Events

APPROVED 2026 SHORELAND MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS

A full text version of the approved Aitkin County Shoreland Management Ordinance can be found in its entirety online at:  https://www.co.aitkin.mn.us/ .  It is also available for public review at the Aitkin County Planning and Zoning Office at the Aitkin County Government Center during regular business hours.

TO REVIEW THE FINAL VERSION WITH CHANGES, CLICK HERE:

https://www.co.aitkin.mn.us/ordinances/pdf/shoreland2026amended.pdf

HEALTHY LAND, HEALTHY LAKE EXPO 2026

FREE EVENT
Saturday, May 2, 9 am to 1 pm
Tulibee Tavern, Wahkon, Minnesota

Love the Mille Lacs Lake Watershed area and want to help keep it healthy? Then join us for the annual Healthy Land, Healthy Lake Expo! Come and be inspired and learn what you can do to preserve and protect Mille Lacs Lake and its connecting rivers, wetlands and forests. Drop in any time, no registration required.

Flora and Fauna and Fish, OH MY!

This year’s Expo will feature more than 20 exhibitors, three guest speakers, a stewardship roundtable, fun prizes, and a variety of special activities covering topics such as water quality, clean lake initiatives, habitat protection for fish and wildlife, and practical steps landowners can take to conserve shorelines and natural resources. 

The Expo is funded in part by the Initiative Foundation, a regional foundation.

EXPO PLANT SALE SPECIAL FROM MNL! (ORDER DEADLINE APRIL 26)
Save $25 on a tray of 36 XL plant plugs when you order before April 26 for in-person pickup at the Expo. Tailor your plant selections to suit your location. Details and Pre-order Form here. (Not quite ready to decide? the MNL plant truck will be at the Expo!)

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Shoreline Stewardship Roundtable (12–1 pm): Discover native plants and shoreline restoration methods, connect with experts for advice, and share your own stories and experiences with others who are interested in conservation practices.
  • Trees and Native Plants for Sale: The MNL plant truck will offer a variety of native plants to help you get a jump start on this year’s planting and area SWCDs may bring tree seedlings to sell.
  • “Get the Lead Out” Tackle Exchange: Trade in your old lead fishing tackle for lead‑free lures and weights.
  • Free Nitrate Water Testing: Bring in a sample of your tap water and have it tested at the Mille Lacs SWCD table.1) Run cold tap water for 5-10 minutes. 2) Collect tap water in clean baggie or jar. 3) Keep tap water cool until arrival. 4) Bring to the Mille Lacs SWCD expo booth.
  • Keep It Clean/Mille Lacs Trash Tracker: Learn more about the Keep It Clean campaign and how to record a cleanup on the Mille Lacs Trash Tracker.
  • Mobile “Clean, Drain, Dry, Dispose” Boat-Cleaning Demonstration: See how specialized equipment helps prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

FREE PRIZE DRAWINGS
Sign up to win — winners will be announced at 11:50 a.m. Prizes include the following

  • A scenic flight around Mille Lacs Lake from Isle Airport
  • A play and stay package from Grand Casino Mille Lacs 
  • An outdoor item from Martz Welding
  • A Tulibee Tavern gift card and wearable
  • Maple syrup from Lemieux’s Sugar Shack
  • A subscription to Lake Country Journal Magazine, north central Minnesota’s premier lifestyle magazine. 

THREE GUEST SPEAKERS
9:15 am Sami Selter, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates, on the Lake Steward shoreline restoration program.
9:45 am Sheila Johnston, Minnesota Loon Rescue, on what to do if you encounter an injured or sick loon.
10:15 am Kayla Lenz, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, on walleye spawning habitat.

MORE THAN 20 EXHIBITORS

  • Aitkin County Lakes and Rivers Association
  • Aitkin County SWCD
  • Farm and Forest Growers Cooperative
  • Get the Lead Out tackle exchange
  • Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
  • Great Roots shoreline restoration
  • Isle Airport
  • Keep It Clean/Mille Lacs Trash Tracker
  • Milkweed Collections and information
  • Mille Lacs Area Community Foundation
  • Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe DNR
  • Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post
  • Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Group
  • Mille Lacs SWCD
  • Minnesota DNR Parks and Trails
  • MN Lakes and Rivers Advocates
  • Minnesota Loon Rescue
  • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
  • MNL (formerly Minnesota Native Landscapes)
  • Northern Waters Land Trust
  • Peter Willis, forester
  • Rum River Watershed Partnership