Buffers & Greenways

Buffers & Greenways

Solution Pathway

Buffers and greenways are areas of land used to separate cultivated or developed land from protected areas, Indigenous conservation areas, and wildlife habitats. These areas serve as transitional zones that protect sensitive environments and can provide additional ecological benefits, such as supporting agroforestry projects. Buffers and greenways reduce the impact of human activities on protected areas by providing a transitional zone that absorbs runoff, filters pollutants, and reduces habitat fragmentation. They help maintain ecosystem services, such as water purification and soil conservation, while promoting biodiversity and sustainable land use practices. Establishing buffers and greenways requires collaboration with local landowners, governments, and conservation organizations to design and implement effective buffer zones. Incentives for landowners to maintain these areas, such as tax breaks or subsidies for sustainable practices like agroforestry, can encourage widespread adoption.

Riparian buffer on Bear Creek. Image credit: Courtesy of North Dakota Department of Game & Fish

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