Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional Training and Certification Program

When:
Two days of in-class instruction: March 19 - March 20, 2025
Natural Shoreline Installation Field day: June 10, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day

Where:
March 19 - 20: Two-day in-class training
Lake St Clair Metropark, Thomas Welsh Activity Center
31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township, MI 48045

June 10: Field Day
Stony Creek Metropark Nature Center
4300 Main Park Rd., Shelby Township MI  48316

The Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership is pleased to offer the 2025 Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional (MCNSP) Training and Certification Program. There will be two days of classroom instruction and one-day field exercise for professional landscape, natural resource, and marine contractors to design, implement and maintain natural shoreline landscapes on inland lakes. 

Requirements to become certified as a MNSP Certified Natural Shoreline Professional:

• Attendance at both days of classroom instruction 
• Participation in the one-day field exercise in which participants install a natural shoreline landscape on an inland lake property.
• Completion of the online certification exam

Topics included in the classroom instruction: 

• Introduction to inland lake shoreline ecology and development
• Characteristics and benefits of natural shorelines
• Shoreline landscaping with native plants
• Methods, techniques and design of bioengineered shoreline erosion control
• Designing, monitoring and maintaining a natural shoreline landscape
• Water law and shoreline project permits

The program includes park entry, lunch, snacks and a copy of the Certified Natural Shoreline Professional Training manual.

Certification: Participants must complete both the two-day classroom training (March 19-20), pass the online exam, and participate in the hands-on field day (June 10) to become a Certified Natural Shoreline Professional. Certification is valid for three years. Recertification requires a recertification fee.

Benefits of becoming a MCNSP:

• Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional identifies you as a professional trained in the use of "green" landscaping technologies and bioengineered erosion control for the protection of Michigan inland lakes. MCNSP is approved by the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership and recognized by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
• Your name and contact information can be posted on the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership website where clients can locate a certified contractor.
• You will receive in-depth training on the State of Michigan's permit requirements and process for soft shoreline construction.

Cost: $395

Seating is limited to 60 participants. Deadline to register is March 7, 2025.

Individuals that register and pay for the class and later find they are unable to attend the training may request a refund of fees. A registration may be transferred to another individual at the same business. In either case, participants must contact Cathy Morris as soon as possible at morri735@msu.edu or at 248-858-1639 so open seats may be offered to others.

• You can get a full refund if you cancel on or before March 7, 2025. 
• You can receive a partial refund minus a $100 cancellation fee  if you cancel between March 8 and March 12, 2025. 
• No refunds will be issued on or after March 13, 2025.