A newly installed forested buffer in Pennsylvania: Buffers, like these between farm fields and waterways, greatly improve nutrient loss from fields.(Stroud Water Research Center)
As stewards of the land, farmers respect nature. By planting forested buffers within 35 feet of all streams on their farms, farmers can protect waterways and build habitats.
Resources are available to support landowners who are proactive about protecting waters and their farms’ future. By creating forested buffers, also called riparian or streamside buffers, nutrient runoff into waterways can be significantly reduced.
Forested buffers have the capacity to filter out an estimated: (Source: the Bay Program)
- 19%-65% of nitrogen
- 30%-45% of phosphorus
- 40%-60% of sediment
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed is home to 288,000 miles of stream banks. Currently, about 55% of these banks have forested buffers in place - a number growing each day thanks to farmers like you.
Stand up for clean water and build a better future.
Click here to access free technical resources, on-farm support and incentives to see all the benefits forested buffers can bring. Unlike some methods to clean waters that lose effectiveness over time, many benefits related to a forested buffer increase, as the buffer ages. So besides creating a zone of protection for waterways, planting buffer trees will grow your conservation legacy for generations to come.
Create a growing stream of benefits with every buffer tree planted.
1. Filters pollution
Streamside trees, known as riparian forested buffers — trees planted in the 35 feet area between farm fields and all streams — are extremely effective at reducing runoff.
2. Protects stream banks
Healthy forested buffers stabilize stream banks and reduce soil erosion. Tree roots help hold soils in place; roots, fallen branches and logs reduce runoff and lower stream flow velocity, protecting your soil.
3. Provide fish and wildlife habitats
The organic material entering the stream from forested buffers delivers food for stream organisms at the foundation of the aquatic food web.
4. Cools streams and sustains sensitive species
With leafy canopies to shade and cool water, sensitive species of fish and plants are protected from the stresses of sharp temperature fluctuations. Cooler, more stable temperatures also promote beneficial algae, aquatic insects and higher oxygen content.
5. Defends your independence and establishes a legacy of conservation stewardship for your farm and family
By being proactive in reducing soil erosion and nutrient runoff while protecting waterways, you’re building a legacy of leadership in conservation farming that will build value for generations to come.
Stand up for clean water and build a better future.
Click here to access free technical resources, on-farm support and incentives to see all the benefits forested buffers can bring.
