LAKESCAPING FOR WILDLIFE AND WATER QUALITY Lakescaping Definition Landscaping in areas that are lake front properties Affects of Managing Lakeshore Fisheries Wildlife Non-native plants and wildlife control Water quality Use of native plants Landscape design Forest management Aquatic plants management Management of swimming beaches Watershed management Lawn and garden management Control of shoreline erosion Involvement in Shoreline Activity Local County State Federal Zoning regulations, laws, and permits Topics Life at the water’s edge The lake ecosystem Solving lakeshore problems with buffer zones Designing lakeshore landscapes Site preparation and plant installation Maintenance Shoreline stabilization Good stewardship practice Lakescaping examples Life at the Water’s Edge Buffer Zone-extends 25 to 100ft above shoreline The Lake Ecosystem Watershed Lake River Stream Wetlands Lakeshore is one of the most biological diverse natural communities Interaction between • Soil • Water • Air Long term stability and water quality Vegetation Profile Habitat Nesting & Nursery area Cover Wildlife Aquatic Feeding Food web Lake Chemistry Cycles Biological Chemical • Phosphorus-limiting factor • Oxygen Atmosphere Aquatic plants Physical • Water transparency Interdependent • When one changes it affects the others Solving Lakeshore Problems with Buffer Zones Problems with groomed lakeshore Erosion and sedimentation Sandy beach maintenance Excessive plant growth and algal blooms Loss of wildlife habitat Nuisance animals Loss of leisure time Buffer Zone Definition Is a natural strip of vegetation along at least 75% of a property frontage Vegetation used to create a buffer zone Native trees Shrubs Wildflowers (forbs) Grasses Sedges on land Emergent, floating and submergent aquatic plants Designing Lakeshore Landscape Consideration Climate Water Soil Plants Animals Lakescaping Vs. Landscaping Differences Lakescaping • First assesses the growing environment • Then selects plants to grow in that conditions • Preference to native plants Thrive in specific soils, moisture, and light conditions Do not require supplemental water, fertilizer, pesticides or excessive labor Landscaping • First selects a plant for color, fragrance, or characteristic • Then alters growing environment Needs fertilizer, pesticides and supplemental water Steps Develop a plant list Consider you needs and desires Draw a base map Create space by designing outdoor rooms Design specific plantings Developing a plant list Native landscaping in area Properties Soil – sandy, rocky, mucky, etc Light conditions – full sun, part sun, or shady Moisture Slope Take photo of other areas for ideas Considering your Needs and Wants What Site inventory What do you need in your landscape Utility requirements What are the characteristics of your site do you want in your landscape Recreation desired What can you do to improve the environment and water quality Drawing a Base Map Draw you property Measure dimensions Buildings- windows and doors Driveways and walkways Landscape Plot all measurement on large sheet of graph paper Suggested scale 1”=4’, 1”=8’, or 1”=16’ Creating Space by Designing Outdoor Rooms Outdoor room – is an area in you landscape that accommodates your activities Create with wall of The Floor being Trees Shrubs Wildflowers Fence or other structure Lawn Patio or Deck Consider ceiling An Outdoor Room Consult State natural resources agency (DEQ) Minimum requirements • Buffer zone • Permits Michigan’s wetland regulatory program • Wetland Protection Act • Clean Water Act Permit Standards • Public Interest Test • Acceptable Disruption to Aquatic Resource Test • Wetland Dependency / Alternatives Analysis Test Common Law Local Regulations Laws Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Subdivision Control Act Michigan Environmental Protection Act Michigan Endangered Species Act Flood Plain Regulatory Act Inland Waters Shorelands Protection and Management Sand Dunes Protection and Management Designing Specific Planting Aquatic Buffer Zone Emergent plants Submerged plants Floating plants • Absorb wave energy, hold fine sediments in place, and provide food and shelter for many fish and wildlife species Upland Buffer Zone Herbaceous plantings Woody Plantings • Protects the lake by filtering nutrients, leaves, and holds the bank soils in place Emergent Plants Grow in large colonies Once established will spread Establish 2 to 3 species in large groups Grasses Sedges Forbs Will move to where they are best suited Arrange Grasses Inter-planted with wildflowers Herbaceous Low-growing, non-woody, leafy, ground layer plant Sedges – triangular stem grass-like plants Grasses Wildflowers • Plant grass and sedges approximately 3ft between individual plants • Place wildflowers between the space of grasses and sedges Woody Trees and shrubs Shrubs • Space 6ft between each shrub • Do not place any close then 2ft from grasses and sedges Shrubs can be planted right up to lakes edge without obscuring view Design a filter or framed view • Add trees where need if desired Make sure you take in consider shade tolerance species for planting if using trees Budget Money and Time by Planting in Intervals Lakeshore Transformation 1 Lakeshore Transformation 2 Lakeshore Transformation 3 Site Preparation & Plant Installation Sourced of Native Plants Nurseries Contract Growers Diggings from the wild Rescue plants from the blade of bulldozers Propagation of seeds Cuttings Rootstock Planting Costs Nurseries Rules Purchase local-origin plants from local nurseries • Not more then 200 miles away Make sure plants bought are not collected from the wild Contract Growing Order them 3 to 6 months in advance Necessary for large quantities Typically half-down payment is required Investment is worth the timely delivery of the plants you desire Digging From the Wild Digging is destructive Robbing plants of their natural beauty Opens soil • Creating a seed bed for invasive weeds Reduces reproductive potential Digging some plants is illegal Transplants are difficult to establish Do collect seeds and propagate Seed collect is illegal on public property Rescuing Plants from the Blade of the Bulldozer Thousands of native plants are destroyed each year by construction Permission to harvest is required Must plant in a bed immediately Best dug in the spring or fall, when cool In mid summer • Cut aboveground stems in half to reduce the amount of leaf surface that loses water • Keep transplants out of the sun after digging • Keep exposed roots wet Aquatic plants need DNR permits Propagation from Seed Collect seed in the summer and fall Propagate wildflower and grasses indoors over the winter Obtain permission from appropriate agencies to collect seeds on state land or from landowner on private property Cuttings Lakeshore shrubs Propagated from twig cuttings • Taken in spring • Before leaving Examples • Willows • Red-osier dogwood Rootstock Portions of the root system without stems and leaves Purchase fewer plants with larger sizes Clean of seed and plant fragments So as not to introduce invasive species Planting Costs Wildflower and grass plugs 6-12 plants Woody bare-root plant in spring $40 per 1000ft² Small live plants -- $600 per 1000ft² Prairie kits $8 per shrub and trees Wet-meadow seed mix $1 a plant $225 per 1000ft² Prairie grasses and wildflowers large areas $1700 to $10,000 per acre Turf vs. Prairie Purple Loosestrife Common Buckthorn Site Preparation Crown Vetch Eliminate invasive weeds Reed canary grass, purple loosestrife, crown vetch, and common buckthorn • Takes time and persistence Reed Canary Grass Site Preparation Eliminate turf Organic herbicides – scythe or superfast weed killer • Require permit from DEQ to apple herbicide • 10 to 14 days for sod to die • Spot spray for at least to 2 day before planting Remove sod with gas-powered sod cutter • Labor intensive Smother lawn • black polyethylene plastic, old carpet shower curtains, or layer of newspaper or cardboard • Takes all growing season – 5 to 6 months Site Preparation Soil preparation Live plants • Elimination sod and invasive plant for • Nothing else for native plants Planting Tips Keep planting affordable Divide master plan into small sections and plant over 5 to 6 year period Plant emergent and floating plants in the spring-when water levels are low Label plants Cut a thin slice into root mass to simulate growth Soak containerized plants before taking them out to plant Installing Wide but not deep hole Create a mound of soil Dig wide enough to speed roots Planting Tips Bare-roots Wash roots Plant before they leaf out and temp. moderate Cover with damp straw, compost, soil or wet burlap Avoid burying plants too deep or to shallow After planting water thoroughly Planting in lake need to be anchored to prevent wash away Exception to the rule of not adding soil amendments Shady upland • 3 to 6 inches of compost or manure Seeding Tips Within 15ft of lakeshore do not seed use living plants – soil erosion Above 15ft seed and use cover crop of rye, oats, or mixed seed On shallow slopes and flat grades place a light application of straw – prevent erosion Keep new seedings moist Most perennial species are slow to establish – have patience Planting are difficult to differ from weeds – learn to identify native plant seedlings The “No Planting” Technique Mowing and competition keep native plant from growing Stop mowing up to lake shore Above 15ft kill lawn with herbicide-next to native plants • Kill grass 5ft to 10ft at a time Allowing for native plant to take over This will not work in areas with invasive species Buckthorn, reed canary grass, crown vetch, and smooth brome Mulching Prevent soil erosion Keeps weed from germinating Holds in moisture Maintenance Maintaining Aquatic plants Maintaining Onshore plantings First season Second season Long term maintenance – 3 years and beyond Replacement Maintaining Aquatic Plants The trick is getting them established not long-term maintenance Secure plants Replant and anchor if uprooted or washed away Some species will come back on their own Maintaining Onshore Plantings First season Benefit from supplemental watering • Need 1in of water per week Keep weeds out • Once every two weeks Look out for invasive species • Pull out will young Use mulch Do not fertilize Do not use insecticides and fungicides Maintaining Onshore Plantings Second season Water only during drought periods Scout for weeds once every three weeks • Dig out the roots of unwanted trees In spring cut back dried herbaceous vegetation In fall leave dried vegetation Maintaining Onshore Plantings Long-term maintenance (+3years) Beginning of each season cut back dried vegetation Scout for weeds once a month No watering is necessary Leave dried vegetation standing in fall Replacement A few plants will not make it through the first year In large gaps replant quickly – erosion A continuous vegetative cover is the goal Expect your lakeshore planting to change over time Enjoy Shoreline Stabilization Bioengineering Stabilizes bank Uses living materials • Creates habitat • Self repairing cheaper Methods Below Normal Water Line – breaking devices Plant – anchoring methods Wave Methods above Normal Water Line Slop preparation Cut back to get 2:1 (horizontal to vertical) slope Erosion – control fabrics Revetments Rock Riprap Wattles Live stakes Willow Post Brush Layers Brush Mattresses Revetments Rock Riprap Wattles Live stakes Willow Post Brush Layers Brush Mattresses Vegetation Ice Action Depends on Wind direction Ice thickness Lake level Other factors Land ridge Leave in place • Filters runoff from the yard • Covered in vegetation – removal will expose the shoreline to erosion Cost Estimates Good Stewardship Practices IT ALL RUNS DOWN HILL Storm drains Gullies Swales Tiles Ditches Use buffer strips Maintaining a Vigorous and Environmentally Sound Lawn Planning Soil preparation for seeding or sodding Seeding Watering Mowing Fertilizing Weed and insect control Planning Design a smaller lawn to reduce overall maintenance Replace unnecessary lawn areas with shrub borders or herbaceous native plantings Consider planting native ground covers that tolerate the adverse growing conditions found in these spots Maintaining a Vigorous and Environmentally Sound Lawn Planning Soil preparation for seeding or sodding Seeding Watering Mowing Fertilizing Weed and insect control Soil preparation for seeding or Sodding Soil test Soil type, pH, and nutrients Loosen soil before seeding or sodding Till in compacted upland soils Use aerator in compacted established lawn once a year in mid-spring or in the fall after Labor Day Seeding Select low-maintenance turf grasses Read labels on seed packages carefully to learn what they contain Do not buy cheap grass seed You get what you pay for Watering Encourage deep rooting by watering seldom but thoroughly Actively growing turf requires 1in of water per week To survive hot, dry weather, lawn grasses naturally go into a state of dormancy During severe drought, water dormant grass ¼ to ½ in every two to three weeks to keep crowns from dehydrating beyond the point of recovery Mowing Mow high Mow frequently Keep lawn mower blades sharp Increase mowing height by ½ to 1in in midsummer For small lawns consider using a manual, nonmotorized mower Sweep up grass clippings blown onto pavement Fertilizing Leave grass clippings on the lawn Low-maintenance lawn need just one application of fertilizer per year applies in the early fall Use organic fertilizers Use a mulching mower Milorganite, Ringers, synthetic organics (Nitroform, Par-EX) Sweep adjacent paved surfaces after applying fertilizer Water lawn after applying fertilizer Have soils test for lack of phosphorus Don’t use if not needed Weed and insect control Insecticides are seldom needed for grass management When needed us a broadleaf herbicides for weed control in the fall In small yard pull weeds by hand Spot treat individually with ready-to-use sprays Read and adhere to labels on pesticides Maintain a healthy lawn Weeds will not be able to establish Historically, lawns were composed of a variety of grasses and broadleaf plants Consider going back to a more diverse community of plants with in your lawn Managing Invasive Non-Native Plants Learn the difference between non-native and native plants Native • Plants or species that have originated in an area and continue to grow in their ecological niche • Thrive because they are well adapted to the environment Non-Native • Move or carried here through an unnatural process • New location devoid of competition and predators Purple loosestrife Eurasian water milfoil Reed canary grass Curly-leaf pondweed Yellow water Iris Flowering rush European frog-bit Hydrilla Ornamental water Lilies Water chestnut Leaf Cleanup Rake leaves soon after falling Rain Gutters Directed onto the lawn Detergents May contain phosphorus Use ones without phosphorus Do not bath in lake Do not wash pets in lake Do not wash car on property or park on lawn while washing Wash pollutants in to lake • • • • Soil Nutrients Hydrocarbons gasoline Septic System Maintenance Make sure it is properly maintained Pump it when it needs pumping Use a knowledgeable contractor Left on maintained will cause the septic to fail Public health problem and violates local laws Do not dump chemicals down sink or toilet Will kill good bacteria Do not use a garbage disposal Pet Management Contribute to excess nutrients Health hazard Clean up after pet as soon as possible Keep cats inside Train dogs to not chase wildlife or restrain them Mosquitoes Tall grass does not cause a mosquito problems Need mosquitoes standing water Remove clogged rain gutters, tire swings, whiskey barrel planters, neglected bird paths, and old pails Un-mowed area near water increase the predators of mosquitoes Plant repentant plant Citronella, chamomile, basil, evening primrose, peppermint, comfrey, cloves, garlic, and thistle Put up bat houses Enhancing Lakeshore Habitat Nest boxes Purple martin Tree swallow Eastern bluebird House wren black-capped chickadee Barred owl Screech-owl Wood duck Hooded merganser squirrel Common goldeneye Common merganser Enhancing Lakeshore Habitat Snag Management Snag is a dead tree either fallen or standing Habitat • • • • • • • • • • • • Flickers and Woodpeckers--downy, hariy, red-bellied, and pileated Red, gray, and fox squirrels Wood ducks Great crested flycatcher, Tree swallow, Eastern bluebirds, House wrens and Black-capped chickadees White breasted nuthatches, Brown creeper, and Eastern kingbirds Bald eagles and Osprey Salamanders Snakes Insects Turtles Ducks Eastern phoebes, purple martins, and belted kingfishers Lakescaping Examples Fish Lake Thank You! Lakescaping Examples Bush Lake Lakescaping Examples Eagle Lake Lakescaping Examples Gervais Lake Lakescaping Examples Big Sandy Lake Lakescaping Examples Big Marine Lake