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💧🌿 Natural Shorelines Protect Our Lakes

A natural shoreline protects not only the plants and animals that depend on the important ribbon of life between land and water — it also protects your property and the enjoyment of the lake.

When too many shoreline plants and trees are removed, erosion is more likely to occur.  Your shoreline is more susceptible to wave and boat wake erosion.  Additionally, the resulting sediment pollution can lead to:

💧 Increased costs for treating drinking water
🏊 Less enjoyable swimming conditions
🌱 Loss of aquatic plants due to reduced sunlight
🐟 Fish spawning beds being covered and eggs destroyed
🦐 Destruction of small aquatic creatures that fish depend on for food

🌱 The Good News

Even highly disturbed shorelines can often be successfully rehabilitated, and there are excellent local resources and programs available to help.

🌿 The Natural Edge Program

One such program is the Natural Edge Program offered through the Muskoka Watershed Council. Participants receive:

✅ A free site visit from a shoreline restoration and native plant expert
✅ A customized shoreline re-naturalization planting plan
🌾 Up to 50 native plants
🟫 Fibre pads to reduce grass growth around new plantings
🌳 Tree guards for deciduous trees
🍂 Mulch for wildflowers
📘 Plant care, habitat creation, and wildflower garden guides

💵 If property owners choose to proceed with the recommended planting plan, there is a one-time fee of $300.

🌲 Lake Vernon Success Stories

In 2021 and 2025, the Lake Vernon Association worked with the owners of Gallaugher Island and Birch Island (respectively) to completed demonstration shoreline restoration projects, with assistance from the Natural Edge Program, to help stabilize and re-naturalize areas of the heavily eroded shoreline of these islands. 

The Lake Vernon Association is currently working with the Town of Huntsville to plan for a potential 2027 shoreline restoration of a public lake access site on Lake Vernon.

🙋‍♀️ If you are planning a shoreline restoration/planting project and would like some technical and permitting guidance, please contact: lva@lake-veron.ca

🌿 Other helpful resources for maintaining a Healthy Waterfront