Help Us Make a Difference! Our biggest expense is science. We conduct ongoing research to prevent invasive species and monitor water quality; we offer educational resources and free greenbelt consultations; and we strive to set an example of stewardship that will safeguard the lake we love. We ask all riparians to consider a minimum annual donation of $250. This is just $20 per month and allows us to maintain current programs, increase outreach, and be ready should an invasive species like Eurasian Watermilfoil become detected. Larger lakes in the area, where the invasive has taken hold, spend up to $100,000 per year on this problem alone. Thank you for your support and stewardship. Donate and Join The Lime Lake Association $ Donate THANK YOU! Membership Matters Join at any level - it's easy! Your annual tax deductible contribution directly supports our mission of preserving and protecting the environmental purity and beauty of Lime Lake. $50 - Member $100 - Sustainer $250 - Benefactor $500 - Partner $$ - Custom Amount Optional - In Honor / In Memory Of If you would prefer, please send a check made out to the Lime Lake Association and mail to: The Lime Lake Assocation P.O. Box 50, Maple City, MI 49664

Shoreline Preservation Shorelines are critical transition areas from land to water. A natural shoreline protects the lake and provides habitat for fish and wildlife. However, intense shoreline development, the proliferation of turf lawns, and an increase in waves from boat activity create erosion problems and allow fertilizers and pesticides to enter the water. You can restore your shoreline to a more natural state which will support wildlife habitat and prevent run-off. Create a Greenbelt A greenbelt is a natural shoreline of diverse and native vegetation including trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers that grow naturally or are planted. The most important benefits of greenbelts are erosion control and pollution filtering. By keeping sediments and excess nutrients from washing into the water, greenbelts keep the water clear and cool. An added benefit is deterring geese who prefer well-manicured lawns with unrestricted access to the water. Schedule Your Free Lake On-Site Consultations To encourage establishing and enhancing greenbelts on the lake, the LLA is supporting on-site consultations by our Lake Biologist, Kelsey Froelich. During the half-hour consultation, you will gain a deeper understanding of the natural process and science that a natural shoreline plays in the health of the lake ecosystem. Site specific opportunities will be discussed so you can create a greenbelt plan for your shore. Free Greenbelt Consultation Registration Next Education - Not Enforcement Greenbelt consultations are focused on providing an understanding of the natural processes and their effect on lake health. In other words, education. We are giving riparians the information to make the changes they deem appropriate to improve lake health while providing space for water accessibility and recreation. The decisions are left to the property owner - and the LLA has no interest in ‘enforcement’! Tips for Your Shoreline Maintain a greenbelt - a 20 to 35’ natural buffer along 70% of your shoreline to help provide filtration to trap pollutants, prevent overgrowth of aquatic plants and algae, reduce erosion and discourage geese. Use native plants - shrubs, trees and grasses to stabilize shorelines which provides habitat for wildlife (more). Plant native trees to help offset storm damage and replace die-off of diseased ash, birch, beech and oaks. Use a mulching mower, compost leaves and yard trimmings at least 100 ft from surface water. Excess leaves in the lakes and creeks degrades water quality. Rate Your Shore The Michigan Shoreland Stewardship Program has created an online survey for you to ‘rate your shoreland’. In the process, you will receive customized advice on how to make improvements to your property and its management. The Survey asks questions related to management practices in each of the four zones of your shoreland property: Upland, Buffer, Shoreline and Lake. You will need the basic dimensions of your property and you should plan for approximately 30 minutes to complete the form. Please select the Lime Lake Association when taking the survey; this will help us track participation rates. The survey can be taken anonymously, but we encourage you to register. By registering, your data will be saved so you can return to the survey as you make changes on your property. Thank you for being a good steward of Lime Lake. RATE YOUR SHORE

Good Harbor Bay Watershed Protection Plan The Leelanau Conservancy, in partnership with both the Lime Lake and Little Traverse Lake Associations along with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Leelanau Conservation District developed a Good Harbor Bay Watershed Protection Plan in 2015. Good Harbor Bay’s watershed includes Lime Lake (Kasson and Cleveland townships); Little Traverse Lake (Cleveland Township); School, Bass and Shell Lakes (Cleveland and Glen Arbor townships); and the area that flows directly into the Good Harbor Bay. Good Harbor Watershed Plan Purpose The prevention of water pollution and water quality degradation. The conservation of natural shore land areas. Conservation of watershed hydrology by managing storm-water to protect the natural hydrology regimen, especially as it relates to the quantity of runoff versus infiltration and groundwater recharge. Protection against the negative impacts of nutrient loading, erosion, and storm-water runoff. Maintain Your Septic System Septic tanks and fields should be inspected every one to three 3 years. High water levels will compromise lower lying tanks and fields. There should be a minimum of four feet below drain fields to the top of the water table. If not working properly septic systems can leach nutrients and sewage into the lake. LEARN MORE Maintain a Natural Shoreline Buffer The primary purpose of a buffer (greenbelt) at the shoreline is to protect the property from erosion. Erosion may result in loss of shoreline property and increased sediment in the water – leading to poor water quality. Native plants have the added benefit of being easy to maintain and they support a variety of wildlife including turtles, fish, birds and pollinators. LEARN MORE Eliminate Pesticides Pump lake water into your irrigation system to irrigate and “fertilize” your lawn and landscape plants instead of applying chemicals. The lake water will naturally contain nitrogen and phosphates for your plants and lawn. If you are still considering using fertilizers, "find out more" first. LEARN MORE Safeguarding Lake Health: Responsible Practices Please remember to never let soaps, cleaners, or any type of chemicals drain into the lake. When filling gas tanks, exercise caution to prevent accidental spills. Refrain from raking leaves directly into the water, as they introduce nutrients that can adversely impact water quality. Join us in our commitment to preserving the natural splendor of our waters. Become a Michigan Shoreland Steward The Michigan Shoreland Stewards Program provides recognition for lakefront property owners who are protecting inland lakes through best management practices on their property. These individuals exemplify responsible land management practices that minimize runoff, erosion, and pollution, ensuring the long-term health and vitality of our lakes. LEARN MORE Learn More About Lake Ecology We invite you to discover "Introduction to Lakes" an online course offered by MSU extension that is designed for concerned citizens, decision makers, local leaders, and lakefront property owners interested in gaining knowledge about inland lakes. Explore water quality, aquatic organisms, and environmental factors. Visit the official course page for more information. LEARN MORE

Lake water levels around Leelanau County are down due to lack of rain and evaporation. While we do not officially measure lake levels here at Lime Lake, our friends at Glen Lake have reported that the last time their level was this low was in 2016, and the last time it was this low at this time of year was in 2011. Until our area receives sufficient rainfall, water levels on Lime Lake will also remain low. In the past, well-meaning folks have tried to take matters into their own hands. As a friendly reminder, attempting to make changes at the outlet of Lime Lake will not alter the situation; only rain will sufficiently raise our levels. Furthermore, according to GLISA , a Great Lakes collaboration between U of M and MSU, low water levels in the Fall are natural due to evaporation which peaks this time of year when lake temperatures are still warm from the summer and air temperatures are cooler, creating a temperature gradient ideal for evaporation. Low water levels in the fall help protect against ice damage along our shores in the Spring! This holiday weekend and into fall, we encourage all boaters to be especially cautious in shallow areas, for both the safety of other boaters and swimmers, and to protect our lake bottom. A minimally disturbed lake bottom equals a healthy lake. Water levels are down, so let's keep our awareness up! Thank you.

Our August 4th Boat Tour will now take place at 3 pm. Seats Available. Would you like to know more about Lime Lake, its geologic history and the science that goes into monitoring and maintaining its health? Join our lake biologist, Kelsey, for a Lime Lake Discovery Boat Tour. This will be an educational and entertaining 90-120 minute cruise of the lake on Friday, August 4 at 3 pm. Topics to be covered will include the history of the formation of Lime Lake and its watershed, the significance of Teichner and Pat's Preserves, what we can do as residents to support the health of the lake, the invasive species to watch out for, and more. There will be many opportunities for you to ask questions. When, Where, What to Bring August 4, 3pm Participants will meet at the Lime Lake Boat Launch at 2:45 pm. Bottled water will be available. Alternatively, you can bring your own beverage of choice in a spill-proof container. Sunscreen/sun protection are recommended. Gather together some friends or family members and reserve your spot today by emailing marybarss@aol.com.

We Want to Hear Your Thoughts The Lime Lake Association would love to hear from you! We've created a survey so we can learn more about your concerns, familiarity with what we do as an organization, and observations. And, of course, we want to know what we can do to better serve the needs of our community. The survey will take less than five minutes of your time and is easy to complete right online. Thank you for supporting our work and our beautiful Lime Lake.