What Smokey Can Teach Us About Lake Stewardship

Take one look at the image of Smokey Bear and we know exactly what we should do to help prevent wildfires. We don’t even need to see a list. It’s burned into our memories. Now, what if we had a similar symbol, and a consistent message, about lake stewardship – the most essential things all of us can do to protect our lake ecosystems and the scenic values of our woods and waters? What if one visual image could trigger reminders of the basics, such as:

* Keep a buffer of vegetation along the lakeshore

* Capture runoff before it reaches the lake

* Inspect and maintain the septic system

* Avoid fertilizers and pesticides

Lake groups in Minnesota are taking steps in that direction. And there’s more to their initiative than a symbol – there’s positive reinforcement and public recognition for doing the right things as lakefront property owners. Watch for a future post on this subject.