Buffers aren't just for farmers along streams; they are also pretty gardens that can help improve water quality in your backyard pond or lake. We have resources that can help you get started this spring.
Buffers, strips of native vegetation planted next to a lake or pond, do a lot for us:
- filter pollutants out of runoff before it reaches the pond/lake
- keep annoying geese and the mess they make out of our yards
- keep our yard from eroding or slumping away
- add wildlife and pollinator habitat
- add beauty
The list goes on and on. It's one of the best things you can do for water quality if you live next to the water. That said, it can be hard to know where to start. Questions may be rattling around in your head like, "what kinds of plants do best on the shoreline?", or "how much does it cost?", or even still "how do I install a buffer and access the lake too?". Never fear, there are resources to help. The Landscaping for Clean Water workshop is just what you are looking for. In the workshop you will learn more about the benefits of buffers, raingardens, and native plant gardens. You'll see great local examples and learn about additional resources to help make a buffer a reality in your yard. So what are you waiting for, sign up to attend a workshop today!