Trees for Streams Program

Overview

In 2000, in partnership with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the WRP launched a very successful Trees for Streams Program that seeks to restore streamside vegetation throughout the watershed by working with local landowners to plant native trees and shrubs along their river banks – at no cost to them. To date, the WRP has partnered with more than 75 landowners throughout the watershed to plant thousands of trees along more than 17 miles of river!

Riparian buffers

Although 84% of the White River watershed is forested today, much of the land adjacent to streams and rivers has actually been deforested over the past 200 years to accommodate the development of roads and railways, housing, and farms. The loss of streamside trees and shrubs – also called riparian buffers – has resulted in lasting ecological and economical impacts throughout the White River watershed. Healthy, well-vegetated riparian buffers are essential to good water quality and aquatic habitat.

Riparian buffers filter pollutants from run-off, reduce erosion, provide shade to keep water temperatures cool for fish, ward off non-native invasive plant species, and create corridors for wildlife. Buffers also serve as the first line of defense against flood events and can safeguard property from erosion. The re-establishment of buffers through planting trees is one of the most effective and efficient ways to improve water quality, reduce erosion and flood damage, and maintain healthy fisheries in our watershed.

For more information about riparian buffers, check out the Connecticut River Joint Commissions’ fact sheets for landowners and decision makers.

Get involved

If you own streamside property in the White River watershed that lacks adequate vegetation, please call us at (802) 763-7733. We would be happy to visit your property, assess your buffer needs, and share more information about our important Trees for Streams Program.

We always need help planting native trees and shrubs each spring. If you would like to get involved, visit our volunteer events page for more details.

For more information about incorporating riparian buffers into classroom curricula, visit our Resources for Teachers page for related links.