Blue Heron Shoreland Stewardship Award Program
Recognizing and showcasing shoreland development excellence
Purpose
This award was established for a threefold purpose:
- 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,
- to inform lake property owners about the many ways that negative impacts of shoreline property development can be minimized, and
- to educate lake property owners about how important shoreline biodiversity is to the overall health of their lake.
Nominations
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?
Blue Heron Award Winners
2020
Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (VCLRA) awarded its Blue Heron Shoreland Stewardship Award to Debbie Millar of Ballard Lake for restoration completed on her lakefront property. This award was presented at our “Celebrate the Lakes Day” on July 10, 2020 via Zoom Conference Call. Congratulations to Debbie Millar!
2019
Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (VCLRA) awarded its Blue Heron Shoreland Stewardship Award at “Celebrate the Lakes Day” in July, 2019 at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. Our winner is The Town of Presque Isle for their restoration work at Wilderness Park on Presque Isle Lake. Receiving this award on behalf of the Town is Bob and Pat Barafsky.
2018
Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (VCLRA) awarded its Blue Heron Shoreland Stewardship Award at “Celebrate the Lakes Day” in June, 2018 at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. Our winners are Alice and Daniel Kramer of Meta Lake. In addition, Phoebe Spier and Eric Olsen of Moon Beach Camp accepted an Honorary Blue Heron Award on behalf of the organization for its work toward shoreline restoration on Moon Lake in Vilas County.
