Protecting our Native Plants & Wild Landscapes
Protecting our Native Plants and Wild Landscapes
Native plants are generally defined as plants that have occurred naturally within a specific region, climate or ecosystem for thousands of years, without human intervention. With their ability to stabilize soil, prevent erosion, sustain wildlife, and support biodiversity, they are at the heart of a healthy ecosystem. These species require minimal maintenance, provide food for pollinators, create vital habitats for local wildlife, and naturally filter watershed runoff before it reaches our lakes, ensuring long-term environmental health.
Explore the TLPOA guides to plants in our woods
Plants native to a certain region are not necessarily found in all ecosystems within that region. To help you identify some of the native species found at Twin Lakes, the Forest, Tree and Plant Life Committee has compiled a guide that shows some of the native trees and woody shrubs found in the forest and around the shores of our lakes. We are continuously updating this guide, so if you find any native species missing, please let us know so we can include them.
embracing the “messy Woods” approach
A messy wood is a thriving forest! While tidy landscapes may seem appealing, untouched natural areas provide critical ecological benefits. Fallen logs, leaf litter, and dense undergrowth shelter birds, insects, and small mammals while enriching soil health and fostering biodiversity.
Take a look at Twin Breeze Vol 6 "Messy Woods" to read more about all the benefits of this approach.
Learn more:
the role of riparian buffers at twin lakes
A thriving riparian buffer, a strip of vegetation along the shoreline consisting of trees, shrubs and grasses, is essential to maintaining Twin Lakes' water quality, shoreline stability, and ecological balance. Native vegetation along the shoreline protects against challenges such as poor water quality, algae blooms, invasive species, erosion, and wildlife waste, safeguarding the lake’s long-term health.
Key Benefits for Twin Lakes Residents
Water Quality Protection: Buffers capture sediment in stormwater runoff and absorb excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, limiting algae blooms, impeding invasive weed growth, and improving water clarity.
Wildlife & Waste Reduction: Vegetation discourages geese and deer from lingering, reducing fecal contamination and nutrient overload.
Erosion & Runoff Control: Trees and plants slow stormwater flow, preventing pollutant-filled runoff from entering the lake. Their roots hold soil in place and strengthen the structural integrity of the shoreline.
Temperature Regulation: Shade from trees cools the water, preserving aquatic habitats while minimizing algae growth.
Aesthetic & Environmental Balance: Maintaining natural buffers protects Twin Lakes' scenic beauty while ensuring long-term ecological health.
more information about riparian buffers
Riparian buffers require little maintenance and the use of fertilizer and pesticides should be avoided at all cost. However, it is good practice to monitor these areas for unwanted invasive species so they can be removed before becoming a problem. Please take a look at this guide to help identify some of the worst invaders:
Pennsylvania Field Guide to Common Invasive Plants in Riparian Areas.
Learn More:
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provides an overview of riparian buffers and their role in maintaining water quality.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission offers guidelines on riparian buffer management, including strategies for protection and restoration.
Penn State Extension has a resource specifically focused on riparian buffers for wildlife, explaining their benefits and how to establish them.
Riparian Buffer Policy Brief is an informative presentation about the Benefits of Riparian Buffers from Penn Future.
Questions or Suggestions?: Please contact Lorraine Gibbons gibbonslorraine56@gmail.com or Tina Proce bproce70@gmail.com
Note: The above guide mentions the use of systemic herbicides including glyphosate and triclopyr on many occasions. The Forest, Tree and Plant Life Committee does not endorse the use of chemicals as a control method as many studies suggest these herbicides can have negative effects on aquatic life, insects and wildlife.