A strip of bushes and trees, know as a buffer, can act as a sponge and filter out contaminants that wash from your driveway, roof and yard. It can also prevent soil erosion. Since water flows downhill, it is important for the buffer to be planted down slope of your home in order to filter the runoff from your yard. Native shrubs and vegetation will tend to be more hardy and last longer as a measure against erosion. Prevent soil erosion.
Soil erosion is the single greatest threat to water quality.
It carries nutrients, fills in out streams and ponds and damages fish habitat. To prevent soil erosion, minimize disturbed areas during construction projects and seed and mulch areas as soon as possible. Keep your lawn small. Large lawns might look nice to you and me, but Mother Nature sees them differently. Lawns shed more water than forested areas thus increasing the amount of water leaving your yard and carrying contaminants to nearby streams, lakes or ocean.