Riparian Buffers for Clean Water & Habitat: An Introduction

Merritt Frey Habitat Program Director mfrey@rivernetwork.org 801-486-1224

Introduction

AGENDA

Benefits & barriers

3 short case studies

Questions & answers

Learning resources

Three Bs

Take home

4 cases

In-depth

Q & A

Resources

Carlson Creek – 8/1989

Carlson Creek – 8/1993 Images: MIDEQ

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Image: Iowa State

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Benefits & barriers

Images: Innovationalberta.org

and NIWA

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Pollution control

Image: Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Wildlife habitat

Image: Montana Audubon

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Room to meander

Image: SEWRPC

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Flood protection

Image: www.news.sun.perdue..edu

Image: www.unce.unr.edu

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Others….

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Barriers to buffers

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Questions?

§  Remember the diversity of benefits.

§  Be explicit about goals; tailor design & implementation.

§  Invest time in planning.

§  Understand buffers rarely stand alone.

§  Think about maintenance from go.

§  Be creative for long-term protection.

Themes to consider

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Cedar Creek: Intro

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Muskegon River, Source: Wikipedia

Cedar Creek: Type

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Forested buffer, Source: USFS

Cedar Creek: Approach

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Cedar Creek: Results

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

More than

10,000 seedlings

Treated 19% of the creek’s length

Created

11 acres of forest buffers

Planted

Cedar Creek: Lessons

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

§ Think early about project partners. § Be creative when establishing protection for restored buffers. § Building off an existing watershed plan can help target key areas & practices. § Good projects don’t always cost a fortune.

Pierceville Run: Intro

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Pierceville Run: Type

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Source: PADEP

Source: www.extension.umn.edu 

Pierceville Run: Approach

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Pierceville Run: Results

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

39% sediment

39% phosphorus

Pierceville Run: Lessons

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

§  Think through how buffers mesh with other restoration needs.

§  Be flexible in how you prioritize focus areas.

§  Be smart about partnering – diverse skills.

§  Think about maintenance right from the beginning.

Pecatonica: Intro

Image: The Nature Conservancy

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Pecatonica: Type

Image: USGS

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Pecatonica: Approach

Images: The Nature Conservancy

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Pecatonica: Results

Image: The Nature Conservancy

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

§  Targeting may be critical.

§  Integrate uplands and buffers.

§  Baseline data and planning essential.

§  Bringing resources to the table supports action.

Pecatonica: Lessons

Image: The Nature Conservancy

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Questions? Stories?

Image: River Restoration

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

Resources

Intro

Two Bs

Examples

Q & A

Resources

www.rivernetwork.org/buffertools §  More information on case studies §  Additional case studies §  Links to select technical information §  Links specifically to more on the

Wisconsin Buffer Initiative.