JRA and Consortium partners held a Backyard Buffer Design Workshop in Lexington in February 2024, where we explored a private residential property nearby, then headed back to the classroom to learn about design considerations and resources for restoring vegetation along streams.

Our thanks to partners Hirschman Water & Environment, Rockbridge Area Conservation Council, Wild Ginger Field Services, and Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District.

Date of Workshop: February 22, 2024 from 2:00-5:00 pm
We think a lot about riparian buffers out on farms or on large, rural properties.  But what about peoples’ backyards in cities and towns?  Certainly, a small backyard buffer has different design considerations compared to its country cousins.  An upcoming workshop will provide hands-on experience with conducting a site assessment and designing a backyard buffer in Lexington, VA. The workshop will be facilitated by Consortium partners along with Nicola McGoff from Wild Ginger Field Services and David Hirschman with Hirschman Water & Environment. The buffer design will complement a streambank restoration on the property designed by Louise Finger from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Location: Meet at the Old Courthouse at 2 S Main Street, Lexington, VA. Public parking is available on city streets and at the Rockbridge County Courthouse parking garage accessed off of Washington Street. City parking regulations apply.

Itinerary: 

This project is part of the Upper & Middle James Riparian Consortium’s Streambank Stabilization Learning Journey.  Partners involved: Hirschman Water & Environment, James River Association, Natural Bridge Soil and Water Conservation District, Rockbridge Area Conservation Council, Trout Unlimited, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, and Wild Ginger Field Services.  For questions, please email Amber Ellis at aellis@thejamesriver.org

This material is based on work supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Assistance Agreement No. CB96358201) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, which promotes community-based efforts to develop conservation strategies to protect and restore the diverse natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay.  The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government, or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or its funding sources.