Careers in Conservation
Business & Contractor’s Network
Consortium partners are made up of nonprofits, localities, government agencies AND the businesses and contractors who are an integral part of the buffer workforce ecosystem.
We hope this page will be a valuable network for partners — a place were we can help connect businesses to current and future projects and also to help discuss and grow the riparian buffer workforce.
Look for new content and resources here over the next few months!
2026 Business of Buffers Roundtable
Our next Business of Buffers Roundtable is planned for January 2026! Keep an eye on this space for updates on how you can get involved.
Read below about the findings from the 2023 Roundtable.
We need your input!
If you are a buffer conservation business working in the James River watershed, what type of content would you like to see on this page?
Let us know — send us your ideas this summer (2025) and we’ll start working on the page in the fall.
2023 Business of Buffers Roundtable
Within the James River Watershed, existing riparian buffer contractors are seeing an increase in the demand for their services but are struggling to recruit and train the workforce needed to fulfill existing contracts, limiting their capacity to take on more work. In addition, the cost of doing business has risen (materials, fuel, equipment, labor rates), profits have decreased, there aren’t always enough seedlings to meet demand, and there have been disruptions in the supply chain for tree tubes. In 2023, CBLP and JRA organized a Business of Buffers roundtable to inform the following:
- Small Business Engagement with Buffer Projects
- Ongoing Outreach Activities for the Riparian Consortium
- Contractor Capacity Building
- Planning and Delivery of Training and Professional Development Workshops
Business of Buffers webinar