CREATING LASTING CONNECTIONS TO NATURE SINCE 1973.

TODAY’S PRESENTERS:

Kate Ebel, Senior Environmental Scientist

Michael Hock, GIS Specialist

Long Term Strategies for Riparian Forest Buffers

MISSION & VISION

Founded in 1973, we are the Lehigh Valley’s premiere nonprofit land trust.

VISION: A Lehigh Valley and Lehigh River watershed that contain natural areas, connected green spaces, healthy waterways and an enlightened community where people embrace conservation and sustainability.

MISSION: Protect and restore critical natural areas and waterways, and educate the community to create a legacy of a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations.

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Where We Work

There are about 2,000 miles of streams in the Lehigh River watershed

What We Do• Land Protection: Protected more than 54,000 acres of

high-value conservation lands. We own & manage 9 nature preserves.

• Environmental Stewardship: Steward thousands of acres of wildlife habitat through restoration and management practices.

• Education & Recreation: Provide nature-based education for more than 15,000 school-age kids annually. Provide hundreds of education and recreation programs for local communities annually.

• Trails & Greenways: Develop trail links and greenways through natural areas and along waterways.

PARTNERSHIPS!

Wildlands Conservancy works with public & private landowners to improve the health of their streams and the sustainability of their land through these restoration methods:

• Riparian buffer plantings and streambank restoration• Wildlife habitat management• Dam removal and stream restoration• Agricultural Best Management Practices

Wildlands’ Stream Restoration Services

Wildlands Conservancy’s Riparian Buffer Work

• 45-year history of stream and habitat restoration

• 2017 Lehigh Valley focus on buffer restoration:– With the help of DCNR & other

funders, Wildlands planted at 10 sites on approximately 8.5 acres

– More than 18 partners: municipalities, Environmental Advisory Councils, watershed associations, Trout Unlimited groups, conservation districts, state agencies, schools, private landowners

• 2018 and beyond:– Wildlands completed 12 buffer

restoration projects in 2018 comprising 18 acres

– Many more planned for 2019 and future years

– Expanded partnerships– Many coincide with instream

restoration efforts 7

Past Riparian Buffer Analysis Efforts

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• Efforts in 2014 to prioritize Lehigh Valley buffer restoration needs based on:– Existing buffer length and width– Surrounding land use– Potential for expansion– Landowner type

• Need to develop strategy for looking at the Lehigh Valley as a whole

The Lehigh Valley Riparian Buffer Gap Analysis

The Analysis• Analyzed existing riparian corridor along approximately 1,100 miles of

Lehigh Valley streams

• Used newly available University of Vermont 1-m High-Resolution Land Cover data to determine existing buffer composition and identify gaps in buffer coverage

Why?• Comprehensive analysis of Lehigh Valley buffer needs

• Strategic approach to future buffer work

• Create a resource for those working in buffer restoration

• Identify opportunities for partnership

• Leverage existing projects and funding

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The Buffer Analysis Process

Spatial Analysis

• Used aerial imagery to create stream polygons and lines– Polygons for large streams

– Lines for small streams

– Ensure accuracy of riparian buffer assessment location

• Created 50-foot buffer on either side of the streams– Area along either side of the

stream to be looked at for gaps in riparian buffer coverage

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The Buffer Analysis Process Continued

Land Cover Analysis

• Clipped the University of Vermont 1-m High-Resolution Land Cover data to the 50-foot buffer

• Selected the following Land Cover classifications:– a. Barren

– b. Low Vegetation

– c. Scrub/Shrub

– d. Tree Canopy

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Classified as “Buffer

Opportunity Areas”

The Buffer Analysis Process Continued

“Forested” Land Cover

• Of the remaining Tree Canopy land cover raster cells:– Many consist of mowed grass with

sparse trees giving the appearance of tree canopy

– Used aerial imagery to identify areas where mowed grass is actually the predominant land cover

– Opportunity to expand and enhance existing tree canopy

– Added these to the “Buffer Opportunity Area”

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The Final Product

Buffer Opportunity Areas

• Consist of:– Barren Land

– Low Vegetation

– Scrub/Shrub

– Areas with scattered trees and mowed grass

• Targeted areas for forested riparian buffers establishment and/or enhancement

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The Online Mapping Tool

Opportunity Areas on an Interactive Map

• ArcGIS Online

• Publicly accessible

• Useful for municipalities, partners, public, etc.

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The Results

Lehigh Valley Breakdown

• Approximately 3,639 acres of Buffer Opportunity Area– 23% of Lehigh Valley Buffer Area

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• Most Opportunity Areas on private land– About 86%

The Uses

Online Mapping Tool

• Comprehensive identification of gaps in buffer coverage, where planting is possible

• Potential planting sites can be identified based on:– Stream, watershed, municipality, or other general location

– Landowner type (i.e. public, agricultural, utility, etc.)

– Land cover type (i.e. existing vegetation type)

– Proximity to impaired stream reaches

– Proximity to existing and proposed trails

• Can be used to:– Identify new project areas

– Analyze buffer coverage in a given area (i.e. in a watershed)

– Match up buffer restoration needs with existing project areas

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A Regional Approach to Buffer Restoration

• Using the mapping tool to identify priority work areas

• Wildlands is set up to offer technical assistance and project management – can approach landowners with a plan for the site and resources to get things moving

• Engage partners working in those areas – i.e. EACs, watershed associations, TU chapters, community environmental organizations

• Work with landowners on a regional scale to create a competitive application 17

The Lehigh Valley Greenways Partnership

Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape

• Conservation Landscape thrives due to strong partnerships

• Past and ongoing collaboration and work on shared goals

• More than 20 state, regional, and local organizations

• Creation of a riparian buffer task force

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Wildlands’ Strategies in Riparian Buffer Restoration

1. Development of strong partnerships

2. Working with municipalities on public spaces

3. Engaging the public

4. Leveraging and expanding other restoration work

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Strategy 1: Development of Strong Partnerships

• Network of contacts and resources for outreach• Strong base of support • Local knowledge, expertise, and diverse perspectives• Wider audience for public engagement• Broad-based partnership creates strong public impression

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Leveraging Partnerships: Bethlehem City’s Saucon Park

• Phase I plantings 2017

• Phase II plantings 2018

• Partnerships: City of Bethlehem, Saucon Creek Watershed Association, Bethlehem EAC, Northampton County Conservation District, PA DCNR, Lehigh Valley Greenways, PPL

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Partnering to Work with Private Landowners

• Majority of streamside property is private• Education - establishing buffers as the solution• Relationship-building• Recognition of local partners

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A Matter of Education – Connecting the Problem with the Right Solution

• Many landowners with poor streamside management practices, leading to:– Flooding – Erosion– Property damage

• Attempted fixes only exacerbate or push the problem downstream– Riprap/dumping rock by eroded banks– Gabion baskets

• The solution:– Riparian buffer plantings– No-mow zones

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Educating Landowners: Oughoughton Creek Restoration

24Photo from Landstudies’ Oughoughton Creek Watershed Assessment

Strategy 2: Working with Municipalities on Public Spaces

• Large contiguous tracts of stream corridor– Large-scale ecological benefits on longer reaches of land

• High visibility– Provides a model for streamside management

• Opportunity for educational outreach– Signage, public meetings, project tours

• Partnership opportunity– Municipalities, conservation groups, volunteers

• Opportunity to combine riparian buffer restoration with other projects– Park enhancement/greenways/trails

Ecological Restoration in Public Spaces

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Monocacy Park, City of Bethlehem

Wayne A. Grube Park, Northampton County

Emmaus Borough

Working with Municipalities: How to Begin

1st: Plan your grow zones and access areas along the stream• Decide width along the stream to leave

as “no mow” areas • Plan for a section or two where you’d like

to access the stream and keep a mowed path

2nd: Plant additional trees, shrubs, and wildflowers to stabilize stream banks and support fish and wildlife habitat

3rd: Allow grow zones to grow (no mowing) and only mow access areas

Example Grow Zones in Public Spaces

Strategy 3: Engaging the Public

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Strategy 4: Leveraging and Expanding Restoration Work

Opportunities to combine riparian buffer restoration with other efforts:• Instream restoration and habitat

improvement• Streambank stabilization • Help satisfy MS4 requirements as

applicable• Invasive species management• Open space/park development• Rain & pollinator gardens• Trail development along streams

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Trees and Trails

Buffer Opportunity Areas & Trails• 40 existing trails along stream

corridors, totaling 286 miles– 19.1 miles of which fall within

Opportunity Areas

• 56 proposed trails along stream corridors, totaling 300 miles– 8.3 miles of which fall within

Opportunity Areas

Riparian Buffers along Trails• Model BMPs - demonstration of

well-managed natural resources• Opportunity for public education

and engagement• Expanded recreational

opportunities• Opportunity to experience nature

in public spaces• Create wildlife habitat and

improve waterways31

Trees and Trails: Coplay Creek and the Ironton Rail Trail

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Trees and Trails: Bushkill Creek Restoration

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Upcoming Projects: Bethlehem Township’s Municipal Park

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The Basics of Buffers: Visiting the Site

• Before planting, visit the site with the landowner– Get details about property

use– Stream access needs

• Things to consider during the visit:– Access for

planting/equipment– Existing vegetation, including

invasives– Limitations to planting

• Utilities• Infrastructure• Land use

– Site conditions and flooding frequency

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The Basics of Buffers: Plant Options

Live Stakes:- Easier to plant- Stretch budget- Only certain species- Limited to

immediate floodplain

- Lower survival rate- Need more

maintenance/care

Bare Root: - Wider species

selection- Another budget

saver- Medium survival

rate- Hard to store- Longer

establishment time

Container Stock:- High success rate- More species

options- Less danger from

competing vegetation

- More involved planting

- Costly

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The Basics of Buffers: Species Selection• River birch• Swamp white oak• Willow oak• Eastern redbud• American sycamore• Tulip poplar• Black willow• Silver maple• Red maple• Black gum• Common hackberry• Shadbush serviceberry• Silky dogwood• Red osier dogwood• Common ninebark• Buttonbush• Elderberry• Winterberry • Arrowwood viburnum• American cranberrybush• Pussy willow

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The Basics of Buffers: Deer Protection

• Tree tubes

• Fencing

• Wire cages

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Photos of tree tubes, wire cages, etc.

The Basics of Buffers: Maintenance

• Inspection of tree tubes/stakes• Flooding – maintenance after

storm events• Invasive species control• Annual visual inspections and

maintenance visits

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Fostering Success Long-Term

• Overcoming challenges:– Public perception

– Invasive species

– Turnover/lack of communication in municipal staff

– Deer

– Ensuring the buffer stays in place

• Monitoring and maintenance

• PARTNERSHIPS

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Overcoming Challenges: Keeping the Buffer in Place

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Educational Outreach– Signage– Project Tours/Community

Engagement– Hosting buffer workshops for park

staff– Landowner maintenance

agreements

Planning – Develop riparian buffer planting

plan with landowner– Map riparian buffer location as

reference for park staff– Delineate riparian buffer boundary

and stream access areas• Tree row• Split rail fencing• “No Mow” or “Naturalized Area”

plaques

Technical Assistance– Provide guidance in invasive species

management as buffer gets established

– Tree tubes and deer protection

Past Successes: Trout Creek

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BEFORE

Past Successes: Trout Creek

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AFTER

Ongoing Challenges: Trout Creek

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2013

2015

Partnership Roles

Wildlands Conservancy’s Role:– Partner with municipalities and watershed partners to guide restoration efforts – Develop grant proposals & secure project funding – Conduct project management – planning & implementation– Public engagement & educational outreach

Landowner’s Role:– Provide permission for the project– Involved throughout site design and layout– Help with site prep and some labor– Long-term maintenance of site

Watershed Partners’ Role: – Help secure approval from the landowner– Support the project in the planning stages– Assistance in project implementation – volunteer engagement and planting

events– Local eyes and ears – know the area and the community

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Thank You!

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Kate Ebel, Senior Environmental Scientist Michael Hock, GIS Specialist

610.965.4397, ext. 137 610.965.4397, ext. 132

kebel@wildlandspa.org mhock@wildlandspa.org