What is the Backyard Buffer Program?

As a stream side property owner, you have a special opportunity to restore the Rocky River and its tributaries. The Rocky River Backyard Buffers Program provides tree and shrub seedlings, and planting guidance free of charge to stream side landowners in the Rocky River Watershed. The only requirements are that participants plant seedlings adjacent to the stream in order to establish a riparian buffer and to watch a short online presentation about plant care.

Fill out the eligibilty questionnaire here - Due March 31st, 2021

Trees are available in several categories based on mature heights, and participants can indicate if they have a preference for larger, smaller, or midstory trees

What is the Rocky River Watershed?

The Rocky River Watershed consists of the entire area that drains to the Rocky River when it rains. This 294 square-mile network of neighborhoods, farms, forests, parks, roads and streams stretches from Medina to Lake Erie, and includes parts of Cuyahoga, Medina, Lorain and Summit Counties, including all or part of 32 municipalities and townships

The Rocky River Backyard Buffers Program is made possible through a grant from the Dominion Energy Watershed Mini Grant program administered by Western Reserve Land Conservancy, and through a Watershed Partner Service Agreement with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

We thank these partners for their ongoing support of Rocky River Watershed Council and our initiatives! The Rocky River Backyard Buffers Program is brought to you through a partnership between:

Rocky River Watershed Council

www.MyRocky River.org

Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District

www.CuyahogaSWCD.org

Cuyahoga SWCD is an equal opportunity employer and provider. There shall be no discrimination exercised against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetic information, political affiliation, or military or veteran status when fulfilling the purpose of this engagement.

No stream is too small! Simply fill out the questionnaire online or if you reveived a brochure by mail, you may complete the questions and return it to the Cuyahoga SWCD by March 31st, 2021.

Seedlings include:

• Swamp White Oak
• Silver Maple, Sycamore
• Paw Paw
• Black Cherry
• Red Dogwood
• Button Bush

These will be available and ready to plant in mid to late April 2021. Details about the distribution of the seedlings will be sent to program participants in late March.

Questions? Please contact Colleen Berg,

Education Program Specialist

Phone: 216-524-6580 x1014

Fax: 216-524-6584

E-mail: cberg@cuyahogaswcd.org