Landscape and marine contractors can become Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professionals
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EmailNatural shoreline certification training program offered in Van Buren and Oakland Counties in February 2013.
Are you looking for ways to expand business services at the water’s edge? The Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership (MNSP) is pleased to announce that registration is open for its 2013 Certified Natural Shoreline Professional training courses. As a founding member of the MNSP, Michigan State University Extension provides educational leadership for this program.
Designed for professional marine and landscape contractors working on inland lakes, Certified Natural Shoreline Professional (CNSP) equips you with the knowledge needed to expand your business to better serve lakefront property owners looking for alternatives to sea walls, rock and turf to the water’s edge. Through classroom and field sessions you will learn:
- The relationship between lakes and their shorelines
- Characteristics of shoreline soils, plants and ecosystems (including native plant communities)
- Michigan water law and how to complete a successful permit application
- How to assess a shoreline property for problems and potential
- Methods, techniques and designs for natural shoreline landscaping and bioengineered (plant-based) erosion control
Shoreline development on inland lakes is often accompanied by the removal of plants, shrubs and trees (vegetative tiers) to create lawns, foot paths, storage areas and lake views. Wetland and lake bed areas are also lost to these construction activities. Loss of native vegetation can result in the need for shoreline hardening to control erosion from waves and ice – usually in the form of vertical sea wall or rock rip rap. These practices can destroy shoreline and near shore habitat for many kinds of fish, birds and other animals.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) encourages the use of natural shoreline techniques for shoreline protection. Natural shoreline landscaping and erosion control seek to protect or enhance upland, near shore and aquatic habitats. CNSP trains participants to approach a shoreline project with these zones in mind and develop a design that balances lake access, views and aesthetics with shoreline stabilization and habitat restoration.
Certification is through the MNSP. To receive certification, one must:
- Attend all three days of classroom instruction
- Participate in a one-day, hands-on field construction project
- Pass the certification exam. Continuing education credits are required to maintain certification.
Registration is $375.00 and includes four days of classroom and field instruction, certification exam, lunches and training manual. Register soon as seating is limited. For a video about the program, information on the benefits of becoming a CNSP and a link to the registration form for either location click here. If you have questions about the program please contact Jane Herbert at jherbert@anr.msu.edu or 269-383-8852.
