Shoreline Smarts
Did you know that 90 percent of all living things found in Wisconsin lakes and streams are found along the shallow banks and shores? In fact, 80 percent of the plants and animals on Wisconsin’s endangered species list live all or part of their life in the near-shore zone.
Viewer Tip: Protecting natural shoreline from plant removal is an important way to protect these species from pollution and erosion. If you are a homeowner on or near the shore, consider leaving native brush and trees instead of replacing them with grass or artificial beaches. Natural vegetation protects the shoreline from wind and rain erosion, and filters out pollutants carried by rainwater before they reach the water!
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Source: Wisconsin Association of Lakes. “Shorelands and Habitat Loss.” http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/AboutLakes/Shoreland&HabitatLoss.htm)
