Before we began building cabins and homes along our lakes and rivers,
native plants, trees and shrubs acted as filters and held the soil in
place. Natural shorelines protected water quality, provided habitat
for wildlife and deterred nuisance species like Canada geese.
Gradually, green lawns, thought to be more beautiful, began
replacing native plants and shrubs. The change in vegetation
eventually led to soil erosion and had a negative impact on water
quality.
Just as gradually, our perception of beauty and, today, a new sense
of stewardship of land and water is encouraging property owners to
return all or parts of their shoreline to a more natural state.
Landowners, as well our lakes and streams, benefit from this change
in approach to shoreland management. Sustainable landscapes protect
water quality by reducing erosion, slowing water runoff from rain and
snow, reducing or eliminating herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers
from runoff, conserving native plants and providing habitat for animals.
For the lakeshore owner, a well-landscaped natural shoreline is
economical as well as ecological. It means less time spent mowing,
disposing leaves or grass clippings and fertilizing. Less energy and
money are spent on maintenance and more leisure time is gained, a
winning combination. A natural shoreline preserves the beauty and
improves the value of shoreline property.
If you are interested in either starting or continuing a shoreland
naturalization project, a variety of resources are available to you.
Beltrami County residents have an incredible resource in the Beltrami
Soil and Water Conservation District. SWCD’s stated mission is
“to provide comprehensive soil and water conservation services to
private landowners in Beltrami County.” A variety of services are
available, some free, some for a fee. Services range from suggestions
for suitable native plants and where to get them, to consultation and
design services in developing a shoreline re-vegetation plan tailored
to your property from start to finish, to implementation and
maintenance of the restored shoreline. Look at their website at
www.beltramiswcd.org/ for more resources, projects and services. The
SWCD may be contacted at 755-4339 or 3217 Bemidji Ave. N.
The University of Minnesota Extension Service website has among its
many sources of information a 15-minute video that discusses the
value of shoreland restoration may be found at this website:
www.extension.umn.edu/Shoreland/videos/Restoration.html
SULIS, the Sustainable Urban Landscape Information is loaded with
information to help you develop your own plans. It provides
illustrated solutions to shoreland problems including sections on
design, plant selection and implementation of the restoration plan.
www.sustland.edu
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has additional internet
sources at www.dnr.state.mn.us/shorelandmgmt/index.html. The DNR has
also developed an instructional CD, Restore Your Shore, for shoreland
owners as well as professionals to use in developing and implementing
shoreland projects. It may be purchased from Minnesota’s Bookstore
by calling 800-657-3757.
And, the Minnesota Shoreland Management Resource Guide website
provides “access to information about sustainable shoreland
practices.” The website has a number of resources including in-depth
information and resource contacts for each Minnesota county at
www.shorelandmanagement.org/overview/index.html.
If you want a book in hand, check out your local public library where
you can also use one of the computers for internet research. Videos
on the subject are also available. Returning all or part of your
shoreline to a natural state benefits everyone who enjoys our lakes
and streams. Being green isn’t just for Kermit the Frog.
For local assistance, call the Master Gardener Voice Mail, 444-1796,
leaving your name, number, and the nature of your query. A Master
Gardener will call you.
Mary Lou Marchand
Beltrami County Master Gardener
