nationallooncenter, Author at National Loon Center Foundation

Native Plant Communities Strengthening Human Communities

Posted on April 30, 2026April 30, 2026 by nationallooncenter

Volunteers working with willow waddle

By Baylee Bessingpas, Minnesota GreenCorps Member

For this week’s blog, we are featuring an interview with local shoreline restoration expert Laura Mendoza of Great Roots LLC! Great Roots LLC serves the greater Brainerd Lakes and Aitkin areas and primarily takes on restoration projects between the months of April and October. Thanks for sharing your expertise and perspective, Laura!

Q: What is Great Roots LLC?

A: Great Roots is a company dedicated to design and implement native landscape projects, specializing in shoreline restoration.

Q: In a nutshell, what is your role at Great Roots LLC?

A: I run every aspect of the business myself, so I wear different hats. I would say many of my roles are oriented towards education, sometimes posting on social media explaining why native vegetation is so important, especially around our lakes. And when I am installing a project, guiding the volunteers and landowners through the process and importance of each step.

Q: What makes Great Roots LLC unique from other landscape and restoration companies?

A: We have a community driven approach, meaning the landowners, their families, friends or neighbors get together to learn as they help with the installation. This approach not only gives people the skills to maintain their project, but also provides them with the knowledge so they can spread the importance of natural shorelines.

Q: How has your relationship with the land grown and developed over time? What inspired you to pursue a career growing things and restoring landscapes?

A: I have always been inspired to educate people around me to help protect natural resources. I heard about the water shortage crisis as a kid growing up in Mexico City, and created an informational meeting with my family to help us do our part to save water. I went to college for environmental science to learn more. Then created a business teaching sustainable food production and community education for gardening focusing on the environmental needs of the area. I moved to Minnesota, and met a retiring shoreline restoration expert who shared her 30 years of experience. Then I created Great Roots to continue restoring shorelines. The needs of the local environment of the areas I have lived in have shaped the work I do to make the best impact that I can.

Q: If someone were to start with doing or changing one thing about their shoreline property landscaping, where would be the most impactful place to start?

A: If there is currently a lawn that goes all the way to the water, they could stop mowing at least 5ft away from the water. Then identify the vegetation that grows back. I have to say that this needs to be done carefully, as they would need to make sure that there isn’t any invasive vegetation.

I have seen many properties where the vegetation was actually not grass but native sedges that help protect shorelines, so then I helped them select flowers to add diversity. I have also seen other properties where invasive species showed up, so they needed to control those before adding any native vegetation. They could use an app on their phones to ID plants or ask for help from their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) or a native plant landscaper.

Q: What are some common misconceptions about shoreline restoration?

A: Some people think that riprap is shoreline restoration, and while it might be the only option for sites with severe erosion, in most cases it is not necessary. Riprap also lacks the environmental benefits that a natural shoreline with native vegetation provides, and it can increase water temperature. Riprap is expensive and only strongest the day it is installed, but degrades over time and usually leads to expensive maintenance.

Some people think that a natural shoreline would look “messy” compared to the “clean” look of a lawn, but they can actually look beautiful! Diverse vegetation offers blooms throughout the season, providing important wildlife habitat. Native vegetation needs less maintenance as it establishes over time.

Q: What are some of the most common site concerns property owners have when you go to do a site evaluation?

A: Erosion/soil lost. Especially with properties that have been in the family through generations, people have mentioned that they have noticed the shoreline creeping in, one of the most extreme cases I have heard of, they had lost about fifteen feet. While it was a hard decision to transform their naturally sandy beach, they knew they needed to do something to prevent any further erosion.

Q: Which plant species used in your restoration projects excite you the most, and why?

A: Blue flag iris is one of my favorite flowers, so much that I integrated it into my logo. It is one of the early blooms of the season, and it also seems to protect shorelines from muskrats, as it can be toxic to them, keeping them away. While muskrats are part of the lake ecosystem, they can dig tunnels into people’s lakeshores that create problems.

Q: Let’s say that a property-owner has restored their own shoreline, and wants to encourage their neighbors to do the same – what would be the main talking points you’d recommend using to sell the neighbors on the idea?

A: They could start by talking about why they decided to do it, and which positive changes they have noticed since restoring their shoreline, and try to relate to what their neighbors might prioritize. Some of the main benefits that can encourage people to restore their shore can be included in that conversation. A restored shoreline with native vegetation can decrease the time they dedicate to maintain their lawn, support pollinators, beautify their space, and improve fish habitat. Deep roots help anchor the shore, preventing erosion, filtering water (preventing algae blooms), and protecting the shore against ice heaves.

It is also good to explain how the benefits magnify when more people do it. Being an example is a great starting point!

If a neighbor is new to the idea and wants to know more before committing, helping out during a neighbor’s projects is a great opportunity to see what it is all about and to get their questions answered. That first-hand experience really plants the seed!

Q: Have any restoration projects throughout your career been especially meaningful to you? What made these projects stick out?

A: Definitely, I still remember the first project I collaborated on and still maintain contact with the landowner, she has become a great advocate for shoreline restoration.

I also have worked on a couple of projects where multiple generations of the family get involved with the installation. Everyone was excited to help and learn, and to contribute to protect a space that means so much to their family, and where they all share many memories. Their energy is contagious and I feel fortunate to be a part of it.

Q: Is there anything else you want people to know about shoreline restoration?

A: A shoreline restoration project doesn’t mean you have to quit having a nice view to the lake or using your space the way you would like to. A shoreline restoration design can integrate your needs and find a balance where you get the most environmental benefits.

Q: Are there any resources you would recommend for property owners located on non-lakefront properties that still want to landscape in a way that benefits wildlife and water quality?

A: Include native vegetation in your landscape, for stormwater management rain gardens are a great option to capture the water and offer a space for it to filter any excess nutrients or contaminants.

Also avoid the use of fertilizer and any unnecessary chemicals, they can affect pollinators and other wildlife, they can also contaminate the water and affect the ecosystem.

Q: If a landowner is interested in scheduling a consultation with Great Roots, what steps should they take and how should they contact you?

A: Feel free to email me at greatrootsmn@gmail.com – I look forward to hearing from you!

Q: For landowners that might be interested in restorations in other parts of Minnesota or other states, how would you recommend looking for local resources?

A: Reach out to your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office, they might be able to guide you through your project or direct you to local companies that can help you. Some SWCD even have cost-share programs to support shoreline restoration projects.

Balanced Shoreline Plantings

Much like people, plants are stronger as a community than as individuals – different types of plants have complementary strengths, and when planted together they all contribute to the balance, stability, and resilience of the system as a whole. Three types of plants that work in synchrony to maximize the benefits of a shoreline planting are shrubs, graminoids, and forbs!

**Red-osier Dogwood**
*Dave Powell; USFS*

Shrubs are multi-stemmed woody plants that are generally less than 15 feet tall. The deep woody roots of shrubs provide structural support to stabilize shorelines and serve as a line of defense from ice, wind, rain, and waves. One of Laura’s favorite shrub species to include in a shoreline planting is the red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) – sporting vibrant red stems that provide a much-appreciated pop of color in the drab depths of winter, this fast-growing and hardy shrub is a powerhouse for controlling erosion and stabilizing the banks of lakes and rivers. These deep roots can also serve to break up compacted soil, making it easier for rainfall to infiltrate into the groundwater supply. Red-osier dogwood forms dense thickets that provide cover for wildlife and produces white flowers that support pollinators before turning into white berry-like fruits that are a favorite snack of birds!

Graminoids are grass-like herbaceous plants – our grasses, sedges, and rushes! An all-star included in many of Laura’s plantings, woolly sedge (Carex pellita) is an adaptable species that thrives in moist environments and forms dense and fibrous root systems, making it a great candidate for shoreline and wetland restorations. The dense roots hold soil in place and help absorb the energy of crashing waves while serving as a filter preventing nutrients like Nitrogen and Phosphorus from entering the water. The roots and leaves of graminoids like woolly sedge also serve as food and habitat for small critters like the invertebrates forming the base of the food chain!

Forbs are flowering, leafy, herbaceous plants – the type of plants we might call wildflowers. The roots of forbs will intertwine with the root systems of shrubs and graminoids, increasing stabilization and resilience against erosion and pollution. During the growing season, the leaves and flowers help slow water runoff while providing incredible support for biodiversity, especially native pollinators! Flowers bring beauty and aesthetic appeal to any planting, and are often the plants we most enjoy cultivating – as Laura mentioned in the interview, the blue flag iris (Iris versicolor) is a personal favorite flower that she included in Great Roots’ logo. The beautiful and uniquely shaped purple flowers of the blue flag iris attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and this plant’s success in moist environments make it a popular choice for shoreline and rain garden plantings.

April 16, 2026

Posted on April 16, 2026April 16, 2026 by nationallooncenter

April 2, 2026

Posted on April 3, 2026April 17, 2026 by nationallooncenter

Spring: A Time to Landscape for Loons

Posted on April 2, 2026April 2, 2026 by nationallooncenter

By Baylee Bessingpas

After a long and cold Minnesota winter, the season of growth and a return to life is finally in sight – spring has sprung! Before we know it, a close look at the worn browns of last season’s fallen leaves and dried up grasses may wield a sighting of the fresh green shoots of spring ephemeral wildflowers like skunk cabbage, bloodroot, and hepaticas. The lakes and wetlands of the Northwoods are beginning to thaw, and we are already seeing birds like Trumpeter Swans and Great Blue Herons return to their summer territories in preparation for the breeding season. Minnesota’s beloved Common Loons aren’t far behind, and the males will soon arrive to begin their annual campaigns to claim the perfect territory!

The changes we observe in nature this time of year are reflected in our own human activities as we begin to spend more time outdoors enjoying the longer days, work on spring cleaning projects, and make plans for the summer ahead. Early spring is the perfect time to plan, prepare, and begin planting for garden projects! No matter the space or budget you are working with, there are ways for your outdoor space to serve your family’s needs while improving water quality and providing habitat for wildlife. At the National Loon Center, our Share Our Shoreline education initiative seeks to empower the public to responsibly enjoy our incredible lakes while sharing them with loons and preserving their health for generations to come. Landscaping for Loons is a key component of Share Our Shoreline that focuses on ways to landscape and maintain shorelines for minimizing pollution and maximizing quality habitat for fish spawning and loon nesting.

Common Loons are known to be an indicator species – a species whose presence, absence, or abundance reflects the condition of its environment. Indicator species can be used as a proxy for ecosystem health, and their population trends serve as an early warning system when something is going wrong with the ecosystem. Loons are visual predators that need clear water conditions to successfully catch fish – algae or sediment muddying the water make it very difficult for loons to catch enough food. Loons are top predators – they eat a lot of fish, which eat a lot of smaller fish, which eat a lot of macroinvertebrates… changes to any part of the food web will ultimately affect a loon’s food supply. Loons are long lived – every year they spend in a contaminated body of water, they will continue to accumulate those toxins at higher and higher levels. A healthy loon population depends on healthy lake ecosystems, which in turn depend on healthy watersheds. The actions we take inland from our waterways end up trickling back – both figuratively and literally – into our lakes and rivers. The good news? This means that we have an opportunity to make positive changes for loons even from afar!

Landscaping for Loons on Shoreline Property

On a shoreline property, your yard holds a very special place as the point of transition between land and water! The most obvious connection between loons and shorelines is that loons prefer to nest on vegetated natural shorelines. The ideal nesting site for a loon is a vegetated shoreline with grassy cover, on an island or in a bay or inlet sheltered from wind and waves, and near good fishing grounds. There are many nest predators loons seek shelter from, including mink, raccoons, gulls, and ravens – vegetated cover helps protect the nest from these hungry opportunists. If a shoreline is overrun by invasive plant species like purple loosestrife or phragmites, the shoreline can become too densely vegetated to support a nest. It is all about finding a balance of preferred conditions to give the eggs the best chance at hatching!

Natural shorelines with robust communities of emergent, submerged, and floating plants provide critical habitat for animals occupying lower levels of the food chain! The littoral zone of a lake is the shallow, nearshore zone where the majority of the vegetation found in a lake grows, and plays an important role in the life cycle of nearly every lake-dwelling animal species. Fish and amphibians spawn here, and aquatic macroinvertebrates (like the dragonfly nymph pictured here) rely on the littoral zone for food and shelter. Many of the fish that loons prey on during the summer live near the shore, and eat the other small fish and creatures found here. When shorelines are cleared of native vegetation both above and below the water line, there is a lack of food and habitat to support these small creatures that form the base of the food chain.

Finally, a vegetated shoreline serves as a filter that protects the water from pollutants and a stabilizer that helps keep the earth in place instead of eroding into the water. Our lakes are affected by many chemicals that are applied to yards, roads, farms, and more. Chloride is found in road de-icing salts and water softener residues, and is toxic to aquatic life when it enters waterways. It also disrupts the natural lake mixing process, leading to further ecological ramifications. Phosphates and nitrates are both naturally occurring nutrients necessary for the growth of plants and wildlife – however, when these compounds become too concentrated in the water, they lead to harmful algal blooms that result in a cascade of detrimental effects on the lake ecosystem. This accumulation of excess nutrients is called eutrophication. The main source of nutrient pollution in most waterways is fertilizer used in yards and on agricultural lands, but other sources include leakage from septic tanks, waste from pets and livestock, industrial waste, and lawn waste like grass clippings.

Native plants that naturally occur at the water’s edge are equipped with roots that run deep into the soil, compared to lawn grasses that form shallow root systems. These root systems trap nutrients and other pollutants before they can enter the water, keeping lakes clean and healthy. They also stabilize the shoreline, combating erosion to keep the sediment out of the water and helping you retain your property square footage! A buffer zone is an area between your lawn and your shoreline that is maintained without mowing, and planted with native species that help protect your lake. These native plants require less maintenance from property owners, protect water quality, and even provide habitat for native pollinator species – it’s a win for everyone!

Every property is unique, and there is not a one size fits all solution for every shoreline in every community. However, following these guidelines is a great place to start on your journey to making your shoreline work for you and the health of your lake! Allowing the existing native plants on your shoreline to grow and supplementing them with new native plantings is a powerful tool to create a barrier and filter for pollutants entering the lake, especially within a no-mow buffer zone right along the shore. While maintaining your property, being mindful of how and where you apply fertilizers, pesticides, and de-icing salts helps reduce the load of pollutants that could runoff into the lake. Keeping up with the maintenance of your septic system and pumping it on a regular schedule helps defend against unexpected leaks into groundwater or the lake. Considering balance when installing rocky rip-rap or sand beaches goes a long way – while many lake residents enjoy these features, they offer no filtration from runoff, and keeping parts of your shoreline vegetated will help preserve the lake to be enjoyed by the generations to come. In the Northwoods, the lakes are our way of life and it is a privilege to enjoy them – however, the fish we catch, the loons that call through the summer months, and the clear inviting waters that beckon us to take a swim can only retain their splendor if we care for and nurture them as they have nurtured us.

Landscaping for Loons Off the Shoreline

For lovers of lakes and wildlife that don’t live right on the shoreline, there are still steps we can take to keep our watersheds clean and vibrant! Many of the maintenance principles outlined for shoreline properties still apply – mindfulness around the application of chemicals, regular maintenance and pumping of septic systems, and maintaining native plant communities that provide soil stability and wildlife habitat will contribute to the health of the whole watershed! Rain gardens can be planted in shallow depressions where water naturally collects in a yard. They are planted with a mix of wet and dry tolerant species to thrive regardless of the precipitation that falls in a season. During periods of heavy rain, these gardens help control flooding and filter pollutants from stormwater runoff before it infiltrates into the groundwater supply. By capturing runoff near where it falls, rain gardens also help reduce the load of stormwater runoff that flows unfiltered into bodies of water or into storm drains, sheltering our waterways from pollution.

Pollinator gardens are planted with a mix of species that bloom at different times throughout the growing season, providing stable food and habitat for the small wildlife that are critical to ecosystem health.

In the next Share Our Shoreline blog, we will be featuring an interview with local shoreline restoration expert Laura Mendoza Romero of Great Roots LLC and diving deeper into the benefits of restored shorelines and what it takes to get started!

Learn More

Homegrown National Park
Homegrown National Park is a movement co-founded by entomologist and conservationist Dr. Doug Tallamy with the goal of increasing backyard biodiversity across the nation. This website has a wealth of information on the benefits of planting native and how to choose the best native plants for your yard.

Soil & Water Conservation Districts
Your local Soil & Water Conservation District is a great resource for ecological restorations and native plantings of all types – they may have grant funding available to help you achieve your goals!

Whitefish Area Property Owner’s Association (WAPOA)
Your local lake association will have informational and possibly financial resources available to you for supporting a healthy shoreline.

MN DNR Plant Guide

MN DNR Restore Your Shore
Information about native plants and how to select the best native plants for your site and where to get started on restorations

Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
Case studies and examples of shoreline restoration projects in Minnesota

Great Roots LLC
Shoreline Restoration services for the Brainerd Lakes Area

Prairie Restorations Inc
Ecological restoration services across Minnesota

March 20, 2026

Posted on March 20, 2026April 17, 2026 by nationallooncenter

March 5, 2026

Posted on March 5, 2026April 17, 2026 by nationallooncenter

February 20, 2026

Posted on February 20, 2026April 17, 2026 by nationallooncenter

February 10, 2026

Posted on February 10, 2026April 17, 2026 by nationallooncenter

January 22, 2026

Posted on January 22, 2026April 17, 2026 by nationallooncenter

How to Have a Loon & Lake Friendly Weekend

Posted on May 26, 2023March 27, 2026 by nationallooncenter

Photo by Brandi Grahl

Memorial Day weekend and all the weekends that follow are busy times for lake country waters. We’d like to reshare the advice written by our 2022 Community Outreach Intern, Ava, on how we can all enjoy these beautiful waters while having a loon and lake friendly weekend.

When taking your first step into the water, you may notice nesting loons near the shoreline. Adult Common Loons usually nest at the water’s edge of protected bays or small islands and once the eggs hatch, the small chicks are quite vulnerable. Staying at least 200 feet (the length of a standard ice hockey rink) from loon families, will give them enough space to remain undisturbed. While on a nest, a loon that feels threatened may flatten their body and neck over the water in the hangover position. Loons will do the penguin dance if they feel threatened, and seeing this display is a sign to back away. If you hear the tremolo of a loon, that is another warning sign that either you or a predator is too close to the loon or their chicks. Keep this knowledge in mind, and appreciate all wildlife from a non-intrusive distance.

This photo shows how loon nests may be well hidden and the defensive posture of the hangover position. Photo by mirceax from Getty Images.

Cruising around the lake and reeling in fish is certainly part of the fun, but we can be careful in our actions. When out on the boat, keeping a slow speed and observing no wake zones near the shoreline protects the nests and homes of various wild animals, including loons. Wakes should be limited to open areas in the middle of large lakes. Additionally, all fast moving water crafts should always watch out for swimming and diving loons. In the summer of 2022, the National Loon Center recently received a call from a community member that found a deceased loon near shore. Ava brought the loon to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsy studies. The diagnosis came back that the likely cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. We are not able to say for sure what could cause that, but we might guess that it would have been from a boat or jet ski collision. The National Loon Center began research on loon mortalities in 2021. Several of the necropsied loons so far have been diagnosed with blunt force trauma. To avoid facing similar situations going forward, water craft drivers should be mindful and attentive at all times.

Observe no wake zones to protect the shorelines, nesting loons, and young chicks. Photo by Sheila Farrell Johnston.

The necropsy studies have revealed other unfortunate outcomes for the loons. In the summer of 2021, a deceased loon was found and results indicated lead intoxication as the likely cause of death. Lost lead pieces at the bottom of a lake can be mistaken as a pebble by loons or loons may consume fish that carry lead jigs and sinkers. In each situation, the loon would most likely fatally suffer from lead poisoning. Thus, fishing lead-freeand keeping fishing lines out of the water when loons and other wildlife are nearby keeps all inhabitants of the lake safe.

Humans and wildlife alike depend on clean water to survive. Putting in effort to keep any pollutants and unnatural substances out of the water is important to keeps our lakes healthy. We recommend using rest facilities located on shore, not using soaps or shampoos in the lakes, and using trash containers on our boats and at our campsites. We encourage you to cleanyour watercraft and gear before leaving any water access or shoreland, taking special care to remove any aquatic plants, especially invasive specieslike zebra mussels. To ensure our kids will have healthy lakes to play in, and our loons and other wildlife will have a suitable habitat, we can start with keeping our waters clean today.

The lakes are a special place that we hope people will get to enjoy for generations to come. Thank you in advance for respecting freshwater ecosystems not only this upcoming weekend, but each day following. We want to keep the Common Loons common and we need your help. The magical call of the loon contributes to making your experience in the north woods so memorable- so join us in answering the call and protecting our loons long into the future.

Photo by Ava Rohleder

Wishing you all a safe and fun summer in the North Woods!