Why say these shoreline plants? Because they help to protect our lake and save our fish. Plants improve water quality by acting as a buffer, filtering out sediment and debris. The roots act as solar-powered filters that are highly effective at removing pollutants from the water. Natural riparian plants usually have deep roots that help to maintain the bank or shoreline structure by holding the soil together. Ligitation provides a barrier to the erosive power of water. By reducing erosion, less sediment enters the lake and river. Pacific willows have flexible stems that bend and form an effective liner for streams during high water, while their fibrous roots help hold the soil in place year-round. They can re-root if broken or damaged by ungulates like deer and elk or by storms and debris. Deer and elk browse on willow twigs and foliage and birds and small game eat their catkins and buds. Their dense growth provides cover and nesting sites. Their pollen is an important source of food for bees. Willows attract insects that fish feed on and by shading streams, they mitigate heartfully warm water temperatures. How do you create a pristine and natural shoreline by leaving it alone or by developing it with access like this or like this? In what if the natural vegetation was already gone when you got your property or it was developed before the riparian area regulation made removing native vegetation within the riparian setback illegal many new homeowners find themselves in this position, carefully tended native plantings and the passage of time can restore the natural habitat. If you allow the native plants to grow over time they fill in holding the beach and bringing back the animals and the fish. Let nature's woody debris line your shore once people thought that retaining walls protected their shoreline from erosion. Now we know that wave action rebuffed by man-made structures simply transfers its energy to the lake bed. This place's bottom sediment and creates a sterile environment over time walls weaken and crumble. Professionals and groups such as the couch and lake and river stewards can help you remove invasive plants like Himalayan Blackberry and St. John's wort and then help you replant using native plants and live stakes. Since 2014 the Cowachan shoreline stewardship project student team under the guidance of a group of local environmental professionals has restored over 30 properties your property can be restored as well. 30 years of weeding this beach finally we talked to the lake stewards and the value of possibility of a natural shorefront. What a difference that information and education made for us we now have a tremendous pride in this changing waterfront and we're sharing this philosophy with our grandchildren. So struck by their expertise dedication and kindness and as we watch our waterfront grow and change we look forward to the growth of our relationship with CLRSS. Thank you so much. you you