Landowner Profile

Share a little about your property and what motivated you to plant a buffer.

Our WPOA owns about 150 acres with about 50 lots. We have about 2 dozen houses and 12 houses with full-time residents. Our stream is actually a cold mountain spring/seep. It rises above the bedrock and flows gently but perennially into an unnamed stream. This stream flows into Reids Creek, the South Fork of the Rockfish River, then the main stem Rockfish, and eventually into the James River at Howardsville. We previously had over an acre of solely turfgrass here, and wanted something better, more natural, effective and with varied species. JRA provided that very well.

What positive changes have you noticed since your buffer was planted?

We’ve had a variety of wetland sedges and other grasses emerge and flower, which is wonderful to see.

What words of advice would you share with others who have a buffer or who are considering planting one?

Do it! It’s wonderful to watch it ‘hatch out’ of the tubes and, like a child, to observe it emerging, growing taller, and feeding all of the fauna, the microbial soil system below ground, and so much more! Do it!!! 😊

What riparian tree or shrub species is your favorite and why?

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) means ‘Flower head of the west’ (of the Old World). The smell, the unique look of the flowers, the pollinating potential, it’s all wonderful!