Wetland buffers


Native tall grass wetland buffer

Wetland buffers are beneficial to maintaining the health of wetlands and help improve water quality. Buffers of native vegetation assist in filtering sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants before they drain into the wetland. Native vegetation is deep-rooted and can prevent erosion along the wetland edge. Buffers also provide food and shelter for desirable wildlife such as frogs, turtles, and song birds. Buffers of native wildflowers may attract butterflies, dragonflies, and hummingbirds.

Wetland buffers can be created easily using native seed mixes, plugs, bare root stock, or whole plants with little or no disturbance to the existing soil. Native shrubs and trees can be planted within the buffer to create privacy, block winter winds, provide shade, or create a more diverse landscape.

Planting and maintaining a buffer of native vegetation adjacent to the wetland reduces the impact of lawn care practices. Maintaining turf grass along the edge of a wetland increases the amount of nutrients that will pass into the water from grass clippings, fertilizer, and pet waste. These excess nutrients can increase the growth of undesirable algae and noxious weeds. If you are not ready to plant a buffer, consider mowing farther from the wetland. Leaving a section of tall grass will provide greater protection to the resource than maintaining turf close to the wetland edge.


Wetland buffer of native
shrubs (recently installed)

Our wetlands provide us with clean drinking water, help prevent flooding by collecting and absorbing our storm water, and add beauty to our neighborhoods. Reducing our impact on these valuable resources will help them continue to function properly.

For more information about wetland buffers contact the Minnetonka Natural Resource Division at 952.988.8422.

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