French Planning Services: Environmental Insights - Natural Buffers Anyone? … or from curbside to lakeside

In 1986 we took a picture of our shoreline, and after first admiring it we quickly realized that it was something that you should only see in an urban setting; a manicured lawn with gardens of ornamental flowers. The only thing that was missing was a curb. For the first couple of years we worked hard to obtain that uniform front lawn. We hand picked the weeds in an effort to reduce the vegetation inventory to only one or two species of plants. At least, I am happy to say, that we knew better not to apply fertilizers or weed killers. But there was something that just didn't feel right. We lived on a Muskoka shoreline, and it looked like it belonged in a city.

In 1988, we stopped mowing the lawn and raking the forest litter along the shoreline. Sure, we still maintained a lawn on top of the sewage disposal field and immediately around the house, but we adopted the principles of MAPLE 10, which is a shoreline regeneration program designed to let altered shorelines regenerate to their natural state. It's premise was to stop cutting the lawn within 10 feet of the shoreline and see what type of vegetation comes up. However, 10 feet didn't seem enough and we applied the principle of regeneration to 40 feet back from the shoreline.

In the first year we noticed that the grass grew longer and there were many more "weeds". Some of our neighbours thought we were crazy, but we forged ahead. In the second year we noticed that small woody plants (maples and pines) were starting to grow and other small shrubs and ferns were emerging. During the 4th and 5th years we supplemented our shoreline buffer by doing some additional plantings of native trees and shrubs. Just last year we purchased 50 new seedlings from the Muskoka Heritage Foundation during their "Naturalizing Muskoka" project. Red Dogwood was placed along the shoreline to reduce erosion and provide white flowers for decoration. Pines and spruce were planted to help thicken the buffer to increase privacy from adjoining properties.

The difference in just over ten years has been incredible. The pine tree that was planted in 1988 now stands two to three feet taller than me, our natural buffer is thick and rich with vegetation and fish can be seen under the overhanging shoreline vegetation. We also have fewer shoreline erosion problems and more privacy. The access route to our boat is a small foot trail and we still maintain view corridors to watch the river. The manicured lawn is gone and now there is less lawn maintenance, which results in more time to enjoy our location.

The littoral zone and the first 10 to 15 metres of land along a shoreline is essential to the survival of many fish and wildlife species. This area, often called the ribbon of life, is a rich, complex habitat that provides nursery, feeding and rearing opportunities for many species. The narrow buffer that surrounds a shoreline also acts as a natural filter, protecting the lake from nutrient overloading and protects the land from erosion. These important areas must be protected if we want to ensure a healthy future for our lakes and rivers.

Now, when we travel the waterways and see all the new manicured lawns, we worry about the ribbon of life and wonder why these people put so much energy into reducing the natural ambience of Muskoka. After all, isn't that part of the reason why we live and play here.Sure, we still have the ornamental flowers, but they are native to the area and we don't have to replant them every year. Now that's easy.