Native Plant Buffers Can Filter Rain Water, Stabilize Your Shoreline, and Protect the Lake
Why native plants?
Deep Roots: Native plant roots create a dense and strong system that will hold soil in place. Normal turf grass roots are generally shallow and cannot hold soil in place against wave and ice action. Native plants have additional benefits!
Clean Water: Native Plants help rain water soak into the soil and filter out pollutants.
Provide Habitat: Bees, Butterflies, and other wildlife use the plants for their nectar, pollen, and seeds.
Enjoy a Low-Maintenance Landscape.
Native plants help slow down incoming waves and reduce soil erosion. Once established, native plants do not require watering, fertilizer, pesticides, and lawn maintenance equipment.
Native plants also can provide color throughout the season and come in a variety of sizes and textures that will enhance the beauty of your property.
We Can Help with Shoreline Plantings
Financial and technical assistance may be available to help landowners implement projects to manage stormwater runoff and control soil erosion. For information, call your county’s soil & water conservation district:
Aitkin SWCD: 218-927-7284
Mille Lacs SWCD: 320-983-2160
Crow Wing SWCD: 218-828-6197
Learn More About Plantings and Managing Runoff
The following short articles from our Learn More page provide additional information about the impact of rain gardens and plantings. Click a title to download a pdf.
Start Enjoying the Benefits of Native Trees! (February, 2021)
Salt-Tolerant Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, and Herbaceous Grasses (January, 2021)
Native Shoreline Plants (April, 2019)
Ready to Plant? (June, 2019)
Why Should I Care About Runoff? (March, 2019)
Trees – Partners in Watershed Health (October, 2018)
Is it Time to Think About Spring & Summer Flowers Yet? (January, 2018)
Five Ways to Reduce Nutrients in Lakes & Streams (January, 2017)
Visit The Ultimate Guide on Water Conservation: How To Save Every Drop to learn about how you can reduce water use in your home and other conservation steps.
Learn More About Shoreline Plantings
Plantings
Start Enjoying the Benefits of Native Trees! (February, 2021)
Salt-Tolerant Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, and Herbaceous Grasses (January, 2021)
Native Shoreline Plants (April, 2019)
Ready to Plant? (June, 2019)
Trees – Partners in Watershed Health (October, 2018)
Is it Time to Think About Spring & Summer Flowers Yet? (January, 2018)
Managing Runoff
Why Should I Care About Runoff? (March, 2019)
Five Ways to Reduce Nutrients in Lakes & Streams (January, 2017)