Riparian Buffers

This section provides more detailed information about the importance of riparian buffers, instructions about streamside planting, a list of Catskill native trees and shrubs and where to get them and other guidance about proper management of the streamside area.

Diagram about buffer functions
Information on planting buffers
Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative Page – Assists landowners with technical and financial assistance for their riparian buffers.
Map of riparian buffer restoration projects as of October 31, 2018.

Native Trees, Shrubs and Forbs (Grasses) for Different Purposes

Click on topics within the boxes below for a list of native plants for various planting purposes.

Wildlife	Seasonal Interest	Plant Attributes	Range of Conditions	Extreme Conditions	Specific Purpose
Butterflies	Spring	Flower	Wet To Dry	Hot, Dry	Streambank Stabilization
Birds	Summer	Foliage	Sun To Shade	Very Shady	Deer Resistant
Small Mammals	Fall	Bark	Various Soils	Very Wet	Lawn Alternatives
Other Wildlife	Winter	Seed/Fruit	Climate	Clay/Rocky Soils	Rain Garden

Click here for native plant vendor list

In addition to allowing the growth of diverse streamside buffers, properly dispose of yard and household waste.

Unfortunately, some people think of streams as garbage dumps. Debris can become a hazard during floods, and it can pose a threat to our groundwater. Remove old tires, garbage, and litter from your property and store these materials as far from the stream as possible. Waste from pets and livestock is a significant source excess nutrients and bacteria. Dispose of your pet’s waste in the trash and store and livestock manure properly. Finally, hazardous substance such as paints, thinners, solvents, grease, oil, carpet cleaning water, pool and spa water and detergents should not be dumped into streams, septics or stormwater collection systems. Your town or county may sponsor a day (i.e. Clean Sweep in Delaware County) to collect household hazard waste. Using alternatives, or reusing and recycling hazardous fluids and other products, can reduce the amount of waste produced in the first place.

Links and Resources

Click on the links below for more information:

Center for Watershed Protection
Chesapeake Bay Forest Buffer Program
Connecticut River website & factsheets
Hudson River Estuary Program: Trees for Tribs
Pennsylvania DCNR: Landscaping with native plants
Plant Conservation Alliance
Westchester County: A Guide to Aquatic Buffers (3.8 MB)

Inventory, Classification and Description of Riparian Natural Community Reference Types for West Kill Watershed, NY, 2009
The Reveg Edge
USDA Plants database
VT ANR Riparian Buffer Documents
Wild Ones
Wild Type
Gardening Tips
How To Install A Rain Garden
Riparian Buffer Dos and Dont’s
Conserving Natural Areas and Wildlife in Your Community – NYSDEC

Ways To Get Involved

Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative – The goal of the CSBI is to inform and assist landowners in better stewardship of their riparian (streamside) area through protection, enhancement, management, or restoration.

Click on the links below for more information:

Riparian Health Checklist
Riparian Health Assessment
Stream ReLeaf Program

Click here for further reading