of this survey, so please register before beginning the survey.

Click Here to Go To the Self Assessment at the Michigan Shoreland Stewards Website

2. Report Your Completion of the Survey to BLPS Members

Click the button to enter the survey form. Click the blue icon on the map to choose your current location. You may choose to add a photo of your property, but that is optional. From the feature list on the last item of the survey, choose "Black Lake Steward". Don't forget to save your form, and thanks for taking the survey!

Enter The Eyes on the Lake Survey Form

3. Formulate Your Ideas for A Property Plan

Having gone through the self-assessment, you probably have many ideas of what you may like to do on your property. Here are some resources that can help inspire you as you plan your response. Revisit this page from time to time to see our current set of the best resources that members come across for sharing with others.

The pattern has repeated itself over and over again on lakes in Michigan and all over our country:

More cottages, bigger cottages
More lawn, more lawn treatment
More garages, pole barns, bigger garages, pole barns
More trees removed and not replanted
More driveways, roads, parking lots, asphalt, and concrete
More septic systems, aging septic systems
More boat launching that increases exposure to invasive weeds and mussels
More hardened shoreline, more seawalls

Over time, these changes have a compounding affect on shoreline erosion, stormwater pollution, and degradation of marine life habitat, and these changes are virtually irreversible. Each generation accepts a reduced profile of nature as a starting point and is willing to compromise from there. Our lake has managed to retain its natural character better than most, and we need to have the pride in our lake to continue this pattern of great lake stewardship.

The 10 minute video to the right is from the MSU Extension course on Lake Ecology and is one good source of inspiring ideas.

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Lakes and Their Shorelines Part 3

The negative impacts of impervious surfaces and potential solutions to stormwater management are discussed in this next video, as well as common signs of septic system failure and techniques used to reduce water consumption.

The following link takes you to a fun tool that gives you ideas about a broader look at how “green” your lifestyle is. These ideas are not tailored to lake living, but may be of interest to you.

https://www.greenmountainenergy.com/for-customers/eco-tips/

Respected Advocacy. Innovative Education. Sound Science.

At no cost to you, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council will arrange a visit from Jennifer Buchanan, an expert in shoreline design. Several BLPS members have called on Jennifer and have had very positive things to say about her knowledge and willingness to help. She will walk through your yard and your self assessment results (if you care to share them) and help you design practical, sustainable solutions for your property.

You can contact Jennifer at:
Jennifer Buchanan
Watershed Projects Director
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
P: (231) 347-1181
jen@watershedcouncil.org
www.watershedcouncil.org

4. Get Help Implementing Your Plans

Now that you have plans in place, you may like some resources to help with implementation. Here are a few. If you have additional ideas, please add them to the blog in Step 5.

If you are looking for Native Plantings for your yard, you may find this site helpful:

http://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/plants-for-inland-lakes.html

Before Shoreline Restoration

If you'd like to see where you could visit a demonstration site for a Natural Shoreline that won't cause erosion on your neighbor's property the way seawalls do, follow the link below:

http://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/demonstration-sites.html

If you have a lawn and are considering the use of fertilizers, you may choose to use a Soil Test Kit first to make sure you are nutrient deficient before you buy and apply. You can order a kit here:

http://shop.msu.edu/product_p/bulletin-e3154.htm
or here:
https://happydiyhome.com/soil-test-kit/

After Natural Shoreline Restoration

If you are looking for Volunteers to help you with shoreline planting, you can get some advice here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDPCPu-OcE0&feature=youtu.be

The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council has lots of resources to help you with Shoreline Protection and Vegetation. Learn more here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W8UBjGZp7o

5. Retake The Survey to Chart Your Progress

Have fun with this self assessment and after you've completed it, let us and other members know on our Facebook page that you did it and what you thought of it. And as you move around the state, be on alert to see these signs (shown below) to recognize others that have taken the self assessment in order to be well informed as they find their balance between the needs of their families and the needs of their lake.If you have registered at the Shoreland Stewardship website when you took the survey, you can revisit your answers at any time. This allows you to assess the impact of your actions and to gain a sense of satisfaction from your efforts. And, as if that weren't enough, the BLPS will create a drone video and set of photos of your property as a thank you for being a Super Steward!

Thanks for caring and becoming a Black Lake Shoreland Steward!