Riparian Buffers

What is a riparian buffer?

A riparian buffer is the area of land next to a creek, stream, or river - the streambanks and floodplain area. In nature, riparian buffers can include trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers.

Why are riparian buffers important?

Riparian buffers decrease streambank erosion, filter sediments and pollutants commonly found in runoff, provide stormwater storage, increase wildlife habitat, provide cooler water and air temperatures, and increase groundwater infiltration.

Riparian buffers provide environmental and recreational benefits to creeks, streams, and rivers, and improve water quality and downstream land areas.

How can YOU participate?

If you are a streamside landowner within the Illinois River Watershed, IRWP will provide trees, planting, and one year of monitoring free of charge! We will plant native tree and shrub species along the streambank to help improve water quality, wildlife habitat and streambank stabilization! For more information, contact Stephanie at stephanie@irwp.org or call 479-215-6623.