Greenbelts: Keeping Things in Their Place

GREENBELTS

Keeping Things in Their Place

By Connor Dennis, WLAC Director of Conservation Programs

Idon't know anyone who doesn't enjoy taking a cruise along the lake shore to admire all the beautiful homes and gardens around Walloon Lake. As a follow-up to our 2020 Shoreline Survey, we would like to show you how you can use your lakefront to help combat erosion, add essential wildlife habitat and still be as beautiful as ever while benefiting the water quality of the lake.

Greenbelts are areas of natural vegetation that create a buffer between your home, yard and shoreline. Greenbelts can be planted in many shapes and sizes, but their main function is to filter the water that runs off your property before it enters the lake. This prevents detrimental sediments and nutrients from changing the water quality. Greenbelts are also required by all five townships around Walloon, ranging in depth from 25 to 45 feet. What you plant in your greenbelt is ultimately up to you, but we have a few helpful suggestions before you start planting.

First off, you want to keep in mind the deeper a plant's roots, the better suited they are to fight erosion and avoid washing away due to wave action. Plants native to Northern Michigan have much deeper root systems due to the depth they need to get below the frost level each year. This not only allows the plants to survive our extremely cold winters but also makes them great candidates for greenbelt plantings. Native plants are equally as beautiful as other non-native plants that might struggle with our seasonal weather or need to be planted year after year. Native plants also require less watering and fertilizing than non-native species and attract more pollinators like butterflies, bees and birds.

Secondly, map out your site and pre-plan your greenbelt before you start planting. Certain plants need more or less sun/shade and are better suited for different areas of your garden. You can also select low-growing plants that will be shorter or not bush out and allow for an unimpeded view of the lake while still having a deep root structure to hold your shoreline in place.

Lastly, we would like to leave you with a little motivation. Remember, something is better than nothing, and any step you take to improve your greenbelt and shoreline will help to improve the water quality of Walloon. You don't have to go all out the first year, you can add to your greenbelt every spring little by little and make changes as you go. Your greenbelt should be something you look forward to adding to each year as spring returns to the lake and you can watch it bloom all summer long.

As the popularity of native plants has grown so have the opportunities and availability to purchase great plants locally. The WLAC works closely with the Otsego Conservation District as well as the Charlevoix County Conservation District, which both have nurseries in the area and host frequent plant sales. We would also like to announce our own Second Annual Native Plant Sale

here in the Village at our office on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, May

28th. We will have kits and individual plants for sale as well as experts on hand to help you decide which plants are best suited for your shoreline. We hope you can stop by and see us, and make sure to keep this event on your calendar each spring to add to your native plant garden or greenbelt!