How Can We Care for Our Lakes?

How Can We Care for Our Lakes?

Shoreline ecosystems, or riparian zones, are especially valuable habitat for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. The shoreline area includes the first 30 metres of land and is considered the ribbon of life because it supports 70% of land-based wildlife and 90% of aquatic species at some point in their lifetime. Native wildlife like fish, waterfowl, and migratory birds depend on healthy water and natural components like woody debris and aquatic vegetation for food, shelter, nesting, and breeding. Waterfront development has on-land impacts, as well as our freshwater resources. How humans manage different factors like stormwater runoff and natural buffers has impacts on wildlife communities, the local environment, and humans.