In 2025, the Healthy Lakes & Rivers (HLR) initiative marked a significant milestone: celebrating a decade of dedicated efforts to safeguard the pristine waters of Wisconsin. This initiative, launched in 2015 in collaboration with the Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Partnership, seeks to not only preserve but also restore the health of the state’s numerous lakes and rivers. The transformative decade of HLR has demonstrated that effective water management and promotion of ecological balance can take root at the grassroots level, engaging property owners and local communities.
The core philosophy behind HLR is simple. By increasing participation in habitat restoration and runoff and erosion control projects, the initiative champions straightforward and cost-effective best practices that any property owner can adopt. These include five key methods:
Fish sticks: These are large woody structures crafted from trees grouped together in water bodies, creating habitats for aquatic life.
Native shoreline plantings: These encourage local flora to thrive and offer natural filtration of water entering lakes and rivers.
Water diversion practices: Redirecting water away from fragile shorelines reduces erosion and protects habitats.
Rock infiltration practices: These techniques aid in allowing water to permeate the ground, decreasing runoff while enhancing filtration.
- Rain gardens: These are specially designed gardens that absorb rainwater, filtering pollutants and reducing the volume of water entering waterways.
As DNR Secretary Karen Hyun articulated, Wisconsin stands out due to its statewide initiatives and financial support aimed at empowering shoreland property owners to contribute actively to preserving water quality. Through the HLR initiative, property owners gain access to resources that guide them on applying these best practices effectively.
The HLR website serves as a comprehensive repository of information. It features fact sheets, technical guidance on implementing best practices, and a free shoreland evaluation tool called “Score My Shore.” This tool empowers property owners by evaluating their land management strategies and providing personalized recommendations for improving water quality and habitat. Suggestions include redirecting gutter downspouts away from waterbodies and maintaining natural foliage along shorelines to enhance ecological integrity.
Significantly, local partners, including lake and river organizations and municipal governments, can apply for cost-share grants on behalf of shoreland property owners. By funding up to $1,000 per installed practice, with a funding cap of $25,000, these grants incentivize active participation and bolster community resilience against environmental threats. Eligible properties encompass those within 1,000 feet of lakes and 300 feet of rivers or floodplains, ensuring a broad reach across Wisconsin’s diverse habitats.
The results of the last decade of the HLR initiative have been encouraging. Over 1,000 landowners across 205 lakes and rivers have benefitted from financial assistance and installation of best practices, catalyzing significant ecological improvements. Reports from participants highlight personal experiences and observable changes—odds such as increased butterfly populations and encounters with native wildlife. These individual stories reflect a collective shift towards environmental stewardship, urging broader community involvement in the ongoing protection of Wisconsin’s water resources.
However, challenges remain. To maintain momentum, continuous education and awareness campaigns are essential. Many property owners still encounter hurdles due to a lack of knowledge or belief in the impact of their actions. Thus, the initiative must not only focus on funding but also on outreach efforts that empower and inspire individuals to see their potential contributions to a healthier ecosystem.
Looking to the future, the HLR initiative hopes to expand its outreach to involve more communities and encourage deeper cooperation among diverse stakeholders. With increasing climate concerns and pollution, there is an urgent need for collaborative strategies to address broader environmental challenges.
The success of the HLR initiative demonstrates the power of local activism and community engagement in environmental conservation. By prioritizing simple yet effective strategies, Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers can celebrate healthy ecosystems for future generations. Initiatives like HLR remind us that even incremental changes at the local level can lead to profound conservation successes, reinforcing our shared responsibility to protect and nurture the natural resources that define our state.
For shoreland property owners, the call to action is clear: engage with the resources available through the HLR initiative, explore the steps to improve shoreland health, and connect with local partners to make a tangible impact. With ten successful years behind, the HLR initiative stands poised to lead Wisconsin—offering a vital blueprint for protecting its abundant and cherished water resources.
