Resources

The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council's mission is to protect and enhance water quality in Northern Michigan. We appreciate your interest and are pleased to provide you with this list of resources including publications written by or produced by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, as well as other partner organizations.

Natural Shorelines for Inland Lakes

A Simple Solution for Lakefront Property Owners

Emmet County Local Ordinance Gaps Analysis
An essential guide for water protection

The Emmet County Local Ordinance Gaps Analysis is a review of all the water-related ordinances in Emmet County. The purpose is to evaluate them against what should be in place to best protect water resources, and offer recommendations and suggested actions to help local governments strengthen any areas that need improved. It covers ordinances at not only the county level, but also for cities, townships, and villages in the county.

A publication of Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
by Dr. Grenetta Thomassey

Price: FREE Download (File size: 12.2 MB, 172 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-889313-06-1

Click here to read online.

Charlevoix County Local Ordinance Gaps Analysis
An essential guide for water protection

The Charlevoix County Local Ordinance Gaps Analysis is a review of all the water-related ordinances in Charlevoix County. The purpose is to evaluate them against what should be in place to best protect water resources, and offer recommendations and suggested actions to help local governments strengthen any areas that need improved. It covers ordinances at not only the county level, but also for cities, townships, and villages in the county. This edition includes Peaine and St. James Townships of Beaver Island

A publication of Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
by Dr. Grenetta Thomassey

Price: FREE Download  (File size: 11.4 MB)

ISBN: 978-1-889313-05X

Click here to read online.

Antrim County Local Ordinance Gaps Analysis
An essential guide for water protection

The Antrim County Local Ordinance Gaps Analysis is a review of all the water-related ordinances in Antrim County. The purpose is to evaluate them against what should be in place to best protect water resources, and offer recommendations and suggested actions to help local governments strengthen any areas that need improved. It covers ordinances at not only the county level, but also for cities, townships, and villages in the county.

A publication of Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
by Dr. Grenetta Thomassey

Price: Free Download

The Water's Edge
Helping fish and wildlife on your lakeshore property

Shoreline habitat consists of many natural elements woven into the lake ecosystem to form a web of life. Native vegetation, bottom materials, and natural debris play essential roles in the life cycles of a lake's fish and wildlife. Nearshore alterations that damage or destroy these habitat components sever essential strands in the web.

A healthy lake doesn't just happen. It comes about when shoreline property owners and others living in the watershed take steps to ensure the lake's ecological health. This brochure helps identify management practices that ensure a our Michigan shorelines stay healthy and abundant.

By: Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment

Price: FREE Download

Freshwater Issues
A Reference Handbook

A compelling look at the challenges of freshwater conservation and management issues facing the United States at the start of the new millennium.

ISBN: 978-1-57607-649-1
Authors: Zachary A. Smith and Grenetta Thomassey

Price: $45.00
Size: 6 x 9"

Clean water is everybody's business
Stormwater solutions for individuals and businesses

Your actions can positively impact your waters. What can you do about stormwater? This brochure is full of tips and information stormwater solutions such as rain barrels, rain gardens, infiltration basins, and sand filters.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

A Field Guide to Invasive Plants of Aquatic and Wetlands Habitats for Michigan

This booklet was developed to help managers of wetlands and aquatic resources identify invasive plant species that may pose a threat to their management goals. Detecting these plants during the early phase of their invasion is essential to achieving cost effective removal or control.

Reproduction for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.

Produced by: Suzan Campbell, Phyllis Higman, Brad Slaughter and Ed Schools
MDNRE, Michigan University Extension, and Michigan Natural Features Inventory

Price: Complimentary Download
Reproduction for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.
Booklet is 58 pages and has a file size of 4.2 MB.

Landscaping for Wildlife

A landowner's guide to developing backyard, farm, and woodlot habitats for wildlife in the midwest.

ISBN: 0-9647451-2-7
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Price: $5.00

Protecting Michigan's Wetlands
A Guide for Local Governments

This guidebook is designed for the local government official or interested citizen who faces important questions about wetlands. Understand why wetlands are important and provide information to help you make decisions about the wetlands in your local community.

ISBN: 978-1-889313-12-2
A publication of Tip of Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

Click here to read online.

To download a free copy of this book click here.

Please note the file size of this book is 3.12MB. If you have a dial-up connection
this download could take several minutes.

A Citizen's Guide to Water Quality Permitting

Understanding the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Program and Its Role in Michigan

This guidebook is intended to improve citizen involvement in environmental decision-making in Michigan. The invaluable part of this publication is the comments provided by individuals who are experts in various aspects of water quality permitting in Michigan.

ISBN: 18893 13-10-6
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

Click here to read online.

To download a free copy of this book click here.

Please note the file size of this book is 4.6MB. If you have a dial-up connection
this download could take several minutes.

Why Stormwater Matters: Techniques to Benefit Your Local Economy, Environment, and Quality of Life

This brochure highlights four stormwater treatment features thatsignificanly reduce the amount of stormwater that leaves your property and flows directly into our lakes and streams.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

Living with Michigan's Wetlands: A Landowner's Guide
(Third Edition)

Michigan's landowners are critical to the protection and management of wetland resources in the state. This book contains concise but comprehensive information to help the landowner learn more about wetlands and the value of wetland protection, basic techniques and options for wetland management, the economic benefits of various protection methods, and where to go for more assistance.

ISBN: 1-889313-00-9
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
This project was made possible through funding from the Michigan Department
of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Price: Complimentary

To download a free copy of this book click here.

Please note that Appendix E: Michigan's Wetland Laws is not contained in this pdf version. Please click here for a link to the most current Wetland Laws.

Please note the file size of this book is 6.51MB and is 142 pages long.
If you have a dial-up connection this download could take several minutes.

Citizen Wetland Initiatives: Stories from the Great Lakes

The purpose of this book of case studies is threefold: the first is to celebrate the role that citizens have played in protecting wetlands in the Great Lakes region; the second is to provide citizens with ideas and strategies on how to protect wetlands; and the third is to motivate its readers to get involved in protecting wetlands in their own neighborhoods.

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price:

Restoring the Connections
Stories of Ecosystem Restoration in the Great Lakes

The stories in this book are about real people and real positive changes they have brought about on the ground, in themselves, and in their communities. They prove that we, as a society, can be better than we are. Bless them for showing us the way, let's roll up our sleeves and join them.

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

Michigan Wetlands - Yours to Protect
A Citizen's Guide to Wetland Protection

This guidebook focuses on the range of wetland protection activities from education to review permit applications, there is valuable information to assist concerned citizens, local governments, conservation organizations, landowners, and others in their efforts to initiate and implement wetlands protection activities.This book is a citizen's guide to wetland protection.

Since the printing of this book in 2003 there have been many changes in the law, including the Wetland Protection Act. However, the book is still a good source of information for people to use as a tool to protect the wetlands in Michigan.

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
ISBN#: 1-889313-08-4

Price: $5.00

Click here to read online.

To download a free copy of this book click here.

Please note the file size of this book is 6.4MB. If you have a dial-up connection
this download could take several minutes.

Understanding, Living With, and Controlling Shoreline Erosion
A Guidebook for Shoreline Property Owners

This guidebook focuses on the erosion and sedimentation caused by the energy of streams and inland lakes acting on their shorelines. Utilizing the information contained in this guidebook and following an organized plan to assess problems and evaluate the pros and cons of potential solutions, the likelihood of choosing an appropriate and successful action will be improved.

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
ISBN: 978-1-889313-11-4

Price: $15.00

Click here to read online.

To download a free copy of this book click here.

Please note the file size of this book is 5MB. If you have a dial-up connection
this download could take several minutes.

Planning for Success
A Step-By-Step Guide to Conservation Planning and Design

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
ISBN: 0-937360-46-5

Price: Complimentary

To download a free copy of this book click here.

Please note the file size of this book is 4.76MB. If you have a dial-up connection
this download could take several minutes.

Resources - Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Aquatic Invasive Species Alert

Learn about the aquatic invasive species within our Northern Michigan waterways including purple loosestrife, quagga mussels, eurasian watermilfoil (EWM), bloody red shrimp, phragmites, and viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). This updated also includes tips for recreational boating practices, information about the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act, and how you can become involved with the Aquatic Invasive Species Patrol.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

To download a free copy of this flyer click here.

Please note the file size of this flyer is 2.53MB. If you have a dial-up connection
this download could take several minutes.

Cladophora

This information card explains what Cladophora is and what you can do about it.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

To download a free copy of this informational card click here.

Battling with Beetles

Northern Michigan residents fight invasive species with a native preditor.

This informational flyer describes the issue and background of Purple Loosestrife. Learn about the biological control efforts using the Galerucella beetles to fight the spread of purple loosestrife.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

To download a free copy of this flyer click here. 
(File size: 586 kb)

Resources - Vital Resource Series

Click on a cover below to download a free copy of the brochure.
File sizes range from 1MB - 3.5MB in file size.
Note: If you are using a dial-up connection the download may take several minutes to process.

Along the Shore
A Shoreline Management Guide for Michigan Coastal Landowners

This pamphlet explains the shoreline management activities that may or may not require federal or state permits. You will also find contact information for people who can answer your permit-related questions.

Produced by: Michigan Sea Grant College Program

Price: Complimentary

Click here to download a free copy of this booklet.

Living with the Lakes
Understanding the Impacts of Vegetation Removal and Beach Maintenance

This brochure summarizes the findings from the research conducted and the DEQ report regarding beach grooming activities.

Produced by: Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Offices, Grand Traverse Bay Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Lone Tree Council, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michgian Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, National Wildlife Federation, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay

Price: Complimentary

To download a free copy of this book click here.

Please note the file size of this booklet is 4.25MB. If you have a dial-up connection
this download could take several minutes.

Resources - Shoreline Landscaping/Native Plants

Sensible Shoreline Development
A Guide for Shoreline Homeowners

Whether you're building a new home or modifying your existing developed property, the information in this brochure will help you make environmentally sound decsions that can help preserve the character and quality of the land and water that surround you.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

To download a free copy of this brochure click here.
(File size: 996 kb)

Turf Tips for the Homeowner
Maintaining Waterfront Turf to Preserve Water Quality

Whether you're building a new home or modifying your existing developed property, the information in this brochure will help you make environmentally sound decsions that can help preserve the character and quality of the land and water that surround you.

Produced by: Michigan State University Extention
                     Bulletin E11TURF - May 2002
                            www.turf.msu.edu

Price: Complimentary - Click here to download pdf of this document.

A Landscape of Home's & Wetlands
Developing & Marketing Properties while
Preserving Wetlands & Other Natural Features

This brochure showcases some of Michigan's premier developments designed with nature in mind. It describes the many opportunities available to realtors and home builders when selling and developing properties which contain wetlands and other sensitive natural features. Additionally, it highlights the laws that are in place to preserve these sensitive landscapes.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

Waterfront Landscapes
Designing Shoreline Greenbelts for Beauty & Water Quality

Whatever your reasons for owning and enjoying shoreline property, enhancing your waterfront landscape with a shoreline greenbelt may greatly increase the benefits you derive. This brochure helps you design a shoreline greenbelt for your property.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

To download a free copy of this brochure, click here.

Please note that the files size of this document is 3.36MB. If you are using a dial-up connection it may take several minutes to download.

Landscaping for Water Quality

The purpose of this booklet is to provide readers with the information needed to incorporate methods that enhance water quality when landscaping their property.

Produced by: Center for Environmental Study

Price: Complimentary

Fertilizing Tips for Lakefront Properties

This specific mixture of shoreline fertilizers was formulated with our northern lakes in mind and is phosphorus-free.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

To download a free copy of this flyer click here.
(File size: 1MB)

Landscape Alternatives for Invasive Plants of the Midwest

This colorful brochure lists several alternatives for each of the invasive species listed in this brochure, both native species, both native species and non-native species that currently show no sign of becoming invasive. A great companion for your next visit to the nursery.

Produced by: Midwest Invasive Plant Network

Price: Complimentary

Landscaping with Native Plants

Learn the difference between native and non-native plants and why we should use native plants in our landscaping. This brochure is full of helpful planning tips as well as an easily understandable plant list.

Produced by: EPA

Price: Complimentary

Northern Michigan's Native Plants

This brochure is a perfect companion for planning your landscape. View a full list of native trees, wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs. It also contains a list of non-native species that you need to avoid.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

To download a free copy of this flyer click here.
(File size: 241 kb)

Go Green! Create a lush lawn the natural way

Full of tips for going green when it comes to lawn care including fertilizing tips and more.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary

2012 Volunteer Stream Monitoring Report

This report highlights the health of the monitored rivers and streams within our service area.

Produced by: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Price: Complimentary