Of the 11,000 lakes in Michigan, what is Walloon’s rank in size?

Shoreline Stewardship Submitted by Jennifer DeMoss, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council W alloon Lake is a special place in Northern Michigan. With a shoreline of over 30 miles, excellent water quality, and a fascinating glacial history, Walloon rewards residents and visitors with fantastic recreation opportunities. Having the chance to spend time on Michigan’s inland lakes—including sharing one’s property with family and friends, and perhaps passing it down to a loved one—can make lakeside inhabitants want to preserve their investment well into the future. Fortunately, people who enjoy the lakeside lifestyle have many tools available to preserve Walloon’s natural beauty, including the expertise of Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council staff. This year in The Wallooner, the Watershed Council will offer a series of articles on shoreline stewardship for those who want to take simple steps to preserve Walloon Lake’s beauty and recreation opportunities. This first article is on vegetative buffer zones and how they contribute to lake health. In terms of shoreline stewardship, a buffer zone is an area of vegetation that can protect bodies of water from pollution runoff, provide habitat for wildlife, and offer property owners a chance to relax from the grind of continuous lawn maintenance. Buffer zones will look different for everyone depending upon the property, but the most effective ones extend from the water’s edge to 35 feet away from the shoreline. A healthy buffer zone will have at least 75% of this area covered with native plants, including trees and shrubs. This doesn’t mean that homeowners need to get rid of their lawns entirely. Landscapes can be managed to provide plenty of space for human recreation. It just means that a majority of space in the buffer zone is reserved for plants that stabilize the shoreline and prevent property damage. Some lakeside properties host mostly lawn grass. What’s wrong with that? Common turf grasses have short roots that can’t withstand heavy waves or ice push. These short-rooted grasses can encourage erosion. Additionally, lawn grasses like Kentucky bluegrass can’t effectively filter stormwater runoff that can contribute to algal blooms. And have we mentioned geese? While waterfowl are wonderful, geese love to hang out on manicured lawns, and their droppings and territorial nature can make it hard to enjoy the shoreline. So what’s the solution? Try a buffer zone filled with native plants. Ever heard the saying, “The deeper the roots, the taller the shoots”? Many plants that love Michigan shorelines have deep roots that stabilize soil, filter out pollutants, and prevent harmful algae overgrowth. How about a lawn dotted with tall, purple-blue New England asters, cream colored turtlehead flowers, and the pink bells of obedient plants? Fragrant sweet gale bushes love to grow at the water’s edge, as do ninebark shrubs and sweet nannyberries. You can make the buffer zone your own creative work of art, adding native plants that appeal to your aesthetic sensibilities while also maintaining the water quality you depend upon. The nice thing about native lakeshore plants is that they thrive without a lot of tending, which translates to less time spent seeding and manicuring a lawn. Native plant buffer zones aren’t just there for humans to enjoy; wildlife also benefits. Imagine having a backyard that serves as habitat for butterflies and other native insects. Birders will appreciate the variety of bird species that feed on native fruits and seeds from the buffer zone. Tree branches and other woody debris that fall into the lake will provide cover for fish, and habitat for lake invertebrates and countless other wildlife species. The buffer zone will also slow down sheets of water flowing from lawns into Walloon Lake, providing more time for plants to collect nutrients. A buffer zone near your shoreline will provide an opportunity that is increasingly rare for those living in more developed areas: the chance to witness an abundance of animals in their natural habitats. Whether you’re a birder, an angler, or just the kind of person who enjoys beautiful water and serene summers, you could benefit from a buffer zone on your property. The time and money you spend on caring for a turf lawn could be used for boating or relaxing with friends. Fewer nutrients leaching into the lake from stormwater can help control troublesome algae growths that lakefront property owners dread each year. Walloon Lake could benefit, too, with better water health that translates to better recreation opportunities for you. A National Lakes Assessment Survey estimates that 50% of inland lakes have poor nearshore habitat, meaning that there is too little vegetation on the shore and in the water. Shoreline stewardship at Walloon Lake can change that statistic while protecting the Lake, beloved homes, and wildlife habitat. Learn more about being a Michigan Shoreland Steward at www.mishorelandstewards.org, or contact us at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Visit our website, www.watershedcouncil. org, email us at info@watershedcouncil.org, or call 231-347-1181.