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Vermont Conservation Groups Gather to Share Riparian Buffer Restoration Successes
- FCNRCD
- Jul 17, 2025
- 4 min read
On Thursday, June 5, 30 members from environmental organizations across Vermont joined the Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, Vermont Agency of Agriculture (CREP program), and others for the first Innovative Riparian Buffer Workshop to learn lessons and discuss riparian buffer success at two different sites in Montgomery and Berkshire, VT.
Riparian buffers refer to a strip of vegetation alongside a stream or other waterway, which provides a host of benefits. They improve water quality by acting as a natural filter, intercepting sediment and pollutants before they reach the water. Buffers additionally protect against floods by slowing down water runoff, absorbing excess water, and stabilizing streambanks. Forested banks also provide many habitat benefits for aquatic species, including food sources and shading, which helps keep the water temperature cooler. A successful buffer is an area of vegetation, ideally made up of native species, at least 35 - 50 feet wide along a waterway.
Across Vermont, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a voluntary program working to plant these vegetated buffers on agricultural land along waterways.
The first site visited was the Salmon CREP Project in Montgomery, VT. Previously, it was used as a corn field before being enrolled in CREP. Due to the heavy presence of knotweed, a highly pervasive invasive species with bamboo-like stems, a 5-year knotweed treatment was developed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, and NRCS staff. This plan was implemented by Redstart from 2017-2021, beginning with a broadcast herbicide treatment in the Fall of 2017, with follow up treatments from 2018 – 2021. The primary herbicide used was Rodeo Glyphosphate, diluted either in a Thinvert carrier or in water, depending on the location (Thinvert is not used directly adjacent to water).
During the first follow–up visit in 2018, Redstart completed spot foliar spraying treatments using 6 gallons of Thinvert RTU containing 61.44 oz of Rodeo Glyphosphate, along with an additional 25 oz of Rodeo Glyphosate diluted with water across the 2.9+ acre area. Follow up visits from 2019 – 2021 consisted of foliar spraying of Thinvert RTU throughout the entire forested area, totaling 81.92 – 161.28 oz of Rodeo Glyphosate per treatment. The site was planted in the spring of 2018, and the Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA) added additional stems to the knotweed treated areas in the following year.
7 years later, the planted buffer zone is now a fully forested thicket dominated by boxelder, with taller silver maples sprinkled throughout. Other areas of this site show different dominant species; however, all the areas visited seem to be developing well into forests. In some sections of this site, knotweed is still present, even as some knotweed management techniques continue. Because the site was in corn prior to reforestation, the regular regime of herbicide application and soil disturbance created ideal conditions not only for planting but for natural regeneration of nearby tree species. Since the site’s management produced bare soil, seeds were able to achieve the crucial soil contact needed to germinate. The natural regeneration of seedlings and the planted stems also benefited from reduced competition during their first growing season. As the forest continues to mature, it is anticipated that later successional species will grow to become more dominant.
For the second site, the group visited a former hayfield at the Doe CREP Project in Berkshire, VT. The population of knotweed was more contained at this site than at the Salmon site, allowing for less herbicide application the fall before planting. In total, 102.4 oz of Glyphosate in a Thinvert carrier was used in a foliar application to combat the knotweed present. Taking inspiration from the Salmon site, a plan was made to remove the grass layer from the site prior to planting to facilitate natural regeneration of nearby species as well as to reduce competition for the planted stems. To prepare the site for planting, a spot treatment of herbicide was applied to the grass cover in the fall prior to spring 2023 planting. A total of 28.8 oz of glyphosate, diluted in water, was used across the 4.4-acre area. While exploring the site, the group saw an abundance of planted trees now above waist height, as well as many younger seedlings and volunteers beginning to grow.
The group learned a lot from this workshop! Some of the main takeaways and discussions at these sites included:
Managing invasive species: Knotweed is one of the more pervasive invasive species that is difficult to manage or get rid of. However, through specific herbicide use, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has had success managing knotweed enough to allow for the establishment of a healthy forested area.
Considering successional species and natural regeneration: A lot of new volunteer trees were beginning to grow at the Doe site - a positive sign for continued forest development.
Preparing a site for planting: These sites highlighted the importance of thoughtful site preparation to ensure long term planting success.
Seeing site differences: Each planting site is unique and presents different challenges and maintenance decisions.
Making management decisions with funding in mind: Effective riparian restoration often depends on available funding, which is an important consideration when developing planting and maintenance plans at a site.
Collaboration: Funding, planning, planting, and maintenance are often a team effort. Building relationships across agencies and organizations is vital for long-term success!
The Franklin County NRCD truly enjoyed connecting with everyone to discuss riparian planting and share successes and setbacks from previous projects. We're excited to continue to protect Vermont’s waterways as a collaborative group of practitioners. From cleaner water to flood resilience, we all benefit from riparian buffers and more protected waterways. Thank you to all who attended this workshop and have expressed interest in riparian buffer projects!
To learn more about the CREP program in VT, explore these sites:
This project has been funded by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation and the Lake Champlain Basin Program.
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