buffers for clean water and habitat
DESCRIPTION
Riparian buffers provide all kinds of benefits—from water quality to wildlife habitat to beyond. This session will provide provide an overview of the types of buffers and their effectiveness for different goals, and use both rural and urban case studies from the Great Lakes and elsewhere to illustrate proven strategies for implementing buffer protection and restoration in your watershed. Discussion and sharing of lessons learned in your own projects will be encouraged—come with stories! This presentation was given by Merritt Frey, River Habitat Program Director, River Network.TRANSCRIPT
Riparian Buffers for Clean Water & Habitat: An Introduction
Merritt Frey Habitat Program Director [email protected] 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.