Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy partnered with Willowsford Conservancy to plant 300 trees and shrubs in a riparian area along the headwaters of Broad Run with the help of 25 volunteers.  The planting expanded the forested riparian buffer by adding an additional 50 feet of native trees and shrubs along Broad Run.

Photo by Kim Strader

Riparian buffers are instrumental in slowing rainwater runoff and filtering pollutants before they enter local streams and waterways.  Pollutants can include things like fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil, eroded soil from construction sites and bacteria from septic tanks and animal waste.  These pollutants cause algae growth, reduce oxygen levels, and block sunlight making it difficult for plants and macro invertebrates to survive putting our drinking water at risk.

We expanded the Broad Run riparian buffer by planting the following native trees and shrubs:  Sycamore, Silky Dogwood, Redbud, Hawthorn, Serviceberry, Red Maple, Pin Oak, Tulip Poplar and Carolina Allspice.

This project was made possible through the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund which supports environmental education and restoration projects for the Bay and its tributaries. Revenues from the sales of the Friend of the Chesapeake license plates, $15 from each plate sold, are awarded via grants from the General Assembly recommended by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee.

This project was also a community event in support of the Plant NOVA Trees campaign, a five-year collaborative effort encourage residents and businesses across Northern Virginia to plant more native trees and to preserve the ones we already have.

Photo by Kim Strader