Blue Heron Shoreland Stewardship Award

Recognizing and showcasing shoreland development excellence

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The Blue Heron Shoreland Stewardship Award Program recognizes lake property owners who champion strong lake stewardship principles in the development and use of their waterfront property to minimize environmental impacts. VCLRA makes these annual awards to generate awareness and educate lake property owners on the importance of shoreland stewardship by showcasing excellence in lake-friendly waterfront development.

Purpose

This award was established for a threefold purpose:

  1. to provide lake associations with the opportunity to nominate and recognize property owners on their lakes who have worked hard to maintain their shoreline property in a more natural state with minimal environmental impacts,
  2. to inform lake property owners about the many ways that negative impacts of shoreline property development can be minimized, and
  3. to educate lake property owners about how important shoreline biodiversity is to the overall health of their lake.

Nominations

Do you know someone who makes a conscious effort to preserve an outstanding natural shoreline? Nominate them for the Blue Heron Shoreline Stewardship Award using the online application form. If you prefer, you can also print and complete a mail-in application and send it to:

Vilas County Lakes & Rivers Association
P. O. Box 494
Eagle River, WI 54521

If you have any questions, contact Susan Knight at seknight@wisc.edu, 608-890-4722.

Shoreland Review Criteria

There are five shoreland areas that are considered for this award.

Driveway and parking scoring

Are driveway and parking areas kept to a minimum and is run-off from driveway and parking areas directed to a buffer area so erosion and lake contamination is minimized?

Structures and septic areas scoring

Is run-off from structures directed to a buffer area or rain garden and does the septic system (if present) appear to be functioning property?

Yard and recreation areas scoring

Is the yard and recreation area properly sloped to avoid erosion and direct water to a buffer area? Is the use of fertilizer minimal?

Shoreline area scoring

Does the shoreline area have a buffer that contains multiple tiers of vegetation? Is the buffer area maintained? Is the shoreline and lake access area stable?

Entire lot area scoring

Are impervious surfaces kept to a minimum? Is the percent of cleared area kept to a minimum? Are there paths or roads through undeveloped areas? Does exterior lighting have glare shields?