Lake Wise:

What Is Lake Wise?

The Lake Wise Program is a Vermont Agency of Natural Resources initiative that provides free, non-regulatory, technical assistance to lakeshore homeowners and awards lake-friendly shoreland properties, including state parks, town beaches, private homes, and businesses.

Program Goal

The goal of Lake Wise is to establish a new culture of lakeshore landscaping that has been proven to protect the lake. A property that earns the Lake Wise Award will represent a “model” shoreland property. The Lake Wise Award certifies a property is well managed, using shoreland Best Management Practices, and is maintained to care for the lake.

Why Lake Wise?

Vermont lake science from the National Lake Assessment study shows that Vermont ranked lowest in the northeast ecoregion and in the nation for degraded shoreland. Shoreland disturbance can be directly related to degraded water quality and aquatic habitat. The Lake Wise Program aims to inform, teach, and change the current lakeshore development practices from clearing shores and building sea walls to practices that are more lake-friendly and known to effectively protect the lake. Through Lake Wise, participants receive technical assistance for mitigating erosion and runoff problems, and increasing shoreland vegetation, which will protect lake quality and wildlife habitat.

Technical Assistance

The Lake Wise Program offers technical assistance to shoreland property owners who want to learn more about making their property as lake friendly as possible. Take advantage of free technical assistance through the Lake Wise Program and have your shoreland property assessed for controlling runoff and preventing erosion. The Lake Wise Program offers solutions – Best Management Practices – for managing shoreland property and making it lake-friendly for all.

Participation

If you are a lakeshore owner and think you are or would like to become a Lake Wise property, then just contact the Lake Wise Program. To Earn the Lake Wise Award a property is evaluated in four categories: shoreland, recreation area, driveway, and structure and septic. Passing two of the four categories earns a Lake Wise certificate. Passing in all four categories earns the property a Lake Wise award sign, indicating the property is a model for lake friendly living.