Location: Multiple counties within south central and south eastern PA
Partners Involved: Juniata County Conservation District, York County Conservation District
Type of Buffer: Volunteer program working on urban, residential, and agricultural land
Summitted by: Rebecca Lauver
Riparian Ranger David Lauver completes his monthly site check of a riparian forest buffer planted in 2019 in Christiana, PA. Ensuring that stakes and tree shelters are properly installed is crucial during the first several years of establishment. Photo Credit: Rebecca Lauver
Riparian Rangers is an Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay project that provides much-needed maintenance support on newly planted riparian forest buffers within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Started in 2019, the Riparian Rangers project trains and supports volunteers who monitor and tend to forest plantings monthly over the growing season. Volunteers remove invasive species, fix tree shelters and stakes, remove bird nets, and perform other much needed tasks that are crucial for a successful tree planting. Historically, many riparian forest buffer plantings did not receive follow-up maintenance; however, the additional work that Riparian Rangers complete dramatically increases the survivorship and success of forest plantings.
At the launch of the Juniata County Riparian Rangers Branch, Ryan Davis (second from the right) demonstrates how to identify the invasive species, multiflora rose. Riparian Rangers are trained and provided with invasive species identification resources so they can monitor and remove invasive species within their buffer plantings. Photo Credit: Rebecca Lauver
The Riparian Rangers project is expanding to support partner organizations through regionally focused “Branches” around the watershed. Currently, there are 57 active Riparian Rangers with 2 established Branches: one in York County and the other in Juniata County. The Alliance is also growing the project to include sites planted by the Maryland forestry team. The end goal of this program is to ensure all riparian buffers within the Chesapeake Bay have access to regular monitoring and maintenance for the first 3 years after their planting while providing opportunities for more people to be involved in forest restoration work.
Would you like to help boost the success of tree plantings near you? Fill out the Riparian Rangers inquiry form and we’ll coordinate with you to find a site for you to take care of!
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.
