Build a Buffer
Buffers are vegetated areas that serve as natural boundaries between local waterways and human activity. One of the most important things you can do to protect our water is establish a vegetated buffer. Buffers protect water quality by filtering pollutants, sediment, and nutrients from runoff, stabilizing stream banks, regulating water temperature, and providing flood control.
A well designed buffer can. . .
- remove up to 50% or more of nutrients and pesticides.
- remove up to 60% or more of certain pathogens?
- remove up to 75% or more of sediment? For more information and additional resources, check out the United States Department of Agriculture website.
For more information on using native plants when establishing your buffer, check out this website from the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
