Key Managed Natural Landscapes Definitions

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

• Landscape buffer area means a 5-foot buffer from the back of any curb and a 3-foot buffer from any side or rear property lines.
• Managed natural landscape means a planned, intentional, and maintained planting of native or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, forbs, ferns, shrubs, or trees, including but not limited to rain gardens, meadow vegetation, pollinator habitats, and ornamental plants. The term “managed natural landscape” does not include turf grass lawns left unattended for the purpose of returning to a natural state.
• Meadow vegetation means grasses and flowering broad-leaf plants that are native to, or adapted to, the state of Minnesota, and that are commonly found in meadow and prairie plant communities. The term “meadow vegetation” does not include noxious weeds.
• Native vegetation means those indigenous trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses and other plants that have naturally adapted themselves to the climate and soils of the area but require cultivation and maintenance to remain viable. The term “native vegetation” does not include noxious weeds or turf grass.
• Natural habitat means a specially uncultivated valued and sensitive habitat whereupon native vegetation or rain gardens exists in a pristine state and provides habitat for a variety of species native to the area, which vegetation shall maintain itself in a stable condition with minimal human intervention.
• Noxious weed means an annual, biennial, or perennial plant that the commissioner of agriculture designates to be injurious to public health, the environment, public roads, crops, livestock, or other property.
• Ornamental plants means grasses, perennials, annuals, and groundcovers purposely planted for aesthetic reasons.
• Pollinator habitat means a managed natural landscape that not only serves as a habitat and food source for pollinators, but also reduce chemical runoff into local waterways and produce food free of potentially harmful pesticides.
• Rain garden means a native plant garden that is designed not only to aesthetically improve properties, but also to reduce the amount of stormwater and accompanying pollutants from entering streams, lakes, and rivers.
• Turf grass means grass that is commonly used in regularly cut lawns or play areas, including but not limited to bluegrass, fescue, and rye grass blends.