Buffers are natural or engineered transitions between landscape features managed for different outcomes. 

• shelterbelts associated with annual cropland to reduce wind-based soil erosion
• perennial cover buffers between field edges and riparian areas to provide protection from nutrients, chemicals and mechanical disturbance

Planting shelterbelts in fields, around livestock facilities, and near dugouts offers many benefits, from minimizing the impacts of wind, to creating habitat, and providing shelter to farmyards and livestock. Shelterbelts planted near annually cropped fields also reduce wind erosion, while providing yield benefits to adjacent crops.
Eco-buffers are made up of multiple rows, using a variety of native trees and shrubs in a mixed planting
arrangement. Unlike most traditional single or limited species shelterbelts, there is a much higher variety of woody plants in an eco-buffer. The plants are predominantly native trees and shrubs, chosen from the local ecozone.
Buffers and grassed waterways are areas of permanent vegetation in low or highly sloped areas that have
water flow in spring runoff or during heavy rain events. They are designed to convey concentrated runoff while
preventing soil erosion, flood effects, the formation of gullies, and nutrient and pesticide to waterways and
waterbodies.

The purpose of the Buffer Establishment Activity is to establish, enhance or restore shelterbelts or buffers that
provide:

• reduced soil erosion
• reduced surface runoff and enhanced water quality
• improved water conservation efforts
• improved wildlife and pollinator habitat
• increased crop yields
• increased carbon sequestration
• thermal protection for livestock
• stabilized stream banks

Eligable Activities: 

• Establishment or Creation of new buffers
  (shelterbelts, perennial cover buffers, or grassed waterways) on working lands. 
• Enhancement of existing buffers on working lands that result in measurable incremental benefits. For example, expanding existing buffers by adding new rows or inter-planting to increase species diversity within existing buffers.
• Restoration of degraded buffers. For example, this may include re-establishment of buffer vegetation, pruning and removal of dead or diseased trees.

Funding:

Shelterbelt: Landowner is reponsible for the site preperation, purchasing, planting, watering and additional maintenance. 

NRWD will cover an average of $5 per tree up to a maximum of $3000. 

Perennial Grassed Strips/Waterways: NRWD will fund 100% of seed costs.

Possible incentive conservation agreement at $25-$100 an acre.