Watershed Forestry Resource Library

Welcome to the searchable resource library for the Watershed Forestry Partnership! Here you can find outreach materials that have been created by other organizations working on riparian forest restoration, academic papers, and other resources. If you have something to add to the library, or have a request for what you would like to see here, please contact Shawn White at shawn.white [at] uvm.edu.

Key Resources:

  • Restoration Roundup Podcast Series - Through these 19 episodes, Restoration Roundup invites guests from local government and nonprofit organizations to discuss the work they are doing in riparian forest restoration around the Lake Champlain basin. Guests on the podcast have discussed many topics including invasive species, how riparian buffers support pollinators, the shortage of native trees and shrubs for restoration, and much more. 
  • Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Riparian Forest Buffer Specification Guide Sheet - Technical but brief guide from NRCS describing the agency's specifications for riparian forest buffers, including zones, widths, vegetation, fish and wildlife habitat specifications, planting plan specs, and both natural regeneration and direct seeding guidelines.
  • Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Tree and Shrub Establishment Guide - NRCS technical guide to tree and shrub establishment, including information about site prep and weed control; planting timing; storage and handling of plant material; planting techniques; protection from browse; natural regeneration; and direct seeding.
  • Vermont Trees for Streams Resource Guide - This guide includes information about types of buffers; considering pollution source, land use history, and goals of the restoration project; site selection; planting plans; vegetation types; planting procedures; and sources of support and assistance.
  • Northwestern Vermont Riparian Planting Guide - This relatively brief guide outlines information on partner organizations in NW Vermont; funding opportunities; outreach to landowners; project design and implementation; and maintenance and monitoring. Although the guide is designed to be locally-specific to Northwestern Vermont, much of the information is applicable in the broader New England region.

Native Tree Stem Site Preparation Techniques Report for Landowners

Published 2023
Author(s): Stever Bartlett
Riparian forests play a crucial role in filtering nutrients, pesticides, and animal waste from runoff before they enter water bodies. Many groups are re-establishing riparian forests across the Lake Champlain basin. However, reed canary grass (RCG) has often hindered the survival success of these restoration efforts. This report shares results and recommendations of a 2-year student in the Champlain Valley of Vermont that assessed two techniques for site preparation and management where native tree stems were planted in RCG dominated areas.

Northwestern Vermont Riparian Planting Guide

Published 2022
Author(s): Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District
This is a document that describes riparian planting programs and funding sources available in northwestern Vermont, guidance for designing and implementing planting projects, and opportunities for future collaborative efforts across the region. Note that this is a living document. The version uploaded here was published March 2022; if it is long past that date, you may want to check whether there is an updated version by email Franklin County NRCD staff.

Notes from the Field (Watershed Forestry Partnership Newsletter): Fall 2022

Published 2022
Author(s): Watershed Forestry Partnership
Fall 2022 newsletter for the Watershed Forestry Partnership. Stories include collecting seed in the Northeast Kingdom; building beaver dam analogues on the Barton River; exploring the importance of wood additions with the Society of American Foresters; brief updates from the WFP and partners on staffing, recent projects, and funding; new initiatives to restore riparian areas on private residential land; and more.

Riparian Buffer Funding Sources Spreadsheet

Published 2022
Author(s): Watershed Forestry Partnership
This regularly-updated spreadsheet contains a list of funding sources that may be appropriate for a buffer project or set of projects, including the types of things they fund, RFP dates (if known), and more. Anyone with the link can comment to suggest additions, removals, or changes to the information in the spreadsheet.

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