Shoreland Buffers help protect water quality by slowing runoff, reducing erosion, and filtering nutrients that can cause excessive aquatic vegetation and algal blooms. They add beauty and diversity to the landscape, attract wildlife and can deter nuisance species like Canada Geese.

Topics:
Why is a natural shoreland important?
How can I establish a shoreland buffer?
Do you have a problem with Canada Geese on your shoreland?
What's wrong with this picture?
Click here to see Local Shoreland Buffers

Links:
It's Rough to Have Ridges - Living with Ice Ridges on Your Shoreline
Landscaping with Native Plants - MN DNR

Did you know that natural vegetation, with its long roots, has the tensile strength of concrete?

These native plants can work to purify the rain water before it enters the lake.

NO MOW, LET IT GROW!

Why is a natural shoreland important?

Undeveloped or restored shorelines carpeted by woods, meadows, or marshes enhance the quality of Minnesota’s lakes and rivers, as well as our recreational opportunities. If you’re lucky enough to have shoreland that hasn’t been developed, think before you clear it. If your property has already been altered, there are steps you can take to have a more natural shoreland. Natural shorelines help protect water quality by slowing runoff, reducing erosion, and filtering nutrients that can cause algal blooms. They also provide habitat for wildlife and can deter nuisance species like Canada geese. Natural shorelines add beauty and color to property, increase privacy, and can reduce the amount of time you spend on lawn care! By improving water quality, habitat, and appearance, a natural shoreland can even improve your property value.

How can I establish a shoreland buffer?

The easiest approach to establishing a buffer strip is simply to do nothing. If you stop mowing, weeding, and raking your shoreland area, many native plants will likely reestablish. Plants such as spike rush, sedges, and arrowhead have become established on some shorelines when people stopped cutting and raking. Another option is to actively restore the site by replanting native vegetation in the water and on the adjacent land.

There are four steps to restore your shore:

1. Start by assessing your site and the different ways you use it (e.g., swimming, making campfires, docking your boat).
2. Carefully plan your project and prepare the site.
3. Select and plant appropriate native plants.
4. Maintain the area so the plants become well established.

Do you have a problem with Canada Geese on your shoreline?

As magnificent as these big birds are, they can be a nuisance for lakeshore owners.  The geese prefer short lawn grass, which attract them to golf courses and mowed lakeshore lawns.  These areas provide feeding sites with an open view to see potential predators and access to water to escape dangers.  Canada Geese are highly social birds that congregate in large groups.  Unfortunately, where there are large flocks of geese, there are large amounts of droppings, which create a water quality concern.

Goose dropping may contain some of the parasites and bacteria that affect humans, although actual infections are rare.  Goose feces do contain nitrogen and therefore, they can increase the algal blooms in the water.

What can you do to discourage the geese from congregating on your lawn?  You can plant native grasses and wildflowers that grow 20 to 30 inches tall along the shoreland.  This is considered an effective, long-term and environmentally sound method of reducing goose problems, since the geese avoid areas where plants and grass obstruct their view of the surrounding area.

What's wrong with this picture?

The rain water runs from this well fertilized, well manicured lawn directly into the lake.  The fertilizer works on aquatic vegetation too, causing increased weed growth.

Lakes Area Clean Waters Council
email us at: info@dropstopabsorb.org