lakeshore – East Metro Water

Live, love, laser loon

By: angiehongmn February 23, 2026

Uncategorized, Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingbirding, birds, featured, lakes, lakeshore, lead-free, loons, Minnesota, nature, photography, shoreline landscaping, travelLeave a Comment

2026 = Lead out, natural shorelines in!

Learn about Minnesota’s strange but beloved loon.

Meet our 2025 Natural Shoreline Award winners!

We are excited to announce the winners of our inaugural Natural Shoreline Awards, sponsored by the East Metro Water Resource Education Program and Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership. These awards recognize Minnesotans who are protecting lake, stream, and wetland habitat in Chisago, Isanti, Ramsey and Washington Counties.

Submit a nomination for 2025 Natural Shoreline Awards

The Natural Shoreline Award Program recognizes beautiful lakeshore, riverfront and streamside properties that incorporate native flowers, shrubs, trees and plants. Award-winning properties can be located in Chisago, Isanti, Ramsey or Washington Counties.

2025 Program Timeline:
– July 1 – August 7: Call for nominations
– August 7 – 31: Program judges will tour and evaluate shorelines
– September 9: Award recipients are announced

Learn more and submit your nominations.

Score your shore: A tool to measure the health of your lakeshore property

By: angiehongmn June 13, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, lakes, lakeshore, Minnesota, Minnesota lakes, native plants, shoreline, up northLeave a Comment

Maintaining and restoring lakeshore habitat isn’t just good for wildlife, it also helps to protect valuable real estate from literally washing away.

Tending trees and lake on the edge of the Northwoods

By: angiehongmn November 9, 2024November 1, 2024

Local Achievements, Partners and UpdatesBone Lake, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, featured, lakeshore, minnesota water steward, trees, volunteers, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

In recognition of his many years of volunteer efforts tending trees and water on the edge of the Northwoods, Tom Furey was selected as the Washington County Conservation Cooperator of the year for 2024. He also received a Watershed Champion award from the CLFLWD at their 25th Anniversary celebration in September.

As phosphorus inputs decline, watershed organizations focus their attention on shorelines

By: angiehongmn October 18, 2024October 14, 2024

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatescomfort lake - forest lake watershed district, featured, lakeshore, rice creek watershed district, shorelines, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

A recent report from the Natural Shorelines Partnership noted that Minnesota has lost 50% of its natural shorelines over the past 100 years, and continues to lose shoreline habitat at a rate of 1-2% per decade.

A healthy shore is a happy lake

By: angiehongmn April 6, 2023April 5, 2023

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Yards and LandscapingChisago SWCD, featured, lakes, lakeshore, Minnesota lakes, native plants, shorelineLeave a Comment

Shoreline landscaping workshops: April 18 and May 8

In the Land of 10,000 lakes, more and more lakeshore landowners are turning toward natural solutions that combine bio-engineering with deep-rooted, native plants to stabilize the land along the water’s edge while also maintaining connected corridors of habitat for beneficial insects, fish, birds, frogs, turtles, and other kinds of wildlife