How to protect or improve shoreland health

A healthy shoreland area plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy lake—it helps filter runoff, reduce erosion, support aquatic habitat, and buffer human impacts.

Upland and Shoreline Zones

• Don’t mow down to the shoreline. Leave an unmown buffer of at least 5 feet. Better yet, install a native plant buffer. Bonus: the vegetation may deter geese from hanging out in your yard.
• Plant native trees and shrubs. As they grow, they provide privacy, shade, and habitat.
• Replace turfgrass with native plants. Once established, native plants require less maintenance than turfgrass while providing attractive blooms and habitat for butterflies and birds. Visit BlueThumb.org for resources including plant lists, design templates, and a Plant Finder search tool.

Aquatic Zone

• Protect aquatic plants. Native aquatic plants are vital to lake and pond health, and removal is regulated by the DNR. Remove only what you need for open water access.
• Leave woody debris. These provide habitat for wildlife such as turtles, ducks, wading birds, and aquatic insects, such as dragonfly larvae.