Ten Ways to Help Lake Lansing

1. Protect wetlands because they filter and collect sediment, remove nutrients, pesticides and bacteria, reduce overland water flow and store runoff and flood water. Don't place leaves, or grass clippings, or any other fill in wetlands. Never burn leaves and grass clippings near wetlands, streams, drains, or especially the lakeshore. Establish buffer zones of ground cover vegetation to filter runoff before it reaches the water's edge. Ideally, buffer zones should be at least 10 feet wide.
2. Plant trees and shrubs to slow wind and reduce soil erosion. Deciduous trees should be planed far enough away from the water's edge that leaves do not blow into the water.
3. Walk your pets in areas away from the edge of wetlands, streams, drains, and the lake. Then bag your pet's waste and dispose of it through your toilet.
4. Use fertilizer and pesticides on your lawn aparingly, or not at all. If you must fertilize your lawn, use a fertilizer with no phosphorus. This is the middle number on the fertilizer bag.
5. Repair eroded areas of your yard along wetlands, streams, drains, and the lake.
6. Avoid disturbing the lake bottom sediments with your motor boat or personal water craft. Any area of the lake that is three feet deep or less is a no wake zone under Michigan law.
7. Water your lawn sparingly to avoid washing nutrients and sediments into watershed.
8. Direct your roof water runoff into grassy areas. Roof gutters and drains should never be donnected to your sewer system, nor drain directly to a water body.
9. Be careful when filling gas tanks near the water's edge - whether your boat, car, or lawnmower. Oil and gass spills and runoff are very harmful pollutants.
10. REMEMBER: If you live in the Lake Lansing Watershed, everything you put on your lawn, eventually ends up in Lake Lansing. Please treat Meridian Township's greatest recreational resource with care.