Hi, I am Julia Kirkwood and I am an Environmental Quality Analyst with the MI Department of
Hi, I am Julia Kirkwood and I am an Environmental Quality Analyst with the MI Department of

Environment Great Lakes and Energy.
Environment Great Lakes and Energy.

As part of the MI Shoreland Stewards Program you will learn how to identify the four zones
As part of the MI Shoreland Stewards Program you will learn how to identify the four zones

of your lakefront property.
of your lakefront property.

I will help you find the Buffer Zone on your property and explain why this area is so important
I will help you find the Buffer Zone on your property and explain why this area is so important

and what you can do to protect it.
and what you can do to protect it.

Your Buffer Zone is the land immediately adjacent
Your Buffer Zone is the land immediately adjacent

to the lake and is located between the Shoreline and the Upland Zones.
to the lake and is located between the Shoreline and the Upland Zones.

For the Shoreland Stewards Program the Buffer Zone is measured as 35 feet deep – starting
For the Shoreland Stewards Program the Buffer Zone is measured as 35 feet deep – starting

at the top of the lake bank and extending away from the lake.
at the top of the lake bank and extending away from the lake.

An undeveloped Buffer Zone will have trees, shrubs, flowers, sedges, grasses, and all
An undeveloped Buffer Zone will have trees, shrubs, flowers, sedges, grasses, and all

the organic matter that accumulates from leaf fall, downed trees, and decaying plants.
the organic matter that accumulates from leaf fall, downed trees, and decaying plants.

Keeping this natural vegetation is important
Keeping this natural vegetation is important

because it protects the lake by filtering pollutants from stormwater runoff before they
because it protects the lake by filtering pollutants from stormwater runoff before they

can reach the lake.
can reach the lake.

It also protects the shoreline against erosive wave action while providing camouflage for
It also protects the shoreline against erosive wave action while providing camouflage for

animals moving in and out of the water.
animals moving in and out of the water.

Trees and shrubs attract birds and provide shade over the nearshore water.
Trees and shrubs attract birds and provide shade over the nearshore water.

While many properties leave their buffer zone
While many properties leave their buffer zone

untouched, it is common for landowners to make changes to increase recreational access
untouched, it is common for landowners to make changes to increase recreational access

to their lake.
to their lake.

Minimizing these changes is an important best management practice that helps protect the
Minimizing these changes is an important best management practice that helps protect the

lake, while still allowing plenty of space for relaxing and playing.
lake, while still allowing plenty of space for relaxing and playing.

That’s why the Shoreland Stewards Program recommends maintaining 75% or more native
That’s why the Shoreland Stewards Program recommends maintaining 75% or more native

vegetation and avoiding impervious surfaces in the Buffer Zone.
vegetation and avoiding impervious surfaces in the Buffer Zone.

Does this sound like your property?
Does this sound like your property?

If not, it’s time to make some changes.
If not, it’s time to make some changes.

When re-evaluating your Buffer Zone consider these three main concepts:
When re-evaluating your Buffer Zone consider these three main concepts:

• Removing or reducing hard surfaces.
• Removing or reducing hard surfaces.

• Restoring native vegetation.
• Restoring native vegetation.

• Eliminating pollutant sources.
• Eliminating pollutant sources.

If you already have impervious surfaces like patios or sheds review opportunities where
If you already have impervious surfaces like patios or sheds review opportunities where

you can make changes such as collecting any stormwater.
you can make changes such as collecting any stormwater.

And before building consider keeping impervious surfaces out of the Buffer Zone.
And before building consider keeping impervious surfaces out of the Buffer Zone.

If it is unavoidable due to site conditions
If it is unavoidable due to site conditions

or space constraints keep them as far from the lake as possible and be mindful of the
or space constraints keep them as far from the lake as possible and be mindful of the

size and type of material you use.
size and type of material you use.

For example permeable pavers that allow water to soak into the ground can be used for a
For example permeable pavers that allow water to soak into the ground can be used for a

walkway or patio.
walkway or patio.

Did you know that as the amount of lawn increases
Did you know that as the amount of lawn increases

around a lake, the Canada goose population tends to increase as well?
around a lake, the Canada goose population tends to increase as well?

Lawns are essentially a welcome mat for Canada geese, providing an unlimited supply of lush
Lawns are essentially a welcome mat for Canada geese, providing an unlimited supply of lush

grass and open spaces that are safe from predators.
grass and open spaces that are safe from predators.

Keeping a lawn next to the lake invites shoreline
Keeping a lawn next to the lake invites shoreline

erosion.
erosion.

Turfgrass roots are only about 3 inches deep and don’t stand a chance against the power
Turfgrass roots are only about 3 inches deep and don’t stand a chance against the power

of lake waves.
of lake waves.

Native trees and plants that naturally live in the Buffer Zone have much deeper and stronger
Native trees and plants that naturally live in the Buffer Zone have much deeper and stronger

root systems and can actually withstand wave energy keeping your land in place.
root systems and can actually withstand wave energy keeping your land in place.

Reducing the size of your lawn by returning
Reducing the size of your lawn by returning

native plants and trees to the Buffer Zone will look different for every property as
native plants and trees to the Buffer Zone will look different for every property as

it depends on owner needs, available space and site conditions.
it depends on owner needs, available space and site conditions.

You can find a list of recommended native plants and trees on the Michigan Natural Shoreline
You can find a list of recommended native plants and trees on the Michigan Natural Shoreline

Partnership’s website.
Partnership’s website.

The list is organized by where plants will be most successful along your lakeshore.
The list is organized by where plants will be most successful along your lakeshore.

There are options for tall and short plants and plants for sunny, shady, wet and dry conditions
There are options for tall and short plants and plants for sunny, shady, wet and dry conditions

Next, review your Buffer Zone for activities that may be adding pollutants such as sediment,
Next, review your Buffer Zone for activities that may be adding pollutants such as sediment,

nutrients and chemicals to your lake.
nutrients and chemicals to your lake.

One source of sediment is an artificial beach.
One source of sediment is an artificial beach.

This sand is an unnatural source of sediment that can easily wash into the lake covering
This sand is an unnatural source of sediment that can easily wash into the lake covering

fish spawning areas and aquatic insects otherwise known as fish food.
fish spawning areas and aquatic insects otherwise known as fish food.

If you do have an artificial beach, consider reducing its size and try to keep it from
If you do have an artificial beach, consider reducing its size and try to keep it from

washing into the lake.
washing into the lake.

Bare areas in the Buffer Zone are another
Bare areas in the Buffer Zone are another

source of sediment.
source of sediment.

These can be created from stormwater runoff, walkways or recreational equipment storage.
These can be created from stormwater runoff, walkways or recreational equipment storage.

Storing boats, docks and hoists in the Buffer Zone kills vegetation and compacts the soil.
Storing boats, docks and hoists in the Buffer Zone kills vegetation and compacts the soil.

If storage in the Buffer Zone is necessary, then be careful to minimize the impacts by
If storage in the Buffer Zone is necessary, then be careful to minimize the impacts by

keeping them off the ground.
keeping them off the ground.

Planting these bare areas with natural vegetation
Planting these bare areas with natural vegetation

is the easiest way to prevent sediment, excess nutrients and unwanted chemicals from washing
is the easiest way to prevent sediment, excess nutrients and unwanted chemicals from washing

into your lake.
into your lake.

For more challenging erosion problems you are going to need more than just plants.
For more challenging erosion problems you are going to need more than just plants.

Check out this website to find resources on identifying the solution that is right for
Check out this website to find resources on identifying the solution that is right for

your property!
your property!

Want some more best management tips?
Want some more best management tips?

• Never use fertilizer in the buffer zone.
• Never use fertilizer in the buffer zone.

• Avoid harsh chemicals!
• Avoid harsh chemicals!

If necessary, only use herbicides to spot treat invasive species or prepare new planting
If necessary, only use herbicides to spot treat invasive species or prepare new planting

sites.
sites.

• Pick up and dispose of animal waste in the trash;
• Pick up and dispose of animal waste in the trash;

• Keep fire pits away from the lake to make sure the ashes can’t wash into the lake.
• Keep fire pits away from the lake to make sure the ashes can’t wash into the lake.

• Grass cuttings and raked leaves may seem natural but they should never be dumped into
• Grass cuttings and raked leaves may seem natural but they should never be dumped into

the lake
the lake

Protecting and planting vegetation within your Buffer Zone protects your property, your
Protecting and planting vegetation within your Buffer Zone protects your property, your

lake and surrounding wildlife.
lake and surrounding wildlife.

On behalf of Michigan’s inland lakes and the people who cherish them, thank you for
On behalf of Michigan’s inland lakes and the people who cherish them, thank you for

your Stewardship.
your Stewardship.

For more information check out our website at www.mishorelandstewards.org
For more information check out our website at www.mishorelandstewards.org