In 2016, Bud and Marilyn Miller agreed to plant 11 acres of trees and shrubs to protect and enhance their spring-fed stream that runs through the center of their historic Berks County, Pennsylvania, farm.
“It’s amazing what a little patience can become,” Bud Miller remarked, looking back at a process that started nearly 10 years ago.
Seedlings that started in containers and stood only 2 to 3 feet tall now exceed 10, 20, and even 30 feet. Native species like sycamore and maple stand tallest.
He’s noted an increase in wildlife, from birds to butterflies, as well as shifting activity within the stream itself: “There are noticeably more bugs in the stream, and the areas where we have shade, the stream is becoming wider and clearer.”
Future plans for the Millers’ property are to keep it in the family. Their daughter is planning to purchase the property as they continue to develop what they have already spent so much time and energy on.
Miller is proud to say the buffer creates a spark that draws immediate attention, and visitors can’t help but walk over to see what the planting is developing into. He says that this interest from visitors “shows what Mother Nature can do.”
Grandkids and adult children all have found joy walking the “Miller Meadow Loop” and experiencing what time, patience, and a riparian buffer can bring.
As future generations of Millers become stewards of the property, they can reflect on and appreciate Miller’s work to ensure the long-term success of these woods.
After nearly 10 years, Bud and Marilyn Miller’s 11-acre buffer is firmly established and is finally becoming a forest of its own. Join landowners like the Millers who are creating thriving forests and healthier waterways with the Stroud Center.
Click Here for the full article on the Millers.
Stroud Center Can Help You
The Stroud team is here to help design, plant, and support a riparian buffer that will benefit your land and stream for generations to come.
Contact them today to explore how we can help you create a lasting legacy on your property by sending email to: buffers@stroudcenter.org.
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[Posted: November 6, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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