October Is Riparian Buffer Month! Celebrate Trees And Streams!

By Kristen Koch, Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center

Celebrate stream-side trees this October with events happening around Pennsylvania during Riparian Buffer Month!

Riparian buffers, or streamside forests, are one of the best ways to protect and improve our local streams. They prevent erosion, reduce flooding, provide habitat for wildlife in and near the water, create recreational opportunities, and filter pollutants. 

They deserve to be celebrated!

Penn State Extension, the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center, and other organizations in the region partner with the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council to celebrate October as Riparian Buffer Month. 

This is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to build awareness and familiarity with forested riparian buffers while sharing the applicability of this sustainable practice in various settings. 

If you care about our streams, native plants, pollinators, the Chesapeake Bay, or love taking a walk in the woods, you are encouraged to take part in some way and participate in this month-long, focused effort to spread the word about the importance of trees planted along streams.

Click Here to check out these upcoming events and educational opportunities!

(Reprinted from the Penn State Extension Watershed Winds newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy-- bottom of page.)

Upcoming Extension Events

-- Penn State Extension: Upcoming Training And Events For Agriculture Conservationists

-- Penn State Extension 5-Part Backyard Stream Repair Webinar Series Starting Aug. 27

-- Penn State Center For Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Hosts 3-Part Conservation Cornerstone Webinar Series For Ag Professionals Starting Aug. 27  [PaEN]

-- September 24: Penn State Extension Hosts Webinar On Community Forestry - TreeKeeper - A Tool For Tree Canopy Management  [PaEN] 

-- September 24-- Penn State Extension Local Comprehensive Plans In PA Webinar, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

-- September 26-- York Master Watershed Stewards Host Tap Talk - Preserving York County Landscapes & Waterways With The Farm & Natural Lands Trust  [PaEN] 

-- October 1: Penn State Extension Introduction To On-Lot Septic Systems Webinar. Noon to 1:00 p.m. 

-- October 7-9: Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training ‘Ag Conservation Keystone Training’ in-person workshop.  Penn State’s University Park campus.

-- October 15: Penn State Extension Installation/Permitting On-Lot Septic Systems Webinar. Noon to 1:00 p.m. 

-- October 15-17: Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training ‘Ag Conservation Keystone Training’ in-person workshop. Penn State Hazleton.

-- October 16: Dept. Of Health Focus Group Sessions - How Water Well Owners Prepare, Respond To Emergencies

-- October 17: Penn State Extension Webinar - Adenosine Triphosphate In Algal Bloom Tracking  [PaEN] 

-- October 19-- Swatara Watershed Assn., Master Watershed Stewards Host Waterways On Wheels - Swatara Rail Trail In Schuylkill County  [PaEN]

-- October 28-30: Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training ‘Ag Conservation Keystone Training’ in-person workshop. Penn State Beaver

-- October 29: Penn State Extension Maintenance of On-Lot Septic Systems Webinar. Noon to 1:00 p.m. 

Resource Links:

-- Penn State Extension Watershed Friendly PA Certification

-- Penn State Extension: Why Did My Young Riparian Buffer Tree Die?

-- Penn State Extension: Guide Provides Advice On Managing Spotted Lanternfly

-- Penn State Extension: Shade Tree Commission Spotlight - Lewisburg Borough

-- Penn State Extension: High School Students Learn About Tree Care 

-- Penn State Extension: Arborist Short Course Series Starting Oct. 7

-- Penn State Extension: Is That Vine Damaging My Tree?

Related Articles This Week - Watersheds:

-- October Is Riparian Buffer Month! Celebrate Trees And Streams!  [PaEN] 

-- Stroud Center Honors Bestselling Author Of Four Fish, Paul Greenberg., With Freshwater Excellence Award  [PaEN] 

-- Coalition For The Delaware River Watershed Celebrates $17.3 Million In National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Grants To Improve The Health Of The Delaware River Watershed  [PaEN]

-- Southwestern PA Water Network Hosts Sept. 28 Confluence At Mingo Creek - A Celebration Of Watersheds In PA's Ohio River Watershed  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Invites 2nd Round Of Nutrient Pollution Reduction Proposals As Part Of Conowingo Dam 'Pay-for-Success' Program; Webinar Set For Oct. 9  [PaEN] 

-- Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay Hosts 3-Part Online Faithfull Green Leaders Training Program Starting Oct. 14  [PaEN]

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners Host Oct. 21 MS4 Stormwater Forum In Manheim  [PaEN]

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Special Report: Local Experts All Agree, Hellbenders Need Better Protection - Sign The Petition To Protect The Hellbender  [PaEN]

-- PA Dept. Of Health Seeks Participants In Oct. 16 Online Focus Group Sessions On How Private Water Well Owners Prepare, Respond To Emergencies Impacting Their Wells  [PaEN] 

-- Call For Presentations!  Bucknell University 2024 River Symposium Nov. 8-9  [PaEN] 

-- National Museum Of Industrial History Hosts Immersive VR Experiences On Industrial History For Lehigh Watershed Explorers Starting Sept. 21  [PaEN]

-- Exploding Water Well Shed Triggers DEP Investigation Of 59+ Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Cyclone, McKean County; Highlights Limits On Providing Temporary Water For Well Owners Impacted  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Communications Earth & Environment Journal: Treating Abandoned Mine Drainage Can Protect Streams Cost Effectively And Benefit Vulnerable Communities [Pennsylvania Program] - By University of Pittsburgh, Kenyon College 

-- Kleinfelder: Morris Run Active Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment Facility To Benefit Water Quality In Tioga River 

-- Tribune-Democrat: Shade Creek Watershed Assn. Celebrates 25th Anniversary Sept. 21

-- Still Time To Register! Delaware River Watershed Forum Sept. 26-27 In Bethlehem, PA

-- Save The Date!  Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance, Bucknell University To Host Abandoned Mine Pools As Beneficial Resource Conference June 4 - 5, 2025 

-- Schuylkill Action Network Newsletter Highlights Work Group Updates; Upcoming Events; Partner Resources; Healthy Lands Week; Grant Opportunities

-- DelcoToday.com: Aqua PA Aids Schuylkill River Restoration Fund With Grants To Tackle Pollution, Enhance Water Quality

-- Positive Energy Hub: CNX Resources & EIP Offer Environmental Credits Through Blacksville Stream And Wetland Mitigation Bank

-- WHYY: Schoolyards In Philly Will Get Rain Gardens To Prevent Stormwater Runoff, Provide Relief From Heat Thanks To Federal Grant To The Nature Conservancy

-- EPA’s 12th Annual SepticSmart Week: Do Your Part, Be SepticSmart!

[Posted: September 20, 2024]  PA Environment Digest