Native vegetation along the lakeshore provides habitat for wildlife, filters pollution out of stormwater runoff, and enhances the natural scenic beauty of Wisconsin’s waters. In the last 10 years, the notion to turn away from manicured lake lawns for a more natural lake-friendly landscape has really taken “root.” With the help of state grants, local incentive programs and technical assistance, lake shores throughout Wisconsin are undergoing a significant change for the better.

To help gauge this renaissance, I conducted an unscientific and informal poll of my co-workers and partners asking, “What is the biggest shoreline restoration project in the state?” Of course “biggest” can be judged many ways. The table below summarizes the results but as you will see, each project has unique features that make them all winners.

Green Lake

The Green Lake Association (GLA) began their Revitalization of Shoreland Vegetation Project (RSVP) in 1999 with a start-up grant from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The program has no minimum size requirements for participation; landowners are free to determine how much of their lake front will be “naturalized.” Financial assistance is capped at $1,000 per property and requires the landowner to sign a 10-year maintenance agreement. GLA also certifies landscapers and lawn and tree care companies in shoreland restoration. Add the Green Lake Conservancy Foundation’s 15 protected properties with 15,000 feet of water frontage to the total and nearly 20% of Green Lake’s 21 miles of shoreline are being conserved.
www.greenlakeassociation.com/gla/RSVPProgram.html.

Bony Lake

Bony Lake, by most measures, can make a legitimate claim to the title with their ambitious effort. Spearheaded by lake resident and WAL Director Carol LeBreck, with technical assistance from Bayfield County Land and Water Conservation Department, the project’s eye-popping characteristic is its aggressive use of placing wood in the lake to improve aquatic habitat. You can tell Carol is an avid fisherperson. As the smallest lake in the sample at 191 acres, the project has a big relative impact with 1/6 of the total shoreline restored and more coming.
www.bonylakewi.org/blwlrp6.html

Rock Lake

Rock Lake’s claim to the title consists of one large parcel of former farmland that became Korth County Park. Jefferson County Water Resources Management Specialist Patricia Cicero noted that, in many places, the restored vegetative area extends several hundred feet inland. The project consists of 12,983 native flowers and grasses, 780 shrubs (8 species), 60 trees (14 species), and was supported by 286 volunteer hours. Perhaps there should be a category for individual parcel.
www.co.jefferson.wi.us/jc/public/jchome.php?page_id=651

Found Lake

The Found Lake project is the first step of the Wisconsin Lakeshore Restoration Project led by DNR Research Scientist Michael Meyer. The Vilas County Land and Water Conservation Department sponsors much of the work with cost-share dollars and technical assistance in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The Found Lake sites are part of this larger study which is conducting a long-term research effort that includes additional sites on other nearby lakes. They are evaluating different restoration techniques as well as monitoring changes in wildlife usage. Nine of the 14 properties are incorporating various bio-engineering techniques including biologs, sediment logs, EnviroLok bagsTM, as well as water diversions and rain gardens. A companion research project is being planned to look at what effects restoration has on the quality of stormwater runoff. http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/success/2009/foundlake.htm

You can see that each effort excels in different ways. It was a fun, friendly little competition that will expand in the future as the number of shoreland restoration projects continues to grow each year. Contact me to report on your project, or for more information about shoreland restoration in Wisconsin.

By Carroll Schaal,
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Carroll.Schaal@wi.gov

Natural resource and communication professionals from Burnett County, UW-Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have been exploring how lakeshore property owners think about having a more natural shoreline and what is preventing residents from managing their shorelands in a more lake-friendly manner. Based on focus groups and surveys of property owners at Long and Des Moines lakes in Burnett County, the authors identified six main concerns residents have about allowing a more natural shoreline on their land, and identified solutions for respecting property owners’ priorities while also promoting the long-term health of their lakes. Although the issues highlighted below come from people with property in Northwest Wisconsin, it is believed that many of these concerns will be relevant to property owners across the state.

Watching Kids Swim

One of the highest rated barriers to restoring buffers was an obstructed view of the lake and a reduced ability to see children or grandchildren while they are playing in or near the water. One option to address this concern is the strategic planting of low growing native shrubs and grasses that still provide a view of the lake and the ability to watch over their children. With a little research, parents and grandparents can learn how to get the best of both worlds on their property - a clear view of their children to assure their safety along with a more natural shoreline to protect water quality and natural habitat.

Life’s a Beach and We Like It

Another significant concern expressed was the perception that having natural shoreline plants would prevent their property from having a sandy beach. While that may be true for very extensive beaches, statewide standards allow for a 35 foot access corridor and use area. It is important for lakeshore property owners to realize they can strike a balance between their desire to recreate by the water and protect the quality of their lake.

Ticked Off by Ticks

One concern about maintaining a natural shoreline was that people were worried that having a buffer would increase the prevalence of nuisance insects such as ticks. Including the use of mulched paths or mulched yard edges, which ticks avoid, can help people prevent ticks on their property and encourage more natural lake shorelines.

Protect the Habitat of Your Favorite Animals

Another area we examined was what wildlife people enjoy seeing most, with the intent of explaining how specific native plants and natural habitat contribute to the well-being of their favorite animals. Surveys in Burnett County indicated that eagles and loons were animals people wanted to see more abundantly around their properties. Some lamented the loss of lake frogs and wished more were around for the kids to enjoy. Knowing specific types of habitat that will attract birds, frogs or other desired lakeshore animals (for optimum nesting and survival of their young) may encourage some property owners to protect specific sites or habitat features.

Duck…Duck…GOOSE?

Most of the lakeshore property owners we interviewed really like wildlife. On the other hand, most said they are not interested in attracting certain kinds of animals to their property – most notably geese. Many property owners are okay with watching geese fly overhead or swim in the water, but they do not like them congregating on their lawns and leaving nasty green goose droppings. Lawn-loving geese will be deterred from spending too much time on shoreline property with areas of 20 to 30 inch tall vegetation because they fear that natural shoreline vegetation may harbor predators.

Not Everyone Likes the Wild Look

Part of our research also looked at how people wanted their lakeshore property to look. We wanted to know whether some people were more willing to just “let it be” and allow natural, native vegetation to take over or whether property owners preferred a look that was more clearly controlled. Not surprisingly, some liked to let native vegetation just “go wild” while others liked to be much more in control of the vegetation on their property. Fortunately, there are lake-friendly options for both. Expert advice and educational materials on lakeshore landscaping plans can show how to let more natural elements emerge in the shoreline area while allowing some flexibility to plant native shrubs in an organized manner to fit a more manicured yard. Many property owners are surprised at how elegant planned plots of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers can look in their yards.

For more information on this project, contact John Haack by telephone at 715-635-7406 or by e-mail at john.haack@ces.uwex.edu.

By John Haack, Basin Educator,
UW-Extension and Bret Shaw, Environmental Communication Specialist, UW-Extension