Easily Assess the Health of Shoreland Properties
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invites all to use the Score My Shore tool from the Healthy Lakes & Rivers initiative.
Owning property along a Wisconsin lake or river comes with incredible rewards: peaceful views, wildlife sightings and time well spent on (and in) the water. It also comes with a sense of responsibility to steward the land that borders these waters to make sure future generations can also enjoy them.
Score My Shore is an easy-to-use online survey that helps users take a fresh look at their property. Users answer simple questions about what they see and do as they walk from their driveway and house (Upland Zone), through the nearshore area (Transition Zone) and look into the water (In-Water Zone).
One of the most helpful features is that the survey is dynamic. Users’ answers guide what comes next, so they get information tailored to their property. At the end, users receive a score ranging from “Entry” to “Protection” level, along with practical suggestions for improvements.
The survey then offers simple, often low-cost actions. Planting native vegetation, redirecting runoff or leaving natural features in place can help support fish, wildlife and water quality.
It’s important to recognize that no developed shore is perfect, which makes it difficult to score in the “Protection” category of the survey. Many properties already have homes, driveways or other hard surfaces close to the water. Strive for progress, not perfection.
Easy Ways To Give Back To Your Lake/River
No matter your score, keep these tips in mind to protect your nearby waters.
- Leave fallen trees in the water – they protect shorelines and provide habitat for fish, turtles, songbirds and more.
- Don’t mow – let the water’s edge grow and see what pops up (remove invasives).
- Skip the fertilizer – most soil does not need a boost.
- Protect existing natural areas.
- Redirect gutters/downspouts away from the waterbody.
Neighbors Make A Difference
Research consistently shows that land use and shoreland management on adjacent properties strongly influence water quality and habitat. When several neighboring properties add native plants or reduce mowing near the water, the benefits multiply. Together, those connected shorelines create habitat corridors for fish, frogs, turtles, and birds – something a single property can’t do alone.
Attention Lake Groups
Use this survey to build awareness across membership, encourage voluntary action without pressure, create a shared starting point for conversation, support lake-wide improvements over time, and strive for progress and track it. Explore lessons on how to build a successful Healthy Lakes & Rivers program in your area.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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