County to receive over $50,000 to plant trees to create buffer zone
The state is giving Butler County $54,000 to plant trees.
In an effort to keep runoff from entering streams and waterways, the state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Monday that five recipients would receive a portion of a $1 million grant investment. The state is giving part of that grant to Butler-Freeport Community Trail Council to plant trees to serve as a buffer zone along about six acres in the Ohio River watershed.
According to an announcement from the state, the council will work with the Audubon Society of Western PA to install buffers, specifically in parts of the county in the Buffalo Creek watershed, which feeds into the Allegheny River. The initiative will focus on parts known as the Important Bird Area, like the vegetation surrounding Lake Arthur. These areas include migratory staging areas, winter roost sites and prime breeding areas for songbirds, wading birds, and other species, according to the Audobon Society.
Pennsylvania developed the first statewide Important Bird Area program to promote the conservation of bird habitat in the western hemisphere. The trees to be planted will be nut trees, berries and willows, with the intention to also raise the value of the land on which they will be planted.
According to the state's release, the trees will act as a natural filter, keeping nutrients and sediment from entering and fouling water streams.
“These grants are for some really unique projects to explore an added financial benefit to the farmer or landowner by including plant species that can be harvested and sold,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn in a press release. “Essentially, they let landowners take care of the land and water, and still pay attention to their bottom line.”DCNR administers the grants with funding from PENNVEST.
“The PENNVEST Board approved funding for this innovative program, not only to address water quality issues, but also to provide the basis for the development of a long-term sustainable fund to support these sorts of projects into the future,” said PENNVEST Executive Director Brion Johnson. “We look forward to helping these projects get under way.”
According to the release, the state wants to plant trees on 95,000 acres by 2025 to maintain and restore buffers along rivers, creeks and streams.
