Trees and shrubs planted along streams create areas called riparian buffers, help restore water quality, prevent erosion, provide shade for wildlife and prevent pollution runoff.

Since 2001, the Western PA Conservancy's watershed conservation staff and volunteers have planted more than 66,000 riparian trees, from silver maple trees to redbuds!

Seven years ago, our watershed conservation team planted riparian trees at Yellow Creek State Park in Indiana County.

Check out the photos to see what the area looks like now!

Would you like to learn about getting riparian trees planted on your land? Please contact Alysha at atrexler@paconserve.org or 724-471-7202 x 5106.

More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western PA Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, join them on Instagram, visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.  Click Here to support their work.

The Conservancy has helped to establish 11 state parks, conserved more than 250,000 acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, maintains 132 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of more than 11,000 volunteers and the support of more than 9,000 members.

(Reprinted from Western PA Conservancy Water Land Life newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Other Tree Resource Links:

-- Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership: Information, Assistance, Trees

-- Your County Conservation District

Related Articles:

-- House Committee Hears Benefits Of Forested Stream Buffers-- Increasing Property Values, Water Quality Improvements, Reduced Impacts From Flooding; Builders, Republican Chair Worried About A ‘Taking’ Of Property  [PaEN]

-- Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, Partners: October Is Riparian Buffer Month!  Join Special Events Near You! Build Awareness. Share Tips, Facts!

-- 414 Acres Of Forestland Added To Elk State Forest In Cameron County By Western PA Conservancy  [PaEN]

-- Western PA Conservancy Begins Accepting Canoe Access Development Grants Oct. 16  [PaEN]

[Posted: October 3, 2023]

10/9/2023