In 2023, Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) and Restoration of Our Trees Sheboygan (ROOTS) launched a collaborative effort to restore the tree canopy across Sheboygan Area School District (SASD) campuses. With funding support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Urban Forestry Program, this initiative aims to replace over 300 ash trees lost to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation and create vibrant, green spaces for students and the community.
Read MoreThe City of Kewaunee is embarking on an ambitious effort to restore the Marshland Walk, a beloved city-owned boardwalk that was severely damaged by flooding in 2020. This project is not just about rebuilding infrastructure; it represents a broader commitment to ecosystem restoration, community access to nature, and long-term coastal resilience. Through our Coastal Resilience Community Impact Project (CRCIP), Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) is playing a key role in helping the City navigate the funding, planning, and implementation of this effort.
Read MoreAt a recent presentation, an audience member shared a phrase that really resonated with me: “We all have a water story”. During these first few months of 2025, I’ve been reflecting on the many water stories I had the privilege of experiencing in 2024.
Read MoreLakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) has teamed up with Dr. Ryan Newton and his undergraduate capstone students at UW-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Science (SFS) to support the ongoing restoration of the Valley Creek Corridor in Port Washington. Throughout 2024, Dr. Newton’s students have acted as a small consulting team, tasked with gathering and analyzing stream data to inform both the restoration process and future research opportunities.
Read MoreLakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) is thrilled to share some exciting updates about our ongoing collaboration with the City of Algoma and our Partner Group, Friends of Crescent Beach, to restore and enhance Olson Park. Thanks to a $283,000 Sustain Our Great Lakes grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, this long-anticipated project is moving forward!
Read MoreThe Climate Change Coalition of Door County (CCCDC) is thrilled to announce they have received a $120,150 grant from the Daybreak Fund to support the Boreal & Temperate Mesic Forest Climate Survivability Project. This three-year initiative is in partnership with The Ridges Sanctuary and Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) and will study the adaptability of tree species in various habitats to ensure the long-term success of reforestation efforts in order to increase climate mitigation, climate resilience, carbon sequestration, water protection, and biodiversity. This project will be guided and informed by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Forest Ecology, and will work in tandem with the Door County Big Plant and its conservation-leader partners.
Read MoreThe Sheboygan River Basin Partnership (SRBP), a Partner Group of Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP), has a longstanding commitment to cultivating community partnerships that promote stewardship and sound decision-making for a healthier Sheboygan River Basin. This year, SRBP has renewed its focus on expanding public engagement through new and existing collaborations, furthering its mission to engage the community in meaningful conservation action.
Read MoreThe 15th annual Lakeshore Water Summit celebrated a decade and a half of impactful conservation work by the UWGB-Manitowoc Lakeshore Water Institute and its partners. The event highlighted research by the “Stream Team,” a group of student interns who monitor water quality in Manitowoc County creeks, contributing data to watershed restoration efforts. This year’s research demonstrated land use impacts on water quality and local restoration success, showcasing the program’s role in supporting local and regional conservation initiatives.
Read MoreAround this time last year, I was meandering through the quiet woods of the Chequamegon National forest, not yet knowing this hike would be unlike any other. As I ambled through the trees, my phone rang– it was a call from LNRP board members asking me if I would accept the role of leading this remarkable organization! Now, almost a year later, I want to take a few paragraphs to reflect on all we have to be thankful for at LNRP.
Read MoreThe Sheboygan Rotary Club’s Restoration Of Our Trees Sheboygan (ROOTS) and Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) have partnered with Sheboygan Area School District (SASD) to enhance tree canopies in public school properties through a $25,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), launched on October 19, 2024, with matching funds from ROOTS and LNRP.
A healthy environment contributes to our overall well-being, makes us more resilient to disease, and helps prevent illness. Ecosystems around the world provide us with the food we eat, water we drink, air we breathe, and all other everyday essentials that sustain us; everything we have and are is from nature. Environmental conservation is an important public health strategy because it positively impacts the six dimensions of human health: social, physical, mental, emotional, environmental, and spiritual.
Read MoreThe Great Lakes region is facing a growing array of challenges from the continual spread of invasive pests to a warming climate that brings with it new extreme weather patterns. These issues are placing unprecedented strain on our coastal habitats, endangering the ecological health of areas critical to migratory birds and other wildlife. With funding from the U.S. Forest Service and Wildlife Conservation Society, LNRP is working with a team of consultants, nonprofits, municipalities, and community members to spearhead a comprehensive tree planting initiative that tackles these environmental threats head-on.
Read MoreNestled along the shores of Lake Michigan, Crescent Beach in Algoma is a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike. However, maintaining the beauty and ecological health of this valued community space requires continuous effort, especially in the battle against invasive species. Enter the Friends of Crescent Beach (FOCB) and their dedicated volunteer group, the Crescent Crew, who have taken up the challenge of restoring and preserving the natural habitat of Crescent Beach.
Read MoreOne of my summer reads is the amazing book Braiding Sweetgrass, in which author Robin Wall Kimmerer weaves together Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants. Her deep discussions concerning the importance of the relationships we have with people and the land reflects the core values we hold dear at LNRP. She writes, “Restoring land without restoring relationships is an empty exercise. It is a relationship that will endure and a relationship that will sustain the restored land.” For LNRP, the work of caring for our lands and waters has only been possible because of the relationships that we’ve fostered over 21 years with passionate grassroots organizations, engaged community members, and effective government leaders.
Read MoreThe 10th Annual Soar on the Shore Kite and Beach Festival in Algoma drew large crowds despite rainy forecasts, offering children’s activities, kite displays, and food, as families enjoyed a vibrant day at the beach with colorful rocks and stunt kites.
Read MoreDozens gathered in Manitowoc on Lake Michigan Day to celebrate progress and address challenges facing the lake, with keynote speaker Sara Smith emphasizing the importance of a collective effort to combat global warming and protect water as a vital, interconnected resource.
Read MoreLNRP’s Land Acknowledgement Statement, along with our Biodiversity Statement, provide fundamental guiding principles for our work and the work of the 17 partner groups that make up the LNRP family. These principles reflect a deep respect for Indigenous cultures and their historical connection to the land. They also underscore the valuable insights traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) offers for contemporary conservation efforts.
Read MoreJoAnne "Grandma Jo" Friedman is leading a movement in Sheboygan to replace traditional grass with white clover, advocating for its eco-friendly benefits like drought resistance, low maintenance, and support for pollinators.
Read MoreLNRP secured a DNR Lake Management Planning grant to provide the necessary framework for water quality improvement projects in Carstens Lake. Improvements to land use practices to reduce phosphorus and other nonpoint source pollutant inputs are underway; however, additional work was needed to improve Carstens Lake water quality. The subsequent 2018 Carstens Lake Comprehensive Management Plan recommended several structures adjacent to Pine Creek for water quality treatment to mitigate phosphorus loading in Carstens Lake.
Read MoreTrout in the Classroom (TIC) is a nationally recognized program and curriculum aiming to bridge classroom education with the natural world, fostering environmental stewardship in the process. In 2016, community reconnection to Stony Brook began with bringing the Trout in the Classroom program to Chilton School District (CSD). Since then, Oshkosh Area School District has joined CSD in adopting this valuable program that teaches students how to raise trout and assess their habitat conditions in Stony Brook.
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