Leading a Habitat Restoration Event

After designing a planting-plan for this small parcel of riparian habitat with the Tryon Creek Watershed Council, I have organized and lead various restoration events to assist private landowners with improving this area. Over the course of several years we have removed English ivy (Hedera helix) and Himilayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). We have also planted hundreds of native grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees. Healthy riparian areas are important because they improve water quality and reduce erosion. As you can see in the images below, this particular riparian area has quite steep river banks. Special erosion prevention techniques had to be implemented to prevent further degradation of the soil stability.

It is always a joy to teach the next generation of watershed stewards while giving them the tools they will need to continue protecting and restoring the critical services that the environment provides. These ecosystem services are not just for the benefit of humans, riparian forests provide critical wildlife habitat for migratory songbirds, waterfowl, fish and many of other organisms. The species that utilize a riparian area often have specific adaptations for living in repeatedly flooded environments.

Some key features of healthy riparian areas include the abundance and diversity of native trees with deep, soil-binding roots. Grass and shrubs are also important ground cover and function as bio-filters. Increasing the diversity of vegetation can improve the diversity in wildlife populations by providing more and varied resources.