| 2004 Reader Survey
In the Summer 2004 issue of The Lake Steward, we asked for your feedback on everything from article topics to water quality to the state of your lake. Responses came in by mail and through our online survey and we thank everyone who took time to give us this feedback.
Here’s what we heard...
Better Choices, Better Stewardship
The majority of respondents said they’ve made better choices in the way they do things around their home and lake as a result of what they’ve read in The Lake Steward. They’ve also shared information with family, friends and relatives about stewardship. Readers consistently listed reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, using organic alternatives, or eliminating them all together as a change they’ve made.
People also cited making landscaping changes to discourage geese and improve lake habitat, controlling aquatic weeds, and increasing the use of native plants in landscaping. Fertilizer was identified by readers as the element they believe to have the highest impact on water quality. Auto fluids, pesticides, development and septic system failure – in that order – also received high ratings.
Water Quality & Monitoring
More than two-thirds of respondents indicated that they found the water quality monitoring updates “very” or “somewhat” useful. And 83 percent of respondents said they felt that monitoring lake water quality was very important in protecting the environment.
Not surprisingly, reader's answers varied when asked if their lake’s water quality was improving, declining or staying the same. We encourage you to review the annual data for your lake, to compare actual data against your perception of the water quality. Our annual report is due out by the end of the year.
Future Newsletters
About two-thirds of respondents said they'd prefer receiving the newsletter by mail. However, in 2005 the Lake Stewardship Program will be cutting back publication costs. Beginning in January 2005, check our Web site for lakeside living information and articles.
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