Mary Blickenderfer, University of Minnesota Extension Service and Water Resources Center, (218) 327-4616

Nearly 30 shoreland property owners on Crooked and Portage Lakes (Crow Wing County) turned out for a pontoon tour of three shoreland projects installed last year. The Crooked-Portage Lake Association sponsored the tour – including on-board refreshments and free plants – to highlight the restoration projects and to inspire other shoreland owners to do the same. It worked! After property owners at two of the three sites discussed why they decided to restore their shoreline, the steps involved in installation, and maintenance needs, several on the tour expressed interest in restoring their shorelines next year.

Rose Puckett, a property owner and graduate of Extension’s shoreland revegetation program, designed and selected native plants for the three projects. When nearly 2,000 plants arrived on an owner’s doorstep last summer, 15 lake association volunteers assisted in getting the plants in the ground. The shoreland owners were responsible for watering and weeding their sites until the plants became established.

“We really love it!” said one property owner one year later. “The flowers are beautiful, and we learned a lot in the process.”

Assistance and funding for the three projects were provided by the Crow Wing County Water Plan, Mississippi Headwaters Board, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and University of Minnesota Extension. The Crooked-Portage Lake Association plans to apply for grants to help fund additional shoreland restoration projects in 2005.

Posted in Care of Shoreland Property |