Shoreline Restoration Using Native Plants
Shoreline protection and an understanding of how it affects waterways is critical for wildlife habitat for a variety of species including spawning fish, naturalize-shoreline aquatic insects,turtles and nesting waterfowl. Shoreline vegetation also helps protect water quality.
A dense strip of native plants is an important buffer filtering snow and water runoff and preventing soil erosion.
Experts agree that re-creating cottage shorelines with native vegetation is the best solution for water quality and long-term shoreline stability.
This would be the way nature kept shorelines stable and our lakes and streams clean long before the impacts of human development. (source: Haliburton County Master Gardeners)
So next time you have the urge to cut the grass or clean up the natural brush growing along your shoreline, relax, head down to the dock and take in the beauty of our lakes while waiting for a better idea to come to mind. It will be good for your soul and the health of our lakes!
Read more about Healthy Shorelines and Lake Health Improvement here