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Natural communities are made of plants and animals growing and living together in landscapes characterized by specific soil, water, and climate conditions. Native shoreland vegetation is essential for protecting lake water quality and wildlife habitat. Vermont has over 800 lakes with several natural lakeshore communities, ranging from cobble and sandy beaches to wetlands to northern hardwood forests. Planting native species and protecting and encouraging natural plant communities along Vermont shorelands is one of the most important things we can do to protect lake health, clean drinking water, biodiversity, and recreational opportunities.

Rain gardens are both aesthetic and functional concave gardens with native plants that filter stormwater runoff, reduce erosion, and replenish groundwater.

Meandering and switchback pathways that are stable and shed runoff regularly prevent erosion and stabilize high traffic areas. Methods include path delineation, crushed stone, Erosion Control mix, and water bars.

Permeable paver blocks and geogrid reinforced aggregate or turf are structural surfaces consisting of a permeable material underlain by a storage or infiltration reservoir. They can be installed to infiltrate, filter, and store stormwater.

Invasive species are non-native plants, animals, algae, fungi, or pathogens that threaten and often outcompete native species and undermine the function and integrity of an ecosystem. They are typically a result of human degraded environments and introduction. Limiting the growth or eradicating invasive species is critical to protecting the survival and diversity of native plant species, which are the foundation for ecosystem health, wildlife habitat, water quality protection, and aesthetic and recreational value.

Low impact development (LID), also called green infrastructure (GI), refers to the practices and systems that protect ecological function of a landscape by minimizing disturbance and mimicking natural processes of water absorption and filtration to treat all stormwater runoff and protect water quality.

Live stakes are dormant woody plant cuttings capable of quickly vegetating restoration areas. Fascines are bundles of dormant branches that are laid horizontally along a slopes’ contour, often in a small swale.

A protected or restored area of multi-layered native vegetation, organic material, and noncompacted soils that provides a protective buffer for the lake from developed areas. The vegetated buffer protects water quality, stabilizes shorelands, and provides vital habitat.

Simple yard and garden maintenance practices that can save time, effort, and money, and help keep lake waters safe for people, pets, and wildlife.

Associations form for many reasons. In Vermont, lake associations coordinate and provide a voice for the lake community on a diversity of issues ranging from private road maintenance; shoreland, water quality and wildlife issues; native plantings; boating safety; sharing local berry recipes and lake stories; to outlet dam ownership situations. Shoreland owners and lake recreationists benefit greatly by working together to protect the lake.