This document discusses riparian buffers and their benefits for water quality and habitat. It begins with an introduction and agenda, then discusses the benefits and barriers of buffers. It provides three case studies as short examples, including descriptions of the buffer types used, approaches taken, and results and lessons from each project at Cedar Creek, Pierceville Run and the Pecatonica River. The presentation concludes with considerations for buffer projects, and links to additional resources.

1. Riparian Buffers for
Clean Water &
Habitat:
An Introduction
Merritt Frey
Habitat Program Director
mfrey@rivernetwork.org
801-486-1224

2. AGENDA
Introduction
Benefits & barriers
3 short case studies
Questions & answers
Learning resources

3. Three Bs
Take home
4 cases
In-depth
Q&A
Resources

4. Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Carlson Creek – 8/1989
Q&A
Resources
Carlson Creek – 8/1993
Images: MIDEQ

5. Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Image: Iowa State

6. Benefits & barriers
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Images:
Innovationalberta.org
and NIWA

7. Pollution control
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Image: Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural
Resources Conservation Service

8. Wildlife habitat
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Image: Montana Audubon

9. Room to meander
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Image: SEWRPC

10. Flood protection
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Image: www.news.sun.perdue..edu
Image: www.unce.unr.edu

11. Others….
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources

12. Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources

13. Barriers to buffers
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources

14. Questions?

15. Themes to consider
Intro
§ Remember the diversity of benefits.
Two Bs
§ Be explicit about goals; tailor design
& implementation.
Examples
§ Invest time in planning.
Q&A
§ Understand buffers rarely stand
alone.
Resources
§ Think about maintenance from go.
§ Be creative for long-term protection.

16. Cedar Creek: Intro
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Muskegon River, Source: Wikipedia

17. Cedar Creek: Type
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Forested buffer, Source: USFS

18. Cedar Creek: Approach
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources

19. Cedar Creek: Results
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Treated
19% of the creek’s length
Created
11 acres of
forest
buffers
Planted
More
than
10,000
seedlings

20. Cedar Creek: Lessons
Intro
§ Think early about project partners.
Two Bs
§ Be creative when establishing
protection for restored buffers.
Examples
Q&A
Resources
§ Building off an existing watershed plan
can help target key areas & practices.
§ Good projects don’t always cost a
fortune.

21. Pierceville Run: Intro
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources

22. Pierceville Run: Type
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Source: www.extension.umn.edu
Q&A
Resources
Source: PADEP

23. Pierceville Run: Approach
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources

24. Pierceville Run: Results
Intro
Two Bs
39%
sediment
39%
phosphorus
Examples
Q&A
Resources

25. 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.

26. Pecatonica: Intro
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Image: The Nature Conservancy

27. Pecatonica: Type
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Image: USGS

28. Pecatonica: Approach
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Images: The Nature Conservancy

29. Pecatonica: Results
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Image: The Nature Conservancy

30. Pecatonica: Lessons
§ Targeting may be
critical.
Intro
Two Bs
§ Integrate uplands
and buffers.
Examples
§ Baseline data and
planning essential.
Q&A
Resources
Image: The Nature Conservancy
§ Bringing resources
to the table
supports action.

31. Questions? Stories?
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
Image: River Restoration

32. Resources
Intro
Two Bs
Examples
Q&A
Resources
www.rivernetwork.org/buffertools
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More information on case studies
Additional case studies
Links to select technical information
Links specifically to more on the
Wisconsin Buffer Initiative.