From Streamside Lawns to Lush Habitat

Changing your streamside lawn into a lush vegetative buffer protects the environment while saving you money and increasing your property values.

What's wrong with a lawn? Every homeowner has their vision for 'improving' property along a shoreline. And given that views and immediate access to the water are tech primary reasons for locating next to a shoreline, a common means to 'improve' the property is to plant grass all the way to the water's edge.

But in many ways, this shoreline treatment is not an improvement:

• Time and money are spent to maintain the lawn.
• Lawn chemicals and fertilizers contaminate the water.
• Valuable shoreline habitat for fish and wildlife is destroyed.
• The lack of riparian vegetation leads to erosion - damaging property and polluting the water with sediment.

These are just a sampling of the cumulative impacts associated with a manicured lawn along a shoreline.

Protecting or establishing a lush streamside buffer instead of a lawn at the shoreline can benefit the homeowner and the environment.

What is a streamside buffer? A streamside or riparian buffer is an area of transition between a stream and an upland area consisting of native trees, shrubs, or other plants dependent on moist soils.

Can i still enjoy the shoreline? Yes. To maintain some view of the river or stream, selectively thin the trees and shrubs to provide a 'window' (provided this is allowed on your property under County regulations), or place larger plants at the property's edges with low growing shrubs and flowers in the middle. These techniques preserve the buffer and corridor for wildlife. For access through the riparian buffer, create a trail using bark, gravel or other pervious materials.

how do i create a streamside buffer? Protecting the natural shoreline habitat is the best approach. But where this buffer has been removed, a lawn mowed to the water's edge can be transformed into a buffer by simply not mowing to the bank. Gradually, flowers and shrubs and then trees will emerge. To give your buffer a head start, plant native wildflowers, shrubs or trees.

Can I still have some lawn? Yes. The bigger the buffer, the better, but even a small buffer can still prevent erosion, improve water quality and provide habitat. For example, a fifteen strip of small trees and shrubs with a ten-foot wide wildflower meadow can filter pollutants and stabilize the stream bank. The remaining lawn can still be used for recreation, picnics, and open space.

How do I care for the lawn I do have? Proper lawn care involves appropriate mowing, watering and fertilizing.

• Mow the grass at the proper height, 2 to 3 inches (higher closer to the water).
• Use water wisely. Water in the early morning or evening to prevent evaporation. If it rains significantly, turn off the sprinklers. Consider letting your lawn go dormant during the hot, dry summer months.
• Use chemicals cautiously to keep them from entering the water.
• Do not dispose of grass clippings near or into the stream.

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