The 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 MoreA 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 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 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.
Read MoreThe City of Port Washington is embarking on an exciting watershed-scale initiative to revitalize Valley Creek, a crucial tributary flowing into Lake Michigan. This project aims to tackle the challenges facing Valley Creek using innovative, nature-based solutions. The goal is to not only stabilize the stream’s condition, but also strengthen the surrounding ecosystem and community by building climate resilience and improving public access.
Read MoreWith the spring blooming of Forsythia, the LNRP team has been embarking on a campaign of restoration site visits, partner engagements, tabling events, speeches, town meetings, and so much more! Consider this letter as your Season Pass to come out and join us or our dedicated partner groups for a myriad of community events and volunteer opportunities. We invite you to get your boots dirty, meet some amazing people, and engage in work that truly improves the lives of everyone in your community.
Read More“The City of Sheboygan is one of twelve communities around the state to receive a grant aimed at planting more trees. The city is set to receive $5,000 from Alliant Energy’s One Million Trees initiative to help repopulate county parks with trees…”
Read More“The partners that make up the Big Plant aim to add 10,000 trees to the peninsula landscape in April. Coordinator Jeff Lutsey of the Climate Change Coalition joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about his path the CCC, the value of trees and how to make a difference one root at a time…”
Read More“(WFRV)- Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership provides strategic planning, networking, support, and more to the Wisconsin Ledge…”
Read More“The City of Manitowoc is looking to beautify a section of the city near the lakeshore. The Public Infrastructure Committee heard from Parks Planner Brock Wetenkamp earlier this month as he was looking for approval of funding for the restoration of Maritime Bluff, located along Maritime Drive…”
Read MoreThe City of Port Washington received a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to start designing restoration plans for the Valley Creek Corridor. The Valley Creek Corridor has been experiencing excessive bank erosion which damages infrastructure, degrades native fish habitat, and poses health and safety risks. LNRP has been working with the City of Port Washington to secure funding for this project, and has been subcontracted with these funds to implement education and outreach programs. Ultimately this project has the potential to improve water quality and habitat, significantly reduce the risk of flooding, and increase safety and accessibility of this valuable public green space.
Read MoreThis year, LNRP received a grant from the West Foundation, which funds work in the Manitowoc River Basin. With this generous support, LNRP will be able to increase investment in ongoing initiatives in this region, expand support through our partner groups, and leverage additional funds for project grants. These funds help make possible projects ranging from small-scale, educational initiatives like Trout in the Classroom to large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects like the Coastal Resiliency Community Impact Project (CRCIP). LNRP thanks the West Foundation for their support of our work, and their contribution to the health and vitality of the Manitowoc River Basin.
Read MoreNavigating the successful work of 2023 has left LNRP in an amazing position for 2024 and the critical work that lies ahead! Working side by side with our partner groups, we strive to protect fragile natural resources, forge working relationships with agricultural communities, support practices that positively impact climate change, and control invasive species to promote habitat biodiversity. This critical work involves people, funding, resources and a whole lot of passion.
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