Inside Agroforestry

Conservation Buffers for Communities...page 2

Working Trees Pay Their Own Way...page 3

Buffers at the Interface...page 4

Midwest Agroforestry Workshop...page 6

Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Inside This Issue

Resolving Land-Use Conflicts At The

Agriculture/Community Interface

We’re Finally

On-Line!

Visit the National Agroforestry

Center’s new web site! The address

is: http://www.unl.edu/nac 

The site is still being developed

but is fully functional and currently

contains an overview of agroforestry

and the Center’s programs.

Eventually it will contain a comprehensive collection of agroforestry

information, news, literature, reference material, etc. Bookmark

it...we’ll be adding and updating frequently.

We’re Updating

Our Database

A purge is necessary to keep our

Inside Agroforestry mailing list current and accurate. Soon a postcard

will be sent to every address on our

database. YOU MUST FILL OUT

THE CARD TO REMAIN ON

OUR MAILING LIST FOR

INSIDE AGROFORESTRY AND

AF NOTES. Make any address or

name corrections and mail the card to

the Center or fax both sides to 402-

437-5712. If you are receiving multiple copies, return every postcard,

letting us know which addresses to

delete and which to keep. 

Ultimately, this purge should

ensure that you receive your newsletter in a timely manner. We hope that

you enjoy Inside Agroforestry and

thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping the Center conserve

paper, postage, and time.

Direct any questions concerning

the mailing list or this purge to Clover

Shelton, 402-437-5178, ext. 14.

Harrison, Nebraska residents realized that they had a real problem after the blizzard of

March, 1988. They now have a living snowfence planted around the north and west sides of

town to help control fierce Great Plains snow storms.

(See Solutions on page 2)

Finding solutions to problems at the

agriculture/community interface builds

working relationships among grassroots,

state, and federal representatives.

Every community has problems and

issues to deal with. But, in March of

1988, the town of Harrison, Nebraska

realized it had a problem of disastrous

proportions. 

Nebraska’s northwesternmost community, surrounded by open rangeland,

seemed to be the target of every Great

Plains blizzard, shutting down Harrison’s

primary artery, US-20, and isolating the

291 residents often for days at a time.

This spring snowstorm had finally gotten

the best of the town, blowing the highway

shut for almost a week and covering

homes with 30-foot drifts, making conventional snowblowers worthless.

The community finally decided that a

solution must be found for their recurring

problem. The residents of Harrison spearheaded a project to plant a living

snowfence around the town’s northwest

corner, with cooperation from local agencies, organizations and individuals and
Message From the Manager

2 Inside Agroforestry

The theme of this issue of IA is applications of agroforestry

technologies in the agriculture/community interface -- where

agriculture and urban land uses meet, and often conflict. Over the

past few years, the Center and its partners have provided information and helped to support demonstrations of “Working Trees

for Communities” to show how tree-based buffer practices, like

windbreaks and riparian buffer strips, can be applied in and near

communities.

“Conservation buffers for Communities” is a bit broader, but

the same concept. In the future, the Center will be working with

partners to demonstrate how tree-based buffers can be combined

with other buffer practices (like grass-based buffers, bioengineering practices, and constructed wetlands) to attain landscape-level

buffer systems that provide multiple benefits. The focus will be

on small communities in agriculture-dominated landscapes, and

mitigating the environmental impacts that agriculture can have

on small communities, and vice-versa. However, the concept

applies to communities of all sizes.

Small communities in agriculture-dominated landscapes are

especially vulnerable to the impacts of wind, dust, noise, odors,

snow-drifting, sedimentation, runoff and flooding, and water

contamination from agricultural sources. Conservation buffers is

the strategic placement of permanent vegetation to moderate

those problems, and at the same time enhance landscape diversity and wildlife. Examples in the interface are community windbreaks, riparian buffer strips to intercept sediments and pollutants and retard flooding, and establishment of “cottage industries” that are protected by trees and maintain access to critical

facilities (hospitals, fire stations, schools). Communities are also

part of watersheds, and need to be responsible environmental

stewards within organized watershed-based programs. Examples

are land disposal of municipal sewage sludge and wastewater on

tree plantations, and stabilization of landfills with tree cover.

Tree-based buffers (agroforestry technologies) are some of the

most effective “tools” in the “conservation toolbox” that we have

available to help harmonize land uses.

We feel that a focus on “Conservation Buffers for

Communities” is an excellent opportunity to foster partnerships

and cooperation between rural- and community-based organizations to address shared problems, and at the same time enhance

awareness of the need for sustainable land use. Everyone lives in

a watershed, and should be aware of, and responsive to, the need

for land stewardship. That is what collaborative stewardship is

all about.

A commentary on the status of agroforestry

as reported by Program Manager, Bill Rietveld

Conservation Buffers For Communities

(Solutions from page 1)

(See Solutions on page 6)

assistance from state and federal agencies. Local residents planted 11 rows of

trees in the half mile project. By 1993 the

living snowfence was already beginning

to reduce the impacts of severe weather.

Doak Nickerson, a District and

Extension Forester in Scottsbluff,

Nebraska has been assisting the residents

of Harrison with the living snowfence

project.

“A few people were pioneers, leaders,

and hard-drivers, who got to work finding

the resources,” Nickerson said. “The key

to the success of the Harrison project was

that it was created by the community, not

mandated from above.” 

All over the United States, communities and agricultural land-owners are dealing with other problems at the interface.

As communities get larger, rural landowners find themselves farming land next

to communities, making the town residents and the farmers butt heads on issues

such as aerial-applicated pesticide/herbicide drift, dust storms, soil erosion, water

and air pollution from city industries,

noise, odors, insects, stray pets and livestock, etc. As these issues arise, the rural

landowners advocate zoning and pollution

regulations for the town while the community works to make regulations tougher

on the rural landowner. Neither group of

individuals is wrong to feel so strongly

about these issues. 

Agroforestry could hold an easy, longlasting, environmentally stable answer.

Buffer strips of trees and shrubs can be

strategically planted between one land use

and another. Like Harrison’s living

snowfence, these buffers help control conflicting land-use problems such as airborne pollutants, dust, odor, and noise

while increasing the value of the land and

providing habitat for wildlife and an outdoor classroom for local school children.

Landowners and local officials are not

the only people who get involved with

local problems. Take for example what

the multi-county area of the Prairie

Country Resource Conservation &

Development (RC&D) Council has done.

The Council’s Forestry Committee saw a

need to plant windbreaks around rural

communities, which are mostly surrounded by large expanses of cropland. “We’re

just taking traditional rural applications of

windbreaks and applying them to communities,” says Randy Nelson,

Coordinator for Prairie Country RC&D,

in Willmar, Minnesota. “Picture a small

rural community located in the middle of

corn and soybean country. Adjacent farmers generally farm right up to the edge of

town. Once crops are harvested and the

ground tilled, large expanses of barren

ground remain. Oftentimes the first obstacle encountered by wind and windblown

snow is the unprotected community.”
Inside Agroforestry 3

Working Trees for Communities: They Pay Their Own Way

“The wind blasted though here like it

was straight out of Siberia. With the wind

came snow that piled up completely over

the tops of our cars.”

“The blowing snow was so bad we

couldn’t even get out of our houses. If

we’d had to get to a hospital or needed a

fire truck, there was no way we could get

out, or they could get in.” 

Comments like these were common in

communities in North and South Dakota

and Minnesota last winter. These folks

needed protection from wind and blowing

snow that wasn’t there, but could be!

“We’re tired of dust on our cars and

muddy creeks caused by nearby farming.” 

“Don’t those city folks understand that

we can’t avoid making some dust when

we farm?”

“I hate to think that those chemicals that

farmers use are blowing or washing into

our community.” 

“You know what? The water that comes

out of towns contains more insecticides

and fertilizers than we farmers put in the

water!” 

This is a conversation one might hear

from community dwellers and their farming neighbors. It involves problems that

arise in the agriculture/community interface — where farming “meets” town and

conflicting interests are common.

Actually, there are no rights or wrongs in

this scenario. Both the town and the farms

are essential. Whether the problems are

real or perceived does not matter. The

conflict is real. What is needed is a mutually acceptable solution. One solution

might involve strategically placed agroforestry practices around and near the

communities to buffer the concern.

The National Agroforestry Center has a

project called “Working Trees for

Communities” (WTC) that uses agroforestry practices targeted to benefit rural

communities and farmers in the agriculture/community interface. These practices

can solve local natural resource problems

like those mentioned in the above scenarios. WTC applies rural agroforestry practices near rural communities. The WTC

project is patterned after the successful

Working Trees for Agriculture (WTA)

project that is designed to assist the sustainable agriculture movement. The only

difference between the projects is that

WTC practices are altered to meet the

special needs of rural towns to make the 

practices more “community friendly.” 

Working trees are more than “just

another pretty face.” Although they do

add beauty, working trees have a job to

do. There are many opportunities for

putting trees to work. They have soil to

protect, wildlife to shelter, water and air

“Working trees will work 

for only room and board. 

In fact, most working trees 

pay their own way. They just

require a little space, 

some light maintennance, 

and a little water and nutrients.”

—Jerry Bratton

by Jerry Bratton, National Agroforestry Center, Lincoln, Nebraska

to cool and clean, snow to control, wind

to moderate, and energy to conserve.

Working trees will work for only room

and board. In fact, most working trees

pay their own way. They just require a little space, some light maintenance, and a

little water and nutrients. Properly

designed and located, working tree practices will give many years of faithful service.

Working trees can heal natural resource

disorders associated with community

environments. They can be a front line

defense, cushioning problems between

communities and associated agricultural

enterprises. And, they can be the last 

line of defense, keeping pollutants from

entering streams and rivers. Properly

designed and located, working tree practices can:

Manage blowing snow. Living

snowfences (LSF) can be designed to protect entrances and exits to communities.

They can be located at the fringes of

small towns to protect entire communities. Of major importance, LSF’s can provide protection to roads leading to and

from emergency services such as hospitals, fire houses, and police stations.

Filter water. Riparian buffer strips

should be located along waterways so that

the tree root systems can help filter pollutants from water before they reach the

stream or lake. They can also be placed

near well heads to protect both surface

and ground water.

Moderate both hot summer or cold

winter winds. Community windbreaks can

be designed to protect entire communities

or individual activity areas (ball fields,

golf courses, shopping centers, etc.) from

adverse winds. 

Control dust and noise. Tree buffers

can be used to control dust along roads or

near farm fields. They also provide protection from excess noise. Up to a tendecibel decrease in noise levels can be

realized from properly designed noise

buffers.

Heal eroding streambanks.

Streambank bioengineering practices can

be applied to stabilize eroding streamWorking trees have soil to protect, wildlife

to house, water and air to cool and clean,

snow to control, wind to moderate, and

energy to conserve.

(See Communities on page 6)
Spotlight On Success

4 Inside Agroforestry

Applying Buffers at the Agriculture/Community Interface

Trees located in between a community and adjacent agricultural lands, the agriculture/community interface, play an increasingly important role as rural farmlands and ranches are

encroached upon by expanding urban populations for housing,

business, and industrial construction. These strategically located

“working trees” serve as a “living buffer,” the front-line defense

for both rural and urban residents against contaminated water and

air, blowing snow and dust, noise, and wind. They also help to

reduce flood damage, decrease nonpoint source pollution, and

reduce problems associated with municipal landfills.

The goal is to protect natural resources and at the same time

make communities productive, profitable, stable, and sustainable

for future generations. Working tree technologies appropriate for

the agricultural/community interface include windbreaks, plantations for municipal wastewater disposal, living snowfences for

snow management, windbreaks for schools and recreational

areas, and riparian buffers/soil bioengineering to stabilize streambanks and reduce flood damage. Other practices include sound

barriers, landfill cover, visual screening, and wildlife habitat.

As funding grows ever more competitive, shade and beauty

alone are not enough to justify the planting and care of community trees. Trees and shrubs must be put to work and pay their

way -- by providing economic, conservation, environmental, and

social services to create more sustainable communities. As we

do this, it could mean a whole new cadre of support for community forestry. Each of the technologies previously mentioned is

discussed more thoroughly in the following examples. 

Community Windbreaks

Rows of trees improve community environments for both

work and play. Windspeed can be reduced by more than 50 percent, making being outdoors more comfortable. Windbreaks can

buffer both cold winter winds and hot summer winds. They can

modify environments around hospitals, schools, homes, recreation areas, parking lots, and industrial parks, creating more

pleasant living and working areas.

Take for example, Woodward State Hospital and School in

Woodward, Iowa. Over 362 full-time mentally and physically

handicapped residents and about 800 full-time local employees

have benefitted from the renovation and expansion of a declining

two-row windbreak around their facility.

The hospital is located on 80+ acres of ground and is the

largest employer in the area. It contains local industry, classrooms, and living quarters for employees and patients. In 1993, a

struggling two-row honeysuckle windbreak was expanded. Two

rows of eastern red cedar and one row of a norway spruce/white

pine combination were added. 

One of the things that John Walkowiak, Urban Forester with

the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, really likes about the

project is its large size. He says that the grounds are like a community within a community and in order to expand the windbreak, the facility gave up approximately 11 acres of high-quality farmground. The break now stretches 2 1/2 miles around the

entire facility and added much needed density and height to the

existing windbreak.

The windbreak provides wind and snow protection, beautifies

the landscape, and increases wildlife habitat for the hospital. It

aids in reducing utility bills, conserving energy, and lowering

snow removal costs. The maintenance is primarily supplied by

the normal grounds crew but involves some of the residents that

are physically capable of volunteering.

Municipal Wastewater Disposal

Strategically located blocks of trees near wastewater treatment facilities can replace traditional, costly treatment plants.

The trees, usually hybrid poplar, are treated with sprinkler-irrigated wastewater. Poplars are used because of their fast uptake

ability. The soil is monitored for moisture level to make sure that

the trees take up all of the moisture and that no leaching into

ground water occurs. The cost of establishing the tree system

In 1993, a struggling two-row windbreak around Woodward State

Hospital and School in Woodward, Iowa was expanded into five

rows. The windbreak stretches for 2 1/2 miles, protecting the entire

facility, which is like a community within a community.

Hybrid poplars are used to treat wastewater at the Woodburn,

Oregon sewage treatment plant. The purpose is to apply an economical alternative to prevent summer discharge into the nearby

Pudding River.
Inside Agroforestry 5

Windbreaks around schools and recreational areas like this high

school in Merna, Nebraska block cold wind in the winter and provide

shade in the summer. They naturally provide wildlife habitat and add

recreational and educational opportunities.

Field windbreaks on the windward side of roads, like this example,

help keep roadways clear from drifting snow.

will be offset by harvesting wood products on a six- to ten-year

rotation.

At the Woodburn, Oregon sewage treatment plant, hybrid

poplars will be used to treat wastewater. Jeff Nuss, CH2M Hill

engineer assisting with the project, said “The initial phase will

involve planting 70 acres of poplar in 1998 with a projected 300-

400 acres of poplar to handle full-scale wastewater flows by

2020.” He said the purpose was to apply an economical alternative to prevent summer discharge into the nearby Pudding River.

Complying with regulatory discharge restrictions was the first

priority. “Using hybrid poplar gives added benefits of producing

revenue to offset costs and an aesthetic setting of trees around

the treatment plant” Nuss added. The trees will be harvested on

a 10-year rotation for both chips and solid wood products.

In Montesano, Washington, 25 acres of hybrid poplar were

recently planted adjacent to the city’s sewage treatment plant.

Although not currently planned for applying wastewater, this

planting will serve as a backup if summer wastewater flows

become excessive. The treatment plant is adjacent to a tributary

stream of the Chehalis River. Dick Molton, agriculture consultant and member of the Columbia-Pacific RC&D says “This

hybrid poplar planting and surrounding private poplar acreage could

provide excellent research opportunities on wastewater treatment.”

Snow Management

Rows of trees and/or shrubs near access roads and emergency

routes reduce dangerous crosswinds, trap blowing snow, lower

snow removal costs, and increase driving safety. Living

snowfences can also be designed to provide and enhance recreational opportunities. For example, hiking and biking trails can

be incorporated in between rows of trees, and berry-producing

shrubs added to the design will improve songbird and wildlife

habitat. 

The winter of 1996-97 will be remembered for a long time in

North Dakota. Some of the statistics include: seven deaths attributed to winter conditions; $4.7 million federal dollars were spent

on snow removal on state roads; $1.2 million was spent by the

National Guard opening county roads; parts of the interstate system was blocked on seven occasions for a total of 2-3 weeks.

According to Ed Ryen, Assistant Maintenance Engineer for the

North Dakota department of Transportation, just east of

Bismarck are two interchanges that remained open all winter

“only normal snow plowing was needed to get a clear road surface.” In each of these instances, just northwest of the interchange was a quarter section of cropland that was protected with

a series of single-row field windbreaks oriented in a north-south

direction. Any drifts created by the trees were held in the fields

where they caused no problems for the roads. In the eastern part

of the state there are many miles of mature multiple row windbreaks. According to Ryen, these windbreaks provided “an oasis

of clear road in the midst of blinding ground blizzards. It was

obvious when one drove out from behind the windbreak; it was

impossible to see the road.”

Schools and Recreational Areas

Working trees planted around recreation areas like parks, picnic areas, ball fields, and golf courses, block the wind and provide shade, helping to create a more pleasant atmosphere. This

naturally improves wildlife habitat and adds recreational opportunities such as birdwatching, hiking, biking, and nature walks.

Working trees in this setting also provide perfect environmental

education sites! 

Conrad, Montana grade school students have a windbreak

planted around their school that doubles as an outdoor laboratory. In the spring of 1993 students were involved with the development, budget, choosing tree species, landscape design, and

planting. They continue to maintain the windbreak. When

mature, the windbreak will not only protect the schoolgrounds

and foster environmental education but will lower fuel costs and

serve as a home for wildlife. 

Ruth Carlstrom, Coordinator of Programs for the Gifted and

Talented at the Conrad School District said that “the kids contin-

(See Benefits on page 7)
(Solutions from page 2) (Communities from page 3)

banks. The erosion from communities is

often intensified by excessive runoff from

acres of paved roads, parking lots, and

roof tops. Bioengineering works well in

combination with riparian buffer strips. 

Buffer agriculture/community interface. All of the buffers listed above can

be located between communities and

nearby agricultural activities to cushion

noise, dust, chemical use, etc. problems

between conflicting land uses. They can

be designed to protect both the community and/or agricultural land use.

By the year 2,000, it’s projected that

more than 80 percent of Americans will

live in urban environments. Because land

in these communities will be in great

demand, these environments will probably place a higher value on land economics than on natural resource management.

The result in these urbanized areas is that:

1) natural systems will have difficulty

maintaining ecological functions that are

essential to society; 2) there will be a

greater need to carefully plan natural

resource management activities than ever

before; 3) it will be important to consider

the impact of adjacent land use on communities and conversely, community land

uses on adjacent lands; and 4) communities will need to look beyond their immediate borders and consider watershed or

landscape-level management opportunities, thereby becoming involved with

rural land management counterparts.

The main idea behind WTC is to provide cost-effective, environmentallyfriendly, aesthetically-pleasing, working

tree practices that promote natural

resource conservation, encourage sustainable communities, enhance natural and

human environments, and catalyze cooperation. The WTC concept is even more

applicable when one looks at opportunities from the watershed or landscape

level. WTC practices fit well into watershed-level land management systems 

that promote natural resource conservation. 

For agencies, groups, or individuals

looking for an answer to healing natural

resource wounds, preventing future problems, and creating goodwill between

community and rural land managers,

developing a WTC project may just be

the answer.

Midwest

Agroforestry

Workshop

Visioning, information, sharing,

communication, understanding, challenging, dreaming are all terms that

describe the Midwest Agroforestry

Workshop. Nearly 80 people from

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan,

Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and

Wisconsin gathered June 11-13 at

Purdue University in West Lafayette,

Indiana. The participant’s goals were

to increase their level of understanding of the economic and environmental benefits of agroforestry, and to

begin networking to facilitate agroforestry technology development and

transfer in the Midwest. 

The workshop presentations

focused on five areas: definition, why

we are interested, history, current

examples, and future directions.

Dr. Gene Garrett, University of

Missouri, covered the principles of

agroforestry: that it is intentional,

intensive, integrated, and interactive.

As practiced in the US today, agroforestry can be categorized into five

types of practices: windbreaks, alley

cropping, silvopasture, riparian buffer

strips, and forest farming.

Garrett also said that in 1975 no

one listened to agroforestry concepts.

It was like playing the “stupid song”

trying to sell agroforestry to farmers.

By 1997 we’ve progressed light years.

As we produce more research, we

need to engage in technology transfer.

Sandra Hodge, University of

Missouri, encouraged participants to

form partnerships. Agroforestry

development doesn’t stop with knowing the practices, she said. We need

technology transfer to get people to

use them.

Agroforestry has the potential to

revolutionize American agriculture.

The Midwest Agroforestry Workshop

was a step forward into a future that

will change agriculture economically,

Nelson says that basically these windbreaks, usually on the north and west

sides of town, protect the community in

much the same way a field windbreak

protects a crop or pasture or a farmstead

windbreak protects a homestead.” This

example illustrates a real need for buffers

in the agriculture/community interface.

Natural resources professionals from

state and national levels are working just

as hard to deal with the interface problems too.

Greg Sundstrom, a state staff forester

in Colorado agrees that issues of the interface are best addressed locally, but that

assistance and cooperation through all

levels is necessary to support grassroots

efforts. 

“There are instances where public

health and safety or other impacts are

huge enough that those directly involved

do not have the resources to deal with the

need, issue, or problem,” Sundstrom said,

noting that convincing landowners that

there is a solution is often times difficult

to do.

“Regulations involving pesticides and

trash dumping are examples of outside

involvement. Cost-share programs are

often necessary to implement practices

which are for the common good.

“There are also some communities so

large that the agricultural sector has a

very small voice within them,” Sundstrom

said. “Higher level groups representing

agricultural interests are often needed to

speak for agriculture in more urban settings.”

Debra Bogar, the northeastern representative of the National Association of

Conservation Districts (NACD) agrees

that her work is most effective when the

landowners and communities get

involved. 

“There are all types of issues in the

urban-agricultural interface and just as

many ways to address them,” Bogar said.

“That’s why we believe they are best

addressed locally with public and private

assistance.”

It is apparent that realizing problems at

the agriculture/community interface is

mostly in the hands of local residents.

Ultimately, cooperation between these

local residents and agencies at all levels is

the key to finding solutions. 
Inside Agroforestry 7

(Benefits from page 5)

ue to be proud to be a part of improving their school grounds and

the environment as a whole.” Besides the fact that the school is

located near a farming community and the windbreak is almost a

necessity because of fierce Montana winds, she is excited about

the hands-on experience that the outdoor lab gives the children.

Landfill Stabilization

The goal of landfill stabilization practices is to grow a renewable crop, such as poplar fiber for paper production or fuel, while

at the same time sustain an ecosystem that stabilizes soil, provides wildlife habitat, uptakes nitrates and phosphorus, reduces

wind velocities, and contributes to local aesthetics.

The Lakeside Reclamation Landfill, near Beaverton, Oregon,

borders the Tualatin River. The landfill has been receiving attention lately due to conflicting requirements among agriculture,

industry, potable water, and wildlife interests. The landfill occupies approximately 60 acres and is designated as a limited use

landfill. Wastes buried at this site are not putrescible nor are they

listed on the EPA hazardous substances list.

A concept called the Ecolotree Buffer Strip was selected as a

management technique for the landfill. Approximately 7,000

five-foot cuttings from selected poplar hybrids were planted in

three-foot deep trenches. The tree planting area is covered with a

thick mulch of recycled shredded yard debris. Moisture percolating through the landfill will be minimized by the high water

uptake rate of the deep-rooted trees. Soil moisture that might

leave the site will have to pass through the high-density root

mass and receive biofiltration of nutrients and organic compounds. Meters were installed to collect water samples and measure water content in the soils.

The Ecolotree buffer strip has elicited many favorable reactions from the owner, regulators, and the consultant. The Oregon

Department of Environmental Quality will be monitoring data

collected from the cover cap prototype area to determine whether

it is environmentally sound to have a living treatment system on

a closed landfill. Howard Grabhorn, Lakeside’s owner says

“growing renewable resources with agriculture on a landfill cap

is better for the environment than permanently removing this 60

acres from production by covering it with a synthetic membrane.

The membrane leaches but requires considerable nonrenewable

resources to manufacture and is nonbiodegradable. A tree farm

of high-density, deep-rooted, fast-growing poplars also minimizes keachate but produces fuel, fiber, and oxygen on a sustainable basis.”

Riparian Zone Management 

and Soil Bioengineering

Natural or re-established streamside forests comprised of

trees, shrubs, and grasses filter surface and shallow subsurface

water pollutants before they enter streams and rivers. Riparian

zones also help control bank erosion, protect and enhance aquatic enviroments, provide wildlife habitat and recreational sites,

and increase biodiversity.

When a streambank is caving in, soil bioengineering techniques may be used to repair it. Bioengineering creates a stable

streambank covered with tree/shrub/grass plantings, and is an

effective alternative to structures. It is often used in combination

with riparian buffer strips alongside the streambank to provide an

effective and attractive streamside buffer zone. 

A streambank stabilization demonstration project was

installed along Sny Magill Creek in Northeast Iowa in the spring

of 1995. Sny Magill is managed as a trout stream by the Iowa

Department of Natural Resources and soil bioengineering was an

appropriate alternative to stabilize the banks, reducing the sediment load in the stream, and provide shade and wildlife habitat.

Even though the site was hit by a grasshopper infestation and

some beaver activity, it is still functioning as designed. 

After installing a soil bioengineering streambank protection

demonstration project on Sny Magill Creek, many landowners

and agency personnel have become aware and interested in

implementing this environmentally sensitive alternative.

Jeff Tisl, Sny Magill HUA Project Coordinator in Elkader,

Iowa, says “there is a lot of excitement from landowners about

soil bioengineering stabilization. They look at it as something

they can do themselves to help solve problems. They don’t need

big budgets or help from the government.” However, Jeff cautions that maintenance is the key. If the landowner isn’t willing

to maintain the plantings after establishment they shouldn’t

When a streambank is severly eroded, soil bioengineering techniques can be used to repair it. Here a six-month old

bruslayer/geogrid planting is established. Bioengineering is often

used in combination with riparian buffer strips which provides an

effective and attractive streamside buffer zone.
Upcoming Events We Need Your Help...

September 13-14, 1997

Ginseng Growing Workshop, Ithaca, 

NY. Contact, Steve Roth, 607-326-

3234.

September 17-20

Working Trees for Communities 

Workshop, National Urban Forestry 

Conference, Atlanta, Ga., contact 

Kim Isaacson, 402-437-5178 ext. 13.

Inside Agroforestry is published quarterly by the

National Agroforestry Center. Phone: 402-437-

5178; Fax: 402-437-5712.

Bill Rietveld, Program Manager, ext. 27

Michele Schoeneberger, Research Program 

Leader and Soil Scientist, ext. 21

Jerry Bratton, FS Lead Agroforester, ext. 24

Bruce Wight, NRCS Lead Agroforester, ext. 36

Kim Isaacson, IA Editor, Technology Transfer 

Specialist, ext. 13

Clover Shelton, Technology Transfer Assistant, 

ext. 14

Jim Robinson, NRCS Agroforester located at Fort 

Worth, TX; phone: 817-334-5232, ext. 3624

Gary Kuhn, NRCS Agroforester located at Seattle,

WA; phone: 206-616-7166

Mission

The National Agroforestry Center (NAC) is a partnership of the USDA Forest Service and

the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.The Center’s purpose is to accelerate the

development and application of agroforestry technologies to attain more economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable land-use systems. To accomplish its mission, the Center interacts with a national network of partners and cooperators to conduct research, develop technologies and tools, establish demonstrations, and provide useful information to natural resource professionals.

USDA policy prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or handicapping condition.

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should immediately contact the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.

November 2-5, 1997

National Urban Conservation 

Conference, Columbus, Ohio, 

contact:Karl Otte, 703-440-8611.

January 26-28, 1998

Conservation Buffers Technology 

Conference, San Antonio, TX. 

Contact Lyn Kirschner, 765-494-

1827.

The National Arbor Day Foundation

has asked for our help in nominating outstanding landowners who do an exceptional job of carrying out the practices we

recommend, from windbreaks to forest

farming. These folks will be considered

for NADF’s Stewardship Award, to be

presented next April. Please contact us

for a copy of the NADF Awards brochure

containing information for the submission

of nominations. Thanks!

Opinions expressed in Inside Agroforestry are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the policy of the USDA Forest Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.