10 THINGS YOU CAN DO!!
1. Become a Black Lake Steward
This one is easy! Simply register as a Black Laker at the MI Shoreland Steward's website,, take a simple, multiple-choice self assessment of your property, read through some feedback ideas, and make a plan for any changes you may decide to make. Key to the assessment of your property is your shoreline, and there are many ideas for sustainable strengthening of your shoreline against erosion. |
2. Become a Swimmer's Itch Spotter
Swimmer's Itch Spotters first learn how to identify Common Merganser broods; the birds that hosts the parasite that causes swimmer's itch. Then, the bird sightings are reported to our partner, Swimmers Itch Solutions, LLC so they can trap the birds and relocate them to waters that don't contain the second species in the exchange in the lifecycle of the parasite - a certain kind of snail. The relocation clears the lake of the parasite in the following year.
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3. Become an Invasive Species Preventer
There are some great tools and information sources to make it really easy for all of us become aware of and able to identify invasive species that show up on our properties and places we visit and to reduce the risk of them entering the lake via boats and trailers (the primary means of spreading aquatic invasive species). Join the team and our partner, Huron Pines Conservancy, to keep a sharp lookout, make positive identification, spread the word, gain property owner approval for removal. Help to save the bio-diversity of our area by stopping the spread of invasive species!!
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4. Become a Lake Level Ambassador
The common belief around our lake is that nature is the only determinant of our lake level. But our lake is dam controlled and there is more that the dam can do to improve upon their poor record of complying with circuit court orded lake levels for the winter and summer. Of particular concern is the spring period of heavy rains and rapid melting. As an ambassador, you can do citizen monitoring of lake level and head pond level at the dam to aid in our compliance efforts and you can help to spread the word bout how the Alverno Dam can do a better job of reducing the periods of time that our shorelines are exposed to high water at times of high winds, and moving ice in the spring. |
5. Become a Healthy Septic System Owner
If your Black Lake property is a second home, and even if it isn't, you may not completely understand how your septic system works and how to keep it healthy; what not to put down your drains, how to avoid flooding the system, how to avoid damaging the drainage features, and how often to pump it out. Michigan State University Extension and the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council offer a simple to understand method to keep your system functioning properly and preventing harm to the lake from bacteria that can cause illness and nutrients that can promote unnatural levels of algae and weeds. |
6. Become a Lake Ecology Master
Not everyone needs to a deep expert, but we do need a group of people to add content knowledge to our discussion and to see things that others may miss. Our partner, the MSU Extension has a six week online course that goes to just the right level of detail for non-scientists to understand the most important factors of waterfront living: habit, laws, shoreline, upland, nutrients - it's all there! Take the course and help lead the conversation about proper care for Black Lake! |
7. Become a Water Quality Investigator
Water Quality Investigators will help us with special projects like gathering observations on the Stoney Creek, entering them into our GIS/mapping system and offering the gathered data to experts with our partner at the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. This is for people that enjoy "field work" on the water!
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8. Become a Conservation Land-Use Advocate
Land Use Advocates will help us identify environmental assets like wetlands and special habitat features. They will work with our partner, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and others to interact with local government officials to make sure there are proper protections over them. They will also promote conservation easements and fits on priority properties with the help of our partners, The Little Traverse Conservancy and the Huron Pines Conservancy. |
9. Become a BLPS Beach Trustee
BLPS Beach Trustees talk to their neighbors about issues that they perceive on the lake and present the BLPS as a place to become part of the solution. We would like everyone on the lake to understand what a great opportunity they have to help protect and preserve our lake.
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10. Join Our Leadership Team
The leadership team of the BLPS makes sure our activities are impactful and rewarding for members. The team ensures that we get the most impact that we can from the effort and financial resources offered by our members. You decide how much time to put into it and what you get out of it. Give back to our community by serving in our Leadership Team!
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BLPS Members Preserve and Protect Black Lake
Most of the Black Lake Shoreline is private property. There is no government agency or non-profit group that is going to alter the impact that we, the vistors and property owners of the lake impose. It's up to all of us to commit to a conservation oriented culture. To devote ourselves to keeping Black Lack natural and healthy. All lakes "age" following a natural cycle, but only we can prevent accelerated aging due to harmful behaviors and decisions.
In addition to the 10 Actions above, you can help evolve our culture of conservation in the following ways:
- Post questions and opinions and be part of the conversation on Facebook
- Providing financial support at the DONATIONS page of the website. This page allows you to contribute either to an individual Program or to the General Fund that is shared among the greatest needs of all of our Programs. Note that the BLPS diligently pursues grant money for matching funds for our projects.
- Periodically visit the website to gain a deeper understanding of our Programs, to keep your membership current, to check on our calendar of events, and to learn of opportunities for volunteering
- If you have an idea, would like to join our leadership team, or you'd just like to meet one on one or with a group of friends and neighbors with one or more of the BLPS Leaders, go to the CONTACT page and let us know how we can help you.