Whether its grasses, native wildflowers, or trees, buffer strips will help shield waterbodies from receiving excess nutrients. Buffer strips absorb some surface runoff and act as a natural filter of fertilizers, chemicals, and sediment before they enter into a waterway, stream, creek, or ditch.

Buffer strips planted into native grasses and forbs double as habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects, grassland birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Once established, these buffer strips are low maintenance and look beautiful as well! USDA has cost-share programs available for installing buffer strips on farm and range lands.