Score the Shore

Healthy shorelines are an important and valuable component of your lake. They provide critical habitat and water quality protection. Intensive shoreline development can result in reduced native vegetation, land erosion, and habitat loss.

Score the Shore is a protocol to assess the quality of your lake’s shoreline habitat. If done on a consistent basis (recommended every 5 years or so), you can document how this critical area may be changing through time. Check out our Score the Shore fact sheet to learn more.

Score the Shore documents your entire lake's shoreline by evaluating segments around the perimeter. Volunteers will need a canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or motor boat.

Details

• Cost to enroll: $30/ year

• Enrollment deadline: May 10, 2025

• Equipment requirements: N/A

• Time commitment: Volunteers can take as long as they need within one summer to conduct the Score the Shore protocol.

• Training requirement: Training for this parameter is required. See training details below. See training events here and watch the recorded phosphorus training videos below.

How do I conduct Score the Shore?

• Score the Shore Procedure

• Score the Shore Data Form

• Visit the Training Page for in-person and virtual training events.

Additional Information

• Score the Shore Fact Sheet