DLIA is a participant in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE)’s 6th Annual Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Landing Blitz. The AIS Landing Blitz is a collaborative outreach campaign to raise awareness about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species through recreational boating and related activities. Thanks to Scott Davis’s leadership and additional DLIA member volunteers, there will be a “meet and greet” with boaters on Saturday morning June 29^th 10:00-Noon and Sunday morning June 30^th 8:00 am-Noon at the Douglas Lake Boat Ramp.
            Our Blitz hosts meet with boaters during the event periods to share messaging about the dangers of aquatic invasive species and their prevention. 

 
DEGLE provides the “freebies” and outreach materials (examples, key chains, rack cards, towels, etc.). Please drop by on either Saturday June 29^th (10-Noon) or Sunday June 30^th morning (8-Noon) whether or not you’re putting a boat in the water. You won’t leave empty handed – and it’s always fun to catch up with DL neighbors and talk quality of life and boating on Douglas Lake. Check the DLIA Calendar at www.douglaslake.org for specifics.

Michigan State University Extension is offering a workshop “Protecting Lakes: Enjoying and Caring for our Lakes at the Shoreline” at Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga in Emmet County. The program highlights the benefits of natural lake shorelines and the techniques and tools property owners and local governments can take to maintain or recreate natural shorelines.
In Michigan, we are proud stewards of our many inland lakes. Regardless of their size, lakes enhance our quality of life by providing clean drinking water, food, beauty, and enjoyment. Lakes are also an invaluable asset which offers a unique sense of place and serve as a rich economic resource locally, regionally, and statewide. However, lakes are complex systems that are constantly influenced by our activities on the land and in the water.
In 2017 a report published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality [Note: Recently the former DEQ has changed its name to Environment, Great Lakes and Energy – EGLE – and modified its mission accordingly.] concluded that degraded lakeshore habitat is the biggest stressor to Michigan’s lakes. Indeed, intensely developed lakeshores can have a dramatic impact on lakes. For example, shoreline erosion increases when there are no native lakeshore plants to hold the soil in place with their deep and fibrous roots. Additionally, removing native vegetation can impair water quality by increasing pollutant and nutrient runoff from the upland portion of the shoreline property. Once trees, shrubs, and other plants are removed, their resident fish, birds, frogs and turtles will also disappear.
Often, when shoreline property is developed, traditional landscaping practices and ideas are used (i.e. a clean-cut lawn up to the water’s edge for the full length of the shoreline). This type of landscaping is not sustainable for the long term health of a lake. A more ideal approach instead is to have a balanced design between nature and the needs of the landowner. There are many lake-friendly practices and designs that integrate a natural component of shoreline development with landscaping plans. Many of these practices are as simple as adding native vegetation back to a portion of a shoreline property.
The MSU Extension program will take place on July 19^th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $25 and includes handouts, refreshments, and lunch. Specific topics included in this workshop:

 
Participants will also enjoy a field component examining a local natural shoreline project. The program is sponsored in part by the Burt Lake Preservation Association, Northeast Michigan Council of Governments, and Networks Northwest.
Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga is located at 11000 Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga Road on the shores of Pickerel Lake in Alanson, MI.  To learn more and register for the program, please visit https://events.anr.msu.edu/naturalshorelines2019/