Riparian Trees and Backyard Buffers

Sinnemahoning Watershed Association

Riparian buffers - the vegetated areas of trees, shrubs, and plants along our streams and rivers - play a huge role in protecting water quality and wildlife habitat in our communities. These natural “green buffers” help capture and filter pollutants before they reach our waterways, stabilize streambanks, reduce erosion, cool water temperatures, and support diverse wildlife, whether you’re talking about a small backyard stream or a larger waterway. 

If you’ve been thinking about improving a streamside area on your property or in your community, funds are currently available to help with riparian tree plantings through a Western Pennsylvania Conservancy initiative. Landowners in the counties that the Sinnemahoning Watershed covers can apply to have native trees and shrubs planted at no cost, with the program covering plant materials and planting labor to help restore streamside buffers. Applications are open through June 2027 - a great chance to make a positive impact on local water quality and habitat! For more information about riparian buffers, check out these resources:

https://waterlandlife.org/watershed-conservation/riparian-trees-backyard-buffers

https://weconservepa.org/blog/western-pennsylvania-conservancyriparian-restoration-tree-planting-initiative