Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk

LAKE SHORELINES
Lake shorelines and riparian zones are important habitat for many species. Atlantic Coastal
Plain Flora grow in these areas, Eastern Ribbonsnakes feed and bask there, and Blanding’s
Turtles nest on their gravel slopes. People also love lake shorelines for activities such as
swimming and fishing. Together, there are many ways that people and species at risk can
share this habitat.
Sweet Pepperbush
Blanding’s Turtle
Mainland Moose
Pink Coreopsis
Preserve the natural vegetation along your lake shoreline.
The best and easiest thing you can do is let your lake shoreline be. The tidier your lake front area is,
the dirtier your lake will be. This is because the riparian and shoreline vegetation acts as a natural filter
and helps maintain high water quality by filtering out eroded soil, pollutants, and nutrients before they
enter the water. This vegetation also slows runoff, which helps to prevent erosion, flooding, and sediment
build-up. Modifying this area to suit your needs (for example, creating a small natural path) is well within
reason but it would be best to try and keep this area as natural as possible. At least 30 m (100 feet) of
natural vegetation from the lake shoreline is ideal (the more the better), but any amount is beneficial.
Allow your lake shoreline and riparian zone to grow back naturally and/or plant native
vegetation if your shoreline has already been cleared.
To encourage the reappearance of native plants spread a layer of leaves over your lawn or cleared area to
discourage grass growth and slowly observe the reappearance of other plants. To speed up the process
you can plant native plant species that would be found in your riparian zone (ask your local garden
center to supply native plant species). Areas with curvy instead of straight edges are more welcoming to
wildlife.
Use public access boat launches instead of creating a boat launch on your property.
Boat launches require extensive shoreline modification and a road down to the lake. Public access boat
launches are an easy way to get your boat in the water without impacting your shoreline. To increase the
length of the natural lake shoreline try to group shoreline, developments in one small region instead of
having them spread out.
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