Shorelands and Shallows Stewardship

Wisconsin is slowly losing a significant amount of its shorelands and shallows (including inland lakes, wetlands, rivers, and the Great Lakes).The Shoreland and Shallows Advisory Team is developing a new strategy to protect and restore this critical resource.

As many as 90% of the living things in our lakes and rivers are found along their shallow margins and shores. Shorelands and shallows are being degraded due to increasing development pressure, increasing intensity of recreational use, and the invasion of exotic species. Shorelands and shallows are vital for flood protection, water quality protection, natural scenic beauty, recreational opportunity, and economic health.

The Shorelands and Shallows Team is developing a strategy to protect these vital areas that includes:

• Recognition of the critical impact private citizens have on shorelands and shallows, the need for a public constituency to champion the value of shorelands and shallows, and support programs to help protect these important areas
• The importance of a science based assessment tool for shorelands and shallows to guide management decisions and achieve ecologically based goals
• Opportunities in partnerships, incentives, and regulations to protect Wisconsin's shorelands and shallows