Snags and Fallen Trees

Woody structure along a shoreline is often sought after by turtles which bask on dry, well exposed surfaces.

Amphibians typically seek out moist habitats, often taking cover under woody objects that retain moisture.

Logs that extend into shallow wetlands or water act as sponges, retaining moisture long after the shallow wetland or surrounding area has dried up for the summer.

Dead and Dying Trees.

Standing dead and dying trees provide cavities for nesting and roosting species, such as woodpeckers, owls, wood ducks, mergansers, prothonotary warblers, and fishers.

Ospreys prefer sturdy dead trees near water for nesting sites. Many birds perch on dead limbs near rivers and lakes to forage and rest, such as kingfishers.

Pollination

Pollination of native plants (as well as our food crops) is a critical ecosystem service provided by native insects, birds, and bats who have adapted to the shapes, sizes, colors, and smells of the native plants.

Many garden cultivars provide little food value for potential pollinators compared to native species.

Animals, wind, and water also carry pollen and disperse seeds across the landscape. This reinforces the importance of planting natives to prevent the unintentional spread of undesirable plant species.

Breeding Habitat

Wildlife need connecting corridors of vegetation from the shore to important upland habitats.

Shallow wetlands without fish provide critical breeding sites for certain species of frogs, toads, and salamanders. Eggs and larvae of species such as the wood frog, spring peeper, and tiger salamander are preyed on by fish and typically do not coexist in the same wetland as fish.

Many bird species migrate thousands of miles each year from warmer climates to breed and raise their young in Minnesota's wetlands, forests, and grasslands.