Healthy Lakes & Rivers Resource Spotlight

By Amy Kowalski, Communications Specialist, Extension Lakes

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.
We all know what we do on the land affects our shared waters. You probably follow shoreland zoning laws and think, “I’m doing my part.” But these standards were a compromise, like many Wisconsin laws, and don’t measure up to what the science is telling us.

How healthy is your shoreland property?
Head over to the Healthy Lakes & Rivers website (healthylakeswi.com) and click on “Score My Shore” to find out! Or simply scan the QR code above and get started.

Wisconsin Score My Shore – Shoreland Evaluation Survey
This easy-to-use online survey helps you take a fresh look at your property. Think of it as a friendly check-in rather than a test. Answer simple questions about what you see and do as you walk from your 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. Your answers guide what comes next, so you get information tailored to your property. At the end, you receive a score (like a credit score), ranging from “Entry” to “Protection” level, along with practical suggestions for improvements.

Even better, the survey directs you to simple, often low-cost actions. Planting native vegetation, redirecting runoff, or leaving natural features in place can help support fish, wildlife, and water quality.

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.

Strive for Progress, Not Perfection
It’s also 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. Taking small steps toward more natural conditions can make a meaningful difference.

A Private, Flexible Way to Learn
Score My Shore also offers a private way to learn. If you’ve ever wondered what a site visit might involve but weren’t ready to invite someone out, this tool lets you explore at your own pace. You can even preview the survey, pause and return later, or update your answers before submitting.

So, what’s your shoreline telling you? Taking a few minutes to find out could lead to healthier water, more diverse wildlife, and a shoreline you can feel even better about sharing with family, friends, and neighbors. And when those neighbors get curious, you’ll have something valuable to pass along, because it takes all of us to make healthy lakes and rivers together!

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.
– Strive for progress and track it.

Find lessons on how to build a successful Healthy Lakes & Rivers program in your area.

Five free ways to give back to your lake/river:
1) Leave fallen trees in the water – they protect shorelines and provide habitat for fish, turtles, songbirds, and more.
2) Don’t mow – let the water’s edge grow and see what pops up (remove invasives).
3) Skip the fertilizer – most soil does not need a boost.
4) Protect existing natural areas.
5) Redirect gutters/downspouts away from the waterbody.