Planting trees along streambanks helps reduce erosion, improve water
quality, and provide habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife. The MRBA works with
landowners to plant trees alongside rivers and streams to protect our valuable water resources.
TREES REDUCE POLLUTION
Streamside forests reduce the amount of sediments that reach streams and help them to better process the pollution that does enter them. Healthy, forested streams are full of life, including microscopic organisms that are efficient at breaking down pollutants. Planting trees along streams supports a rich variety of life that can continue to clean our water for us, naturally.
TREES REDUCE FLOODING
Forests function like sponges. Roots from trees and shrubs break up the soil so that rainwater soaks into the ground, rather than running off the surface. This helps reduce flooding and replenish groundwater, another important source of drinking water.
The MRBA has been busy in late April planting 900 stems along local waterways with the help of volunteers. Over the past 18 years, the MRBA has planted over 23,000 trees to create streambank buffers and provide wildlife habitat.
Board President John Little, who is very passionate about tree planting and water quality protection, says: "Unforested river banks erode soil which contains phosphorous and that contributes to the nutrients in Lake Champlain. This openly eroding soil can be seen from Rt. 105 while driving. As river banks erode, the river widens, and there are no trees in the area to shade water and protect fish."
For more information on the MRBA Riparian Restoration projects, please visit: https://www.mrbavt.com/riparian-restoration