RIPARIAN AREA

What is a Riparian Area?

Right where you are standing, and the area alongside the creek is the riparian area of this section of Ash Creek.

A special habitat created where moisture interacts with the surrounding soils and geology. 

Riparian areas are easy for us to identify, since the plants and trees are often different from those in the upland areas away from the stream.

We are working to eliminate invasive species and to replant with only native plants.

Why create Riparian Areas?

Riparian areas are vital for supporting water quality and wildlife habitat in a multitude of ways:

Reducing erosion and slowing floodwaters

Filtering pollutants and increasing groundwater recharge 

Providing cooling shade and wildlife habitat

What can I do?

If you live along water, it’s important to maintain a strip of vegetation along the bank.  

Plant deep-rooted trees and shrubs to prevent erosion to your property. Choose from many of our native, flowering species.

Don’t extend your lawn all the way to the water edge. Lawns do not have a strong enough root system to prevent erosion or degradation of your land during high water events or spring floods.