Riparian Buffer Restoration

Riparian buffers are grasses, wildflowers, trees, and shrubs planted along streams, lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water.  These buffers provide a transition between human land use and waterways.

 Benefits

Protect Waterways: Riparian buffers are the most effective means to protect water resources as they filter chemicals, sediment, and pollutants before they enter the watershed.  Native plants have very deep, extensive root systems. This root system helps the plants filter out pollutants before they reach our creeks and drinking water supplies. Non-native lawn grasses have shallow root systems. As a result, rain mixed with fertilizers and other chemicals run off these areas.

Reduce Soil Erosion: The extensive root system of native plants allows them to absorb and store great amounts of water which plays an important function in preventing flooding and erosion. Non-native grasses, including most lawn grasses, have shallow root systems that do not absorb and retain water.

Reduce geese problems: The addition of vegetation around ponds deters geese from leaving the water and becoming a nuisance in yards and sidewalks.

Algae Control: Buffer strips around retention ponds help absorb excess nutrients before they enter the pond (see above comments).  This reduces the presence of algae which can reduce the need for water treatments.