Boy Scout Troop 45 in Brainerd assisted with a conservation project June 13 on Borden Lake near Garrison and helped build awareness of the importance of buffer plantings to protect water quality.
Landowners of more than 200 acres adjacent to Borden and Kenney Lakes along with family, friends, neighbors, local residents and volunteers from three non-profit organizations participated in educational and hands-on workshop experiences, planted 11,911 square feet of upland and shoreline habitat and explored revegetation options for other areas on Borden Lake under a Community Centered Runoff Reduction Grant provided by Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District.
A 43-foot deep buffer of native trees, shrubs, prairie/savanna/wet meadow/emergent vegetation between the road and the shoreline will stabilize soil, prevent erosion, reduce water temperatures, capture sediment, debris, road pollution and add a significant amount of nutrients. In addition, a 15-feet deep upland planting and rain garden will prevent runoff from washing across the road and toward the shore.
More than 11,000 square feet of native habitat will be available for wildlife and pollinators. A total of 7,945 native plants were installed in the entire project.
The shoreline property is a release site for wildlife reintroduced by Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Garrison. Partners in the project include Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and its volunteers, Borden Lake Association, Brainerd Boy Scout Troop 45, Kenney Lake Watch Group, Hayland Woods Native Nursery and Area Master Gardeners.
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The family who owns the property for the restoration project is Bill and Corrine Knutson.
