The Rockbridge Area Conservation Council last Sunday presented the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) with a Conservation Impact Award for its work with landowners to plant and maintain streamside buffers of trees in Rockbridge County. CBF Virginia Agricultural Field Technician Sarah Coffey accepted the award at Rockbridge Conservation’s annual meeting.
“We’re honored to be recognized for our efforts to support landowners in planting thousands of streamside trees across the region,” said Coffey. “Forested buffers along waterways absorb and filter pollution, stabilize eroding stream banks, reduce the threat of flooding, shade and cool streams so native fish like brook trout can thrive, and create habitat and food for wildlife.”
As part of the James River Buffer Program, landowners in Rockbridge and nearby counties receive support and full funding to plant and maintain trees along streams and waterways that flow into the James River. Landowners interested in installing forested buffers, or volunteers interested in helping to plant or maintain trees as part of the effort, can contact Coffey at [email protected].
The program, which is restoring 200 acres of streamside forests in the Upper James River watershed, is possible due to grant funding from the Virginia Environmental Endowment’s James River Water Quality Improvement Program. Partners include CBF, James River Association, and the Virginia Department of Forestry.
