Maryland was the first state to have the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, with augmented payments for establishing tree or grass buffers and wetlands. The program pays rental rates to farm owners for 10 to 15 years to compensate for opportunity cost and through a mixture of fund sources covers most if not all of establishment expenses. Permanent easements can also be purchased, funded by the State and aided by local land trusts. Other incentive programs are also available, such as the State-funded Buffer Incentive Program for any landowner planting an acre or more of buffer. Volunteer plantings by schools or civic groups are often supported by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, supported by our Chesapeake Bay license plate.
People are interested in buffers for a variety of reasons, and popularity seems only to be growing.
A variety of state and federal agencies are actively involved, often motivated by goals for water quality and habitat. Maryland Department of Natural Resources is a leading player, especially for technical assistance in planting, but Stream ReLeaf is a collaborative effort. A number of counties and municipalities have active programs or growing interest in reforestation and stream restoration. Nonprofit organization are important partners. The Stream ReLeaf name is used with permission of American Forests, based on their Global ReLeaf initiative.