Westchester County hosts both freshwater and saline waterbodies, which includes lakes, ponds, rivers, streams/creeks, intermittent streams, saturated soil, swamps and marshes (freshwater wetlands), the Long Island Sound, estuaries and, tidal wetlands. Tidal wetlands are closely linked to estuaries - where sea water mixes with fresh water to form an environment of varying salinities. Tidal wetlands in Westchester County are not limited to waters connected to the Long Island Sound; tributaries off the Hudson River may also be influenced by tides.
Riparian buffers are the grasses, shrubs, trees, and other vegetation that grow along water and are important to the survival of the creatures and plants living in that habitat who rely on them for shade, food, habitat structure, and soil stabilization. Additionally, the vegetation in a riparian buffer helps to: control erosion by keeping the soil intact; reduce flooding by intercepting runoff and keeping it in in the ground; and improve water quality by filtering out harmful pollutants before they reach the water
General guides to riparian buffers
The resources below are general guides to riparian buffers and offer comprehensive overviews and include information on: buffer types, the importance of buffers, how to plant and maintain successful buffers, and plant lists. Later sections of resources are broken into specific sub-steps or actions to create a riparian buffer.
Title: A Guide to Aquatic Buffers
Sponsoring organization: Westchester County Department of Planning
Description: A comprehensive12-page guide that explains types of aquatic buffers, their benefits, characteristics of good aquatic buffers, buffer management and protection, and guidance on planting buffers. Includes color photos, glossary, references, and resources.
Title: Riverbank Management and Riparian Buffers
Sponsoring organization: Connecticut River Joint Commissions (CRJC)
Description: A series of 11 in-depth short fact sheets for both the homeowner and largescale land manager: Introduction to Riparian Buffers; Backyard Buffers; Forested Buffers; Buffers for Habitat; Buffers for Agricultural Land; Guidance for Communities; Urban Buffers; Field Assessment; Planting Riparian Buffers; Native Trees, Shrubs and Groundcovers; Source of Assistance.
Title: Riparian Buffer Illustration
Sponsoring organization: Putnam County, NY Soil & Water Conservation District
Description: 1-page illustration with simple summary of components and advantages of Riparian Forest Buffers.
Title: Landscaping at the Water's Edge: An Ecological Approach
Sponsoring organization: University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
Description: A thorough, clear and easy-to-follow 93 page manual with diagrams, photographs and many plant suggestions "This book will help you understand the basics of how watersheds and shoreland ecosystems function so you can use the strategies and techniques presented to help prevent soil erosion, nutrient and pesticide runoff, exotic plant invasions, and other detrimental processes associated with developed landscapes. Applying the principles of ecological landscaping will support wildlife and plant diversity and maintain or even improve water quality in our lakes, streams, rivers, bays and estuaries.” Chapters: Landscaping on the Edge, Understanding Water Movement on land, Vegetative Buffers, The Landscape Design Process, Planting and Maintaining the Shoreland Landscape, Environmentally Friendly Lawn Care, and Recommended Plant Lists.
Specific resource guides to riparian buffers
The resources below provide information about both riparian fresh and salt water buffers and why they are critically important
Title: Riparian Forest Buffers
Sponsoring organization: United States Department of Agriculture National Agroforestry Center
Description: .Definition and benefits of Riparian buffers. Also includes additional resources including buffer planning and design.
Title: A Planting Guide for Riparian Sites along the Connecticut Coast
Sponsoring Organization: Connecticut Sea Grant College Program, the NEMO Program, and the University of Connecticut Department of Extension
Description: 12 pages that includes definitions of coastal habitats, importance of Riparian Buffers, and how to construct and manage coastal riparian buffers.
Title: Riparian Buffers for Wildlife
Sponsoring organization: Penn State Extension
Description: Easy to follow 8 page document that includes information on the 3 planting zones in riparian buffers, and what to plant, with a focus on wildlife benefits.
Title: Enhancing Water Resources in Tompkins County: Benefits of Riparian Areas and Stream Buffers
Sponsoring organization: Tompkins County, NY Planning Department
Description: An 11-page document that emphasizes the benefits of forested riparian buffers. It also explains stream dynamics and streambank stability.
Title: Woodland Pool Conservation
Sponsoring organization: NY State Department of Environmental Conservation
Description: A website that explains what Woodland Pools are, their environmental values, and the need for conservation by local municipalities, since most are too small to be regulated by the State of New York.
For many, a clear and clean body of water is an invitation to relax and enjoy its beauty and the aquatic and land wildlife it supports. Pollution is the number one threat to this pleasurable experience. Pollutants like fertilizers and pesticides easily run off lawns and drain into wetlands and other bodies of water, including drinking water reservoirs. These pollutants can create algae blooms which negatively impact water quality for all living things. While it may be tempting to mow up to the water’s edge, this approach precludes the growth of beneficial vegetation which helps filter pollutants, makes for a less visually interesting shoreline, and contributes to the destabilization of the bank of the stream or shoreline. This section provides ideas for aesthetically pleasing practices.
Title: Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation Committee
Sponsoring organization: Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District
Description: The Soil and Water Conservation District works to protect Westchester County’s natural resources. This resource on their website describes completed restoration projects with before and after photos.
Title: Life at the Water’s Edge. Living in Harmony with your Backyard Stream
Sponsoring organization: Lower Hudson Coalition of Conservation Districts
Description: The purpose of this short colorful brochure is to provide the homeowner with inexpensive and simple techniques to become a good steward of the stream on their property and the intrinsic benefits that occur. This resource also includes important information about no mow zones.
Title: Coastal Landscaping in Massachusetts
Sponsoring organization: Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
Description: Website with lots of information on coastal landscaping, natural beauty enhancements, plant material and plant material sources.
Title: A Home-Owner’s Guide to Lake Friendly Living: 15 simple strategies for sustainable lakeshores & landscapes to protect Seneca Lake
Sponsoring organization: Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association
Description: 24 pages with photos. Clear easy-to-follow overview of methods to protect water quality and lakeshore property values. Concepts can also apply to properties abutting any watercourse.
Native buttonbush thrives near water and attracts butterflies.
Several organizations offer financial assistance towards the purchase of your trees. Some of the organizations also offer tree maintenance assistance. Eligibility is usually, but not always, contingent on the location of the tree(s) to be planted.
Title: Buffer in a Bag
Sponsoring organization: NYS DEC Saratoga Tree Nursery
Description: The program provides organizations and private landowners with free tree and shrub seedlings to help establish or improve, a stream buffer on their property. Plantings alongside waterbodies create wildlife habitat and improve water quality. Anyone who owns or manages land in New York State with at least 50 feet along a stream or waterbody is eligible to receive a free bag of seedlings. Organizations or individuals with permission to plant on a given property with stream or waterbody access may also participate. Applicants are limited to one bag per property, but previous participants are encouraged to apply each year to continue to grow their stream buffer.
Title: Trees for Tribs -- NYC Watershed
Sponsoring organization: Watershed Agricultural Council
Description: Croton Trees for Tribs encourages eligible property owners in the Croton watershed to replant stream-side forests by providing free trees and shrubs, technical assistance in planting and siting, and deer protection. This is available to eligible landowners in the Croton Watershed, an application must be submitted.
Title: Tree Planting for Stormwater Treatment
Sponsoring Organization: East of Hudson Watershed Corporation
Description: Organization tasked with removing phosphorus from the NYC watershed will plant trees that meet certain location specifications. Call the Director of Engineering, (845) 319-6349 for more information.
Title: Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs (TFT), Replanting the Streams of the Hudson Valley
Sponsoring organization: NY State Department of Environmental Conservation
Description: Hudson Estuary watershed Trees for Tribs encourages eligible property owners in the Hudson Estuary to replant stream-side forests by providing free trees and shrubs, technical assistance in planting and siting, and deer protection. This is available to eligible landowners in the Hudson Estuary, an application must be submitted. To determine if your property is within the estuary boundary. If you have questions about TFT in the Hudson estuary boundary, send an e-mail to .
Title: Management Assistance Program
Sponsoring organization: Watershed Agricultural Council Program
Description: Funding for homeowners to plant trees along waterways (that are within a certain distance of NY City Drinking Water Reservoir Watershed). The Management Assistance Program (MAP), is an incentive program providing financial assistance and technical support to landowners who wish to conduct certain stewardship activities. Landowners who complete a watershed forest management plan and have identified these practices as desired outcomes in their planning are eligible for MAP.
Title: Spring Seedling Sale
Sponsoring organization: NYS DEC Saratoga Tree Nursery
Description: Affordable seedlings of mostly native trees and shrubs including a Riparian Packet for planting by water are available. Order Jan. 1 through March 31 for delivery to Lasdon Arboretum sometime mid-April through early May. View a thorough description of tress and shrubs available through this sale.
Title: Now is the Time – the Time for Trees
Sponsoring organization: Arbor Day Foundation
Description: A website promoting the planting of trees. Also offers 10 free trees and discounts at Plant Nurseries, upon becoming a member.
To pick the right plant you need to know your site and the factors that will contribute to your plantings’ success. For instance, does the plant thrive in sun or shade, dry soil or moist soil? You may want to consider the wild life value of the plant, the size of the plant, and when it will bloom. Plants along tidal wetlands, estuaries and the LI Sound should be limited to those that are adapted to salt water spray and to growing in soil with salt in it. Some online nurseries allow one to filter for plants adapted to salt spray. Some of the NYS programs listed in Section 3.1 offer trees, seedlings and/or planting assistance for free or at greatly reduced prices. Additionally look for the Sources [LINK] on the Planting Westchester homepage for a list of Nurseries. The plants mentioned in the below resources are native to this region. Go to the Native Plants [LINK] and Trees [LINK] sections of the Planting Westchester website to learn more about the importance of planting native plants and trees.
Title: New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual: Landscaping Guidance/Plant Lists
Sponsoring organization: New York State Department Environmental Conservation
Description: A comprehensive 16 page document includes a lengthy list of plants including hydrologic zone and wildlife benefit as well as describes planting methods by water
Title: Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College
Sponsoring Organization: Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College
Description: Thorough list and description with photos of plants native to the area, includes plants which thrive in wetlands.
Title: A Guide to Preserving Pound Ridge Wetlands
Sponsoring organization: Town of Pound Ridge
Description: A short brochure discussing what wetlands are, why they are important, how to improve them and specific plant recommendations.
Title: Go Native
Sponsoring organization: Westchester County Government
Description: A 2-page colorful brochure with detailed charts of planting recommendations, including plants for wet soil.
Title: Landscaping at the Water's Edge: An Ecological Approach
Sponsoring organization: University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
Description: Appendix C has an extensive plant list which includes in which buffer zone the plant should be planted and under which conditions the plant will thrive.
Title: Stream Buffer Planting Guide (for Tompkins County)
Sponsoring organization: Tompkins County Planning Department
Description: A 23-page brochure with detailed plant descriptions including pictures and growing requirements, spacing guidelines and visual aids for layout planning. "This visually rich planting guide may be used by both landowners and conservation partners to help visualize how and what to plant to establish healthy stream buffer areas."
Title: Guide to Native Wetland Planning
Sponsoring organization: City of Norwalk Conservation Commission
Description: An excellent 32-page guide to native wetland plants, featuring color photographs and descriptions of recommended plant species.
Title: Native Species Planting Guide for New York City 3rd Edition
Sponsoring organization: NY City Parks Department
Description: A thorough 329-page native species planting guide by common plant communities, including tidal and fresh water wetlands. This guide includes detailed species descriptions of native plants and also suggestions how to substitute with native plants after the removal of invasive plant species. to Native Wetland Planning
Title: Connecticut Coastal Planting Guide
Sponsoring organization: Connecticut Sea Grant,
Description: Plants divided into 4 categories: tree, shrub, herbaceous perennial, or vine. For each species information is provided on general plant characteristics such as average height, growth conditions, and salinity tolerance in terms of soil salinity and salt spray tolerance.
Title: Coastal Landscaping Guide for Long Island Sound
Sponsoring organization: Connecticut Sea Grant, CLEAR, and The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources
Description: Fact sheets regarding function of coastal riparian corridors, site preparation for planting, how to plant, and which plants exhibit tolerance to salt. Includes a Coastal Landscaping Tool for LI Sound.
This section features planting methods, and site preparation. It is important to prepare the site (pull invasive plants, etc.) before planting. Resources also include discussion on underground utilities, planting bare root seedlings and potted seedlings, best planting tools, and tree protection methods. Since many waterways are regulated, please review the regulations in section 9 [LINK]. Please see the Trees section [LINK] of Planting Westchester for additional resources depicting best tree planting methods.
Title: Backyard Buffers: A Guide to Planting Your Own Riparian Buffer System
Sponsoring organization: Highstead and the Hudson to Housatonic Initiative (H2H)
Description: 16-page guide to planting a riparian buffer system including illustrations and color photos, recommended plants, buffer template, planting and maintenance instructions, helpful tips, and a list of resources.
Title: Where Land and Water Meet: A Guide for Protection and Restoration of Riparian Areas
Sponsoring organization: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, CT
Description: 118 pages. A comprehensive do- it-yourself and easy to follow handbook on protecting and restoring riparian areas, how to get assistance on riparian areas, how to get soil analyzed, plant lists, planting methods, and more. Chapters 5 and 6 focus on siting and planting techniques.
Title: How to Plant Native Plants
Sponsoring organization: East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
Description: Simple tips and instructions to ensure that your native plants are properly planted and will thrive.
Title: How to Plant and Maintain Native Plants
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Description: Simple tips and instructions regarding site selection, seed and plant selection, planting techniques, and weed control.
Title: Planting guide "Planting and Caring for your Seedlings"
Sponsoring organization: NYS DEC Division of Lands and Forests
Description: A 12-page planting guide for seedling trees with maintenance and predator protection instructions and illustrations.