(11/2024) I recently had the pleasure of volunteering at Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve. About twelve volunteers partnered with staff from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Strawberry Hill to plant a riparian buffer along Swamp Creek. A riparian buffer, or stream buffer, is an area immediately alongside a waterway, which shades and partially protects the stream from the impacts of adjacent land. The benefits of healthy riparian buffers are multi-fold and have huge significance here and downstream. As I have learned about the importance of our local waterways, I have decided to take the plunge and begin studying to become a Penn State Extension certified Master Watershed Steward. At 51 years old I know I have done my fair share of harm to the planet and our county environment, so I figure it is time for me to pay it back. Read on to learn more.

Strawberry Hill is dedicated to educating the public on nature and in preserving their entry point to the Michaux forest. There is no better local place than Strawberry Hill to learn about clean water. On October 24th the Chesapeake Bay Foundation delivered 125 trees to Strawberry Hill and gave volunteers instructions in how to plant these trees along Swamp Creek. These trees serve many purposes beyond helping to absorb phosphorus and nitrogen from the soil. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment are the largest pollutants to the Bay, which is why the Chesapeake Bay Foundation donated the trees. Beyond this benefit, these trees will provide food and habitat for local wildlife. Locally, perhaps the most obvious benefit from these trees is flood mitigation. As rainstorms have tended to be larger and more intense, surface run-off into waterways is increasing faster than the land can absorb. This results in flooded roads and property damage. While these few trees will not stop flooding on Mt Hope Rd, it is a step forward.

As I mentioned, there are other benefits to intentional tree plantings, many benefits are local and some reach much further downstream. I believe that the local and downstream benefit are not only good for the environment, but also good for our wallets. Riparian buffers provide improved water quality, stabilization to stream banks, reduced risk of flooding, improved wildlife habitat, increased biodiversity, and improved aesthetics. Not all of these seem to have economic benefit, but let’s get a clearer picture.

Improved water quality. Trees absorb excess nitrogen and sediment. This is most important near farms and construction sites. Nitrogen and sediment are both causing negative impacts to our local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. Excess nitrogen creates an environment which encourages algae growth, which in turn causes a decrease in oxygen in our water. This decreasing oxygen level harms aquatic life and in the worst cases cause algae blooms, which cause large fish kills downstream. Sediment, likewise, impacts aquatic life. Sediment physically clogs fish gills, covers streambed habitat, and can carry other toxic materials. That is not to say that nitrogen and sediment are intrinsically bad. In fact, they are both critical for healthy food production, so long as the sediment and nitrogen stay on the farm. When soil is healthy, farmers can use less fertilizer, thus reducing their costs. Another cost of nitrogen and sediment is at our water treatment facilities. Sediment in drinking water is mostly harmless to people, but ask a plumber how sediment impacts your water lines, appliances, and hot water heaters. On the other hand, too much nitrogen in drinking water is harmful to humans. Just as in the waterway, nitrogen makes it harder for our blood to hold oxygen. Our water treatment spend your money to filter out these impurities to make our water safe to drink.

Stabilizing streambanks and reduced flooding. The roots of the trees in riparian buffers literally stabilize the soil next to the creek. This prevents erosion, which reduces sediment, but also physically slows down the water coming into the creek. When too much water ends up in a waterway, the waterway will flood its banks. In many cases the stream floods, then the road floods, and then the basement floods. This basic and natural means of flood prevention, reduces both local municipal expenses and property owner costs.

Improved wildlife habitat and Increased biodiversity. As we continue to build along waterways and increase the amount of land for housing and commerce, we reduce opportunities for other animals. A simple way to tip the scales back to normal, we can intentionally plant trees along waterways that improve habitat and food for wildlife. At the Strawberry Hill planting, we planted one of my favorite local wild food trees, paw paws. When the Chesapeake Bay Foundation worked with Strawberry Hill naturalists, they developed a list of trees, which would provide the most benefit to nature. Planting trees isn’t just a willy nilly process, they analyze each location to maximize tree survival and local benefits. While these benefits don’t reflect the fiscal savings of other benefits, improving wildlife habitat and biodiversity is important to anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

Improved aesthetic. Ok, fine, this one has very little economic benefit. Improved aesthetic isn’t just about making a stream pretty. Sometimes the "ugly" sections of creeks are because invasive plants have taken over or because a tree species grew in an unsustainable area for that species. In both cases this can be improved by determining which tree species will flourish along that waterway and give nature a push in a better direction.

In the end, I believe that we have a responsibility to clean up after ourselves. If you share this belief and want to find ways that you can help, just contact me. Or trust the experts at the Adams County Conservation District, Penn State Extension, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

I have only scratched the surface of this topic, but I want to learn more. To the end, I am attended the Penn State Extension information session on becoming a Master Watershed Steward. The session will be held on December 10th at 6:30 at 670 Old Harrisburg Rd Gettysburg,17325. The actual classes will be held on Thursday from February 20th through May 29th. For more information about this topic or these classes do not hesitate to reach out to Karen Kaslow at Penn State Extension at 717-398-3849 or kek5913@psu.edu