PLM Lake & Land Management

What PLM Lake & Land Management does

PLM Lake & Land Management Corp is a privately held, woman-owned service company founded in 1984 that delivers science-based aquatic and terrestrial vegetation management to lake associations, individual property owners, municipalities and government organizations, infrastructure and utility companies, and landowners and land managers across 13 US states spanning the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. The company is led by President & CEO Jason Broekstra, with long-tenured senior leadership including Vice President Patrick Selter (joined 1996) and Senior Vice President Robert Cernuda (joined 2000), and operates regional hubs in Morrice, Gaylord, Evart, and Alto (Michigan), Shakopee and Brainerd (Minnesota), and Georgetown (Southeast/Mid-Atlantic).

The company's service portfolio is organized into aquatic and terrestrial categories. Aquatic offerings include vegetation assessment and mapping, water quality monitoring, fisheries evaluation, vegetation management planning, aquatic invasive plant and algae control, lake depth and volume mapping, phosphorus mitigation, fountain installation and maintenance, aquatic plant harvesting, aeration, shoreline restoration, and drone services. Terrestrial offerings include vegetation assessments and mapping, invasive species management, selective timberland improvement, wildlife habitat enhancement, roadside vegetation management, utility line maintenance, bare ground maintenance, mechanical mowing and brushing, and drone services. Underlying technology includes GPS-guided spray systems on boats for precise herbicide application, drone-based aerial survey equipment, environmental monitoring tools, and proprietary methods for phosphorus mitigation and shoreline restoration, supported by partnerships with SePRO Corporation (aquatic herbicide supplier and applicator training) and Kasco (fountain and aeration equipment manufacturer).

Revenue is generated primarily through professional service contracts on a multi-year billing cadence, with quote-based pricing determined by waterbody size, treatment type, treatment frequency, and regional regulatory requirements. A secondary revenue stream comes from hardware and product sales of fountains, aeration systems, and related items through the company's online store. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via field sales representatives and free professional lake and pond evaluations as the primary lead acquisition tool, with supporting digital marketing across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. PLM holds no public funding, no disclosed institutional investment, and operates as an independent founder/management-owned company.

Name

PLM Lake & Land Management

Legal name

PLM Lake & Land Management Corp

Website

https://plmcorp.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

PLM Lake & Land Management Corp is a privately held, woman-owned service company founded in 1984 that provides science-based aquatic and terrestrial vegetation management, including invasive species control, water quality monitoring, and shoreline restoration, for lake associations, property owners, municipalities, and utilities across 13 US states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquatic and terrestrial vegetation management services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Farm Management Services (115116)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Irrigation Automation & Controls Services (SCADA, Sensors, Telemetry) (AFACAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water-Smart Irrigation & Water Stewardship (Drip/Micro, Scheduling, Water Harvesting) (AFAGAMAD), Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB), Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Compliance (BPAHAJAJ)

Keywords

• Aquatic vegetation management
• Invasive species control
• Lake management services
• Terrestrial vegetation management
• Water quality monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Brainerd

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aquatic Vegetation Management Services: Recurring service contracts for lake, pond, and waterway management including invasive plant control, algae treatment, and water quality services. Services are delivered by licensed, state-certified applicators operating across 13 states.
2. Terrestrial Vegetation Management Services: Land management services including invasive species control, roadside vegetation management, utility line maintenance, and timberland improvement for property owners, municipalities, and government clients.
3. Equipment and Product Sales: Sale of fountains, aeration systems, and related equipment along with product sales through the company store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PLM Lake & Land Management Corp is a science-based service company that delivers aquatic and terrestrial vegetation management services, including invasive plant and algae control, water quality monitoring, fisheries evaluation, phosphorus mitigation, aeration and fountain installation, shoreline restoration, drone-based assessment, and related equipment and product sales. The company serves lake associations, property owners, municipalities, government agencies, infrastructure and utility companies, and timberland managers across 13 US states using a fleet of state-certified licensed applicators.

Product overview

PLM Lake & Land Management is a science-based service company providing aquatic and terrestrial vegetation management services. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of services organized into two main categories: Aquatic Services (including vegetation assessment/mapping, water quality monitoring, fisheries evaluation, invasive plant and algae control, phosphorus mitigation, aeration, fountain installation, plant harvesting, shoreline restoration, and drone services) and Terrestrial Services (including vegetation assessments, invasive species management, timberland improvement, wildlife habitat enhancement, roadside and utility line vegetation management, drone services, bare ground maintenance, and mechanical mowing/brushing). The company operates as a service-based business delivering treatments and management programs rather than a software platform or product suite.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aquatic Vegetation Assessment and Mapping Survey and mapping of aquatic vegetation in lakes, ponds, and waterways to identify invasive species, native plant populations, and vegetation coverage areas.
• Water Quality Monitoring Testing and analysis of water parameters to assess ecosystem health and inform management decisions for lakes, ponds, and waterways.
• Fisheries Evaluation Assessment of fish populations and aquatic habitat conditions to support balanced ecosystem management in lakes and ponds.
• Vegetation Management Planning Development of strategic plans for managing aquatic plant growth and invasive species control in lakes, ponds, and waterways.
• Aquatic Invasive Plant and Algae Control Chemical and biological treatment services for controlling invasive aquatic plants and algae blooms in lakes, ponds, and waterways, delivered by state-certified applicators.
• Lake Depth and Volume Mapping Bathymetric survey services to determine lake depth contours and water volume data.
• Phosphorus Mitigation Treatment programs targeting internal phosphorus loading to improve water quality and reduce algal growth in lakes and ponds.
• Fountain Installation and Maintenance Installation and ongoing maintenance of aeration fountains for water circulation and aesthetic purposes in lakes and ponds, including equipment sales through the company store.
• Aquatic Plant Harvesting Mechanical removal of excessive aquatic vegetation using specialized harvesting equipment.
• Aeration Services Systems and services to increase oxygen levels in water bodies to support aquatic life and prevent stratification.
• Shoreline Restoration Natural shoreline stabilization and restoration services including bioengineering techniques and native plantings.
• Aquatic Drone Services Unmanned aerial survey and monitoring services for aquatic environments using drone technology for vegetation mapping, assessment, and monitoring.
• Terrestrial Vegetation Assessment and Mapping Survey and mapping of terrestrial vegetation and invasive plant species on land.
• Terrestrial Invasive Species Management Control and management programs for invasive terrestrial plant species on properties and rights-of-way.
• Selective Timberland Improvement Forestry management services for selective vegetation control and timberland health improvement.
• Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Services to improve and restore wildlife habitat through vegetation management on private and public lands.
• Roadside Vegetation Management Right-of-way vegetation control services for roadsides and transportation corridors.
• Utility Line Maintenance Vegetation management services for utility line corridors including clearing and ongoing maintenance.
• Terrestrial Drone Services Aerial surveying and treatment support services for terrestrial land management using drone technology.
• Bare Ground Maintenance Herbicide applications and vegetation control to maintain bare ground areas.
• Mechanical Mowing and Brushing Mechanical vegetation cutting and brush removal services for land management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Near-elimination of invasive Milfoil species and restoration of native plants resulting in improved fishing and water sports recreation

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.

• Aquatic Plant Management Society (APMS)coreOthersIndustry organization membership providing access to aquatic plant management research, best practices, and professional network. PLM engages with APMS as part of its industry organization memberships.
• Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society (MAPMS)coreOthersRegional industry organization membership for the Midwest region where PLM has significant operations (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan).
• Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates (MLSA)coreOthersState-specific advocacy organization in Minnesota where PLM has major operations and Patrick Selter is an active member.
• North American Lake Management Society (NALMS)coreOthersNational industry organization membership providing access to lake management research and professional development.
• Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation (AERF)minorOthersFoundation membership supporting research and restoration of aquatic ecosystems.
• RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)coreOthersIndustry association for manufacturers and distributors of professional landscape care and pest management products. PLM is a proud member.
• Better Business BureaumoderateOthersBBB accreditation demonstrating commitment to business ethics and customer satisfaction.
• Grand Rapids Chamber of CommercemoderateOthersLocal chamber membership supporting community engagement and business networking in Michigan where PLM has its longest operating history.
• University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (Citizens Advisory Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatrick Selter serves on the Citizens Advisory Board for the University of Minnesota's Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, providing industry perspective on research priorities.
• SePRO CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationSePRO is a key technology partner providing aquatic herbicide products. Patrick Selter received SePRO Corporation's 'Applicator of the Year' award, indicating a strong partnership. SePRO applicator training is part of PLM's certification programs.
• Indiana Water Monitoring CouncilminorOthersAshlee Haviland serves on the board, demonstrating professional engagement in water monitoring community.
• Indiana Lakes Management SocietyminorOthersAshlee Haviland is active in this state lake management organization, presenting and engaging with peers.
• Women of AquaticsminorOthersAshlee Haviland is active in this professional network supporting women in the aquatic management field.
• KascomoderateTechnology or IntegrationEquipment manufacturer partner. Robert Cernuda received Kasco Sales Growth Award in 2016 and 2021. Drew Baker is a Certified Kasco Repair Technician. Thomas Rapatz has completed Kasco fountain repair training.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lake & Wetland Management: Specialty provider of lake, pond, and wetland management services including aquatic vegetation control, algae treatment, and shoreline restoration. Operates a comparable service model and customer base to PLM across multiple US regions.
• SOLitude Lake Management: National provider of lake, pond, and watershed management services including aquatic weed control, algae management, aeration, and water quality monitoring. Closest direct competitor to PLM, serving similar lake associations, municipalities, and private property owners across a multi-state footprint.
• Aquatic Control Inc: Midwest-based provider of lake and pond management services including vegetation assessment, herbicide application, aeration, and fisheries management. Highly comparable to PLM in service mix and target customer profile (HOAs, municipalities, and private owners).

Others

• Kasco Marine: Manufacturer of aeration fountains and water circulation equipment that PLM sells, installs, and services. Drew Baker is a Certified Kasco Repair Technician and Robert Cernuda received Kasco Sales Growth Awards — making Kasco a key equipment partner rather than a competitor.
• SePRO Corporation: Manufacturer and supplier of aquatic herbicides and specialty products used by PLM and other lake management applicators. Listed as a key technology partner of PLM (Patrick Selter received SePRO 'Applicator of the Year'), serving as both supplier and ecosystem enabler rather than direct service competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Davey Tree Expert Co. Large established provider of tree care, utility vegetation management, and environmental services operating across the US. Overlaps with PLM's terrestrial services (roadside, utility line, timberland vegetation management) at scale but does not specialize in aquatic lake/pond management.
• Asplundh Tree Expert Co. Major national provider of vegetation management and right-of-way services for utilities and municipalities. Comparable to PLM's terrestrial division (roadside and utility line maintenance) but operating at far greater scale and without focus on aquatic management.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@PLMCorp/shorts
• Facebookfacebook.com/PLMCorpGreatLakes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plm-lake-and-land-management-corp
• Instagraminstagram.com/plmcorp/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@plmcorp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PLM Lake & Land Management