Buffers

Coastal and Waterway Buffers 

The Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Coastal Bays, and the rivers, creeks, and streams that feed into them are important parts of Maryland’s landscape. These vast and numerous treasured natural resources that seem so vital and full of life are really rather fragile. It is not just the waterways themselves, but the fish, wildlife, and plants that live in and around them that are sensitive and vulnerable to degradation and damage from a variety of sources. This network of living things is greatly affected by not only what happens to the waterways themselves, but all of the activities that take place on the surrounding land.

   The land area that surrounds and drains into a particular waterway is called a “watershed.” As population increases, land uses in the watershed change. Trees and shrubs are cleared. Land is graded. Buildings, roadways, and parking lots are constructed. These changes affect the water that runs off of the land when it rains. This runoff empties into waterways, whether directly or through a series of ditches, pipes, and outfalls, and it carries a variety of pollutants from the land. These include sediment, bacteria, trash, toxic chemicals, and nutrients from farm fields and septic systems. Even air pollution can affect water quality. These pollutants, even in small amounts, can be extremely detrimental to the fragile environment of tidal waterways.

   The landscape changes that affect water quality also affect the type, amount, and location of habitat, particularly waterfront, or riparian habitat, that is essential to the survival of many Maryland species. The permanent loss and fragmentation of forest, particularly when it is located adjacent to tidal waters, wetlands, and tributary streams, can be harmful to a variety of species.

   The value of waterfront property is dependent on clean waterways with healthy and sustainable fish, wildlife, and plant populations. Clean water and vital habitat also promote a healthy economy by providing opportunities for fishing, crabbing, boating, and swimming. One of the best and simplest ways to reduce the effects of polluted runoff and create beneficial habitat is by establishing new vegetated buffers or enhancing existing ones. Vegetated buffers adjacent to waterways and wetlands perform vital habitat and water quality functions.

   Forested buffers, even small ones, help to improve and protect Maryland’s waterways and tidewater ecosystems. Filtering runoff from the land before it reaches a stream, creek, or river can remove pollutants and sediment. The trees and shrubs in the Buffer take up nutrients and use them to grow. If the nutrients end up in the waterways, they can actually be harmful by causing an overgrowth of algae. Algae blooms block sunlight necessary for underwater grasses that provide important habitat for young fish and crabs. When the algae decompose, it removes oxygen from the water creating dead zones for aquatic life.

   The habitat benefits of shoreline, wetland, and stream buffers are also important. Even a narrow buffer is better than no buffer at all. A narrow strip of trees and shrubs at the shoreline can create an important wildlife corridor that can provide food, water, and shelter for a variety of birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. These connecting corridors along waterways help wildlife travel safely to larger forested areas and help to maintain the overall health of species populations.

   Maryland’s Critical Area Program includes specific regulations for the “Critical Area Buffer” that address protection of existing Buffer vegetation, as well as requirements to plant additional Buffer vegetation when development activity takes place on a property that includes shoreline, wetland frontage, or a stream. This book was developed to help landowners gain a better understanding of the Buffer requirements and how to comply with the regulations. It includes some of the science and technical details about the many important functions of vegetated buffers, information about how to measure the Buffer on your property, and a description of the different types of Buffer Management Plans and when they are used. The second part of the book includes Garden Plans that you can use to design and plant in your Buffer. The plans are organized so that if you have a specific planting area requirement, you can easily select a plan that will provide the correct square footage credit. Buffer Management Plan Notes are included in the following chapter to make it easy to submit a complete Buffer Management Plan to the local planning office. There is also information about maintaining and enhancing an existing forested Buffer. Whether you are preparing to plant because you want to add a deck to your house or if you just want to shorten the time you spend mowing the lawn, the goals of this book are to provide you with knowledge, insight, and ideas.

Maryland DNR - The Green Book for the Buffer: An Illustrated Guidebook for Planting at the Shoreline

Buffer Garden Templates

• MD DNR Buffer 1 - 300 SF Fall Glory Cluster Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 2 - 350 SF Spring Beauty Cluster Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 3 - 450 SF Violet Mist Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 4 - 500 SF Golden Sunshine Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 5 - 500 SF Hearts and Flowers Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 6 - 650 SF Turtles Repose Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 7 - 700 SF Sweet Sensations Butterfly Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 8 - 850 SF Rabbits’ Fancy Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 9 - 900 SF Twilight Retreat Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 10 - 1000 SF Burst of Color Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 11 - 1000 SF Riverside Refuge Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 12 - 1000 SF Hummingbirds’ Delight Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 13 - 1150 SF Quail’s Content Hedgerow Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 14 - 1250 SF Frog’s Leap Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 15 - 1400 SF Corner Cottage Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 16 - 1600 SF Bountiful Border Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 17 - 1800 SF Mixed Meadow Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 18 - 2000 SF Four Seasons Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 19 - 2150 SF Songbird Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 20 - 2500 SF Secret Grove Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 21 - 3000 SF Rest and Relaxation Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 22 - 3600 SF Sunset Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 23 - 4200 SF Wild and Wonderful Garden

• MD DNR Buffer 24 - 4800 SF Living Shoreline Garden

Garden Signs with QR Codes

You can print your own Garden Sign for any of the Garden Templates above.  

• Just find the cooresponding file in Garden Signs with QR Codes.

• Print out two (2) slides per page.

• Fold over the printout and laminate.

• Your guests will have an attractive sign to view and the ability to easily learn more online.

Garden Templates Are Offered in These Languages