Forested riparian buffer strips of perennial vegetation contribute to
sustainable agriculture by reducing soil loss, improving water quality,
and stabilizing stream banks. Buffer strips of trees, shrubs, forbs, and
grasses improve aesthetics and wildlife habitat. Forested buffer strips
also make good financial sense if they are installed through the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP). The forested riparian buffer (CP22) practice allows
landowners to maximize the number of acres that they can enroll in the
continuous CRP. In fact choosing the forested riparian buffer will allow
one-third more area to eligible for the program's 15 year rental payment.
 Environmental
and Conservation Benefits from Buffers
Find
out how buffers benefit water quality and wildlife.
Financial
Benefits of Buffer Planting
Find out how forested riparian buffers can benefit you financially.
Do
I Qualify for the Continuous CRP
Find out if you qualify for a riparian buffer or a field windbreak
under the continuous CRP.
Where
Do I Get Help in Designing My Buffer
Find out where you can go for help in learning more about buffers
and the continuous CRP program. Also, discover who can meet with
you on the ground and design a buffer or field windbreak for your
property.
Where
Do I Get Iowa Grown Trees & Shrubs
When undertaking any tree or shrub planting project it is always
best to utilize native grown plant material. Iowa grown trees and shrubs
from a native seed source will be better adapted to our climate and
growing conditions than seedlings from other regions of the country.
There are several excellent sources of Iowa grown conservation tree
and shrub seedlings available for your riparian buffer planting. For
information on the sources of tree and shrub seedlings from Iowa's private
and public nurseries click the link above.
Buffer
Photo Gallery
A picture is worth a thousand words, check out this photo gallery
for pictures of Iowa riparian buffers.
Download
A Buffer Brochure (pdf)
More Information on Buffers
Links to Iowa
State University buffer site.
Link
to Iowa NRCS buffer site.
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