In 2022, these homeowners reached out to us with the hope of converting their Eden Prairie shoreline from flooded turf grass and invasive cattail into a flourishing strip of native wetland habitat. With the project area being surrounded by acres of aggressively encroaching invasive plants, as well as pollution from lawn care companies and wave action from the lake, this site posed quite a challenge. 

After meeting with the homeowners and getting a strong sense of their preferences and goals for the project, we started the process of converting this 2,675 square foot plot into a native plant oasis. Our installation team began by using herbicide and manual extraction to carefully remove the turf grass and other invasive plants from the project site. In the cleared area we then installed mulch. The initial installation included planting 1,215 plants featuring 36 different species of flowers, grasses, and sedges. After the installation phase of the project, next came the maintenance phase. Our maintenance team eliminated returning invasive plants using chemical, mechanical, and manual methods and added native plants where needed.

After three years of careful maintenance, this site is flourishing with native plants which support a healthy lakeshore ecosystem including pollinators, turtles, frogs, and birds. This lakeshore buffer helps to filter pollutants before they enter the lake water, adds visual interest to the landscape, and provides valuable habitat for wildlife. From muddy, drab, and flooded to flourishing, vibrant, and diverse; this site’s transformation is a reminder of the many benefits of native lakeshore restorations.