Individual Stewardship

Being a Conservation Steward

"Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land….when we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."

Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac, 1949

Everyone who owns property in the Leech Lake watershed, or enjoys its immense natural resources, is a conservation steward of the land, water, plants, and animals within the watershed. Tomorrow, our children, grandchildren, and neighbors take our place as stewards of our forests and lake treasures.

The fate of our natural resources depends on a sense of environmental responsibility and the practice of good stewardship actions, along with a willingness by local and state governments to set good regulations and enforce them to protect the natural resources that make this region an attractive place to live and visit.

Water quality is primarily dependent on what happens on the land around a lake or in the watershed. To do your part to protect water quality by following these stewardship practices:

#1 Give your shoreland a make-over!
Preserve or install a shoreline landscape that is rich in native species to allow water to soak in rather than run off. Control erosion. Limit lawn, beach areas, and clearing of native vegetation. Maintain your septic system. Reduce impervious surfaces such as rooftops and driveways. Use environmentally friendly products.

#2 Learn what you can and cannot do on or to the lake and lakeshore.
It is unlawful in Minnesota to knowingly alter shoreline, fish habitat or aquatic vegetation without a permit from the Department of Natural Resources. Alteration work above the ordinary high water level (OHWL) can often require a permit by the county or city-check local ordinances. It is also important to make yourself generally informed about all the rules that govern lake use--from boat and water safety and installing docks and ramps to hunting and fishing regulations.

#3 Limit the destruction of aquatic plants.
Those aquatic "weeds" everyone seems to be trying to get rid of are actually a critical life support system for our lakes. With their amazing filtering abilities, native aquatic plants such as cattails and bulrush are natural water purifiers that take up nutrients. The rooted aquatic vegetation is also a veritable fish nursery, which provides critical refuge habitat for young fish, and it creates a wave break to reduce shoreline erosion. Do your part by minimizing aquatic vegetation removal along your shoreline.

#4 Encourage and support land conservation.
The donation or purchase of conservation easements is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect sensitive shorelines from development. Lakeshore owners and users can help in these efforts by maintaining records of changes to shoreline; keeping a watchful eye out for upcoming land sales or transfers; and encouraging donations (land or financial) to conservation easement programs, projects, committees or land trusts. Encourage your lake association to form a Sustainability Committee.

#5 Get to know your local officials and influence good land use decisions.
Citizens can have a powerful influence on local land-use decisions that determine how the Leech Lake watershed grows and develops and ultimately the protection of the region's natural resources. Be proactive, get know your local officials, be a part of the process of setting the rules, and then hold local officials accountable for enforcing their rules and making protective land-use decisions. To learn more, see: A Citizens Guide to Influencing Local Land-Use Decisions.

#6 Show up. Speak up. Write a check to support local efforts.
Decisions are made by those who show up and speak up. Join your lake association. Give money, time, input and feedback to support organizations like the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation and other conservation groups working to protect the water, woods, and natural resources of the region. Share your knowledge with your neighbors and with those elected and appointed officials who represent you. Be vigilant.