Location: Centre County, Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania Furnace, PA)
Partners Involved: ClearWater Conservancy, Radzwich Family, ClearWater volunteers, WHM Group, Bud Snyder Excavating, Native Creations Landscape Services, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, R & R Fencing, PA DEP’s Growing Greener Program, Naionall Fish & Wildlife Foundation
Type of Buffer: Agricultural
Submitted by: Andrea Murrell
In spring 2017, ClearWater Conservancy, volunteers, and partners restored 3.8 acres of stream bank on the Radzwich Family’s beef farm along a tributary to the Beaver Branch of Spruce Creek.
The streambanks were restored through grading, rebuilding, and finally repairing them with toewood, rock, soil, willow cuttings, coconut mats, and native grasses. Live stakes were also planted into the new streambanks to add additional roots and further stabilize the banks.
As part of a whole farm conservation plan, streambank fencing and livestock crossings were installed to allow access to all the different pasture areas while keeping the farm animals out of the stream. A water trough and feeder were installed uphill and away from the stream to replace the stream as a water source and improve the pasture management for the farmer. The buffer area was then planted with 3 gallon native trees and shrubs to shade the stream and maintain the cool water temperatures needed for trout and aquatic life to thrive. Bald Eagles and many other wildlife species have been seen on the farm since the buffer was planted. More details can be found here.
This post Is part of the first annual CCLC Riparian Buffer Month.
For more information check out our page ,
If you would like to support professional training of landscape professionals in the design, instillation, and maintenance of riparian buffers, please donate today to the CBLP-Buffers scholarship fund. We believe that landscape professionals have a unique ability to directly affect the health of our landscapes- and your donation will directly assist a professional in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to pursue training.
