Minnesota Lakes & Rivers - Protection & Education

Leading the Way in Lake and River Protection: Minnesota’s Top Advocate for 30 Years

Since 1993, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers (MLR) has been the leading advocate for protecting and restoring Minnesota’s lakes and rivers by uniting lakeshore communities and promoting civic governance of Minnesota's precious waterways.

MLR is dedicated to enhancing the civic infrastructure and vision needed to preserve Minnesota’s cultural heritage, lake by lake by lake. With a strong history of collaboration with tribal governments, state and local officials, and community stakeholders, we focus on civic leadership development, secure funding for water quality initiatives and research, and align resources to address the most urgent threats to our lakes and rivers, delivering tangible improvements in water quality and habitat protection.

Your support empowers us to continue this crucial work, tackle emerging challenges, and sustain local lake conservation efforts that build civic pride and deepen the connection to our waters. Unlike forestry or agriculture, there is no "Department of Lakes and Rivers" in Minnesota—no single entity funneling resources into protecting water quality. With numerous jurisdictions involved in water management, it’s up to all of us to work together. Our solutions rest on three essential pillars: advancing targeted scientific research and proposing solutions to pressing issues, educating and equipping Minnesota's broad base of Lake Stewards, and fostering the civic engagement necessary to drive lasting change. 

How Your Donation Helps:

• Lake Steward Program: Your funds support training, resources, and staff for the Lake Steward Program that leads local shoreline restoration projects with hands-on guidance and tailored expertise.

• Empowering Leaders and Educating Communities: Your donations support training for local leaders and fund targeted educational campaigns on water quality, invasive species, and shoreline management, equipping communities with essential knowledge and tools.

• Enhancing Infrastructure and Securing Grants: Contributions upgrade our communication technology and outreach capabilities, helping us secure state and federal grants to advance and sustain our impactful education campaigns and conservation efforts.