RestoreCorps

We are well aware that people have the power to manipulate the surrounding world.  Native Americans have historically held to the “seven generations” rule, meaning that all decisions should take into account the impact on seven generations into the future.

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”  – Native American Proverb

Extreme Makeover: Waterway Edition

By: RestoreCorps Habitat Restoration

Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper is looking to mobilize volunteers to help strengthen our new Habitat Restoration program

Do you or a group of people have a desire to get involved in the community? Do you enjoy performing volunteer work with others who share your same love of nature?  There are new opportunities to contribute your time and skills to an organization working towards a more prosperous and sustainable environment.  Through our new habitat restoration program called RestoreCorps, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper leads volunteers to restore Buffalo’s green infrastructure and surrounding Buffalo-Niagara Watershed.  This is a great opportunity to broaden your resume, meet fellow conservationists, and make a lasting contribution to one of our region’s greatest natural resources, our water.  Believe in Buffalo, join RestoreCorps.

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–Recent Events–

Water Chestnut Removal at Ellicott Island Park:

By mid summer of 2010, portions of Tonawanda Creek were completely inundated with invasive water chestnut.  One section in particular was so infested that neither fish nor boaters could navigate through the dense layers of vegetation that had spread from shore to shore.  The water chestnut advancement had gotten so bad that park users could frequently see mammals walking across the waterway as the water chestnut created a “green road” rising above the surface.   The water chestnut had appeared out of no where, and to make matters worse it was threatening to further spread.  The water chestnut’s outbreak epicenter was just upstream from the Niagara River, and the fear was that if the water chestnut was able to continue unchecked this infestation could further spread exponentially into other waterways and tributaries.  Something had to be done to fix this situation.  RestoreCorps volunteers were the only hope of restricting the water chestnut from conquering more of Western New York’s waterways.  In the age of invasive species migration, it takes people to keep ecosystems in check.

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Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper in conjunction with US Fish & Wildlife Service developed a plan to Restore Tonawanda Creek.  The method was to contract with a mechanical harvester to remove tons of water chestnut throughout the creek.  After the harvester had maneuvered throughout the creek, volunteers would come in and remove the remaining water chestnut by hand in the in-accessible places.  Over 50 volunteers came out one Saturday morning motivated to help in any way they could.  By mid Saturday morning, volunteers had collected a staggering amount of Water Chestnut.  This effort would ensure that Water Chestnut, an annual plant, would not have the ability to advance unchecked as it had within the past few years.  This effort will be necessary for a few years to come, but the hope remains that each year we will be able to decrease the Water Chestnut’s population bit by bit.  Water Chestnut seeds may remain dormant in the creek bottom for multiple years, but the fortitude of RestoreCorps volunteers remains stronger than the Water Chestnut’s ability to spread throughout our region.

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RestoreCorps

RestoreCorps is committed to restoring and maintaining Native Ecosystems along riparian forest buffers throughout the Buffalo-Niagara watershed.  The focus is to recreate desirable natural habitat surrounding and within our rivers and streams.  These specific modifications will mirror a forgotten past where nature’s bounty had a firm foothold throughout our region.   Buffalo’s native landscape has nearly disappeared leaving a only fraction of what once existed only a few hundred years ago.  As a result of riparian areas being stripped of its native vegetation, mainly old-growth trees, our community has incurred the onset of many urban complications.  One association derived from these clear cutting practices was a landscape completely barren and open for the emergence of non-native plant species.  Today our riparian waterways are teaming with invasive plant species that make it extremely difficult for native vegetation to return without our help. RestoreCorps will look to correct these short sighted practices by removing invasive vegetation, and by planting vast amounts of native vegetation in specific areas to encourage the re-emergence of a balanced and sustainable waterway ecosystem.

Trees are the major focus of forest buffer development, but RestoreCorps will also be planting an array of native shrubs, sedges, and grasses to complete a successful riparian restoration.  Through great science and smart partnerships Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper will be designing and maintaining sustainable habitat for the benefit of human populations as well as nature’s niche inhabitants.  With the direction of skilled riverkeeper leadership, RestoreCorps continues to lead volunteers on the quest to improve Buffalo’s green infrastructure.

Riparian- pertaining to, or situated on the bank of a river or other body of water.

Watershed- an area of land where all of the water goes into the same place; a drainage basin.

Green infrastructure- is an approach to wet weather management that is cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.

Forests work magic on waterways

For millennia our planet has relied upon towering forests for sustaining bio-diversity and maintaining clean water.  Forests have been a leading force in perpetuating earth’s water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles.  These balanced cycles are crucial for the prosperity of terrestrial organisms and for the survival of fertile waterways.  Without forests, earth’s climatic systems, which rely upon specific amounts of water and carbon dioxide, become unstable.  A result of this unbalance can be climate change that leads to the extinction of vast amounts of plants and wildlife species.  Human activities can cause changes to these natural cycles.  Since the onset of industrialization,  our environment has been slowly degrading from a lush and verdant system of checks and balances, into a polluted, infertile, mismanaged, and unsustainable series of waste dumping channels scattered throughout concrete jungles.  The main reason for this catastrophe is the widespread removal of forests, especially within riparian areas.  Now that populations are realizing the holistic benefits to clean waterways, people are restoring our forests by planting trees in groves and conserving precious timber resources.  Continuous forested areas are required to restore our planet back to its former grandeur, and waterways back to their life creating splendor.  Benefits of forest buffers are numerous.  A waterway without surrounding vegetation never fulfills its productive potential.  The implementation of a smarter green infrastructure gives native wildlife a better chance at survival, and acts to help strengthen humanity’s prosperity through minimizing natural disasters.

Volunteer with Riverkeeper

RestoreCorps works with volunteers throughout Western New York to help actualize Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s mission for a healthy and balanced watershed.  RestoreCorps volunteers come in all ages, sizes, and skill levels.  At the restoration sites our skilled volunteer coordinators will work hand in hand to help find appropriate tasks for each volunteer to be engaged in.  RestorCorps volunteer opportunities are available for nearly anyone who has a desire to create a greener community, and can handle some physical activity.  Our weather can vary based upon the time of year, so please dress accordingly.  Some items you might want to bring:

• Work boots
• Long pants (not shorts)
• Long sleeved shirt
• Jacket
• Hat
• Change of clothes
• Snacks
• Sun Screen
• Camera

Gloves and drinking water will be provided.  Volunteers should not bring any type of power tool.  

Volunteers are required to complete a Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper medical release, photo release, and liability waiver form prior to any restoration work.  Forms will be provided at the evening orientation (at Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s headquarters) and during the morning orientation (at the restoration site).  The information completed on the volunteer forms will be kept confidential.

The following is a list of people perfect for this habitat restoration experience:

• Families (children can participate with adult supervision)
• Corporate Volunteers
• Students (UB CORE members)
• Community Service
• Service Learning
• Scouts
• Fraternities and Sororities
• Retirees
• Anglers
• More!!!!

We can’t wait to see you out with us, working to restore Buffalo’s green infrastructure!!

You can join the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper volunteer team, see what Riverkeeper is up to, and learn more about our various volunteer opportunities by contacting us:

• Website (http://bnriverkeeper.org/)
• Signing up for our E-newsletter
• Calling Riverkeeper directly at 716-852-7483
• E-mail: Bryan LoVullo (blovullo@bnriverkeeper.org)

Restoration Experience

Orientations will be provided at Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s headquarters the night before each restoration day.  Although these orientations are not mandatory for volunteering, volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend as we will be going over a lot of applicable information which will be useful for getting the most out of the habitat restoration experience.  Night orientations will consist of demonstrations, presentations, and education specific to the buffer restoration process.  This will be a great way to be exposed to the current state of the property we will be working on, and to meet the Riverkeeper staff whom you will be working with.  Directions will also be provided to the restoration site for the following day.

The morning of the scheduled volunteer day we will meet at our designated site to begin restoration work.  These sites will vary as they are located throughout the Buffalo Niagara region.  Once volunteers have completed their Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper volunteer forms, volunteer coordinators will begin a brief orientation of the days work.  These presentations will include our objectives and techniques often used in restoration work.  A clear set of goals will be laid out for what RestoreCorps intends to accomplish at the end of the day.  We will then break the group into smaller teams and begin working.  Each team will be a crucial part in the overall success of the habitat restoration experience.

Volunteers will typically be involved in planting, pruning, mulching, tree wrapping, and watering.  Native plants will be installed, managed, and protected for future generations.  Invasive plant species will be removed.  Clearing the land of all noxious and invasive plant species is a crucial step.  The Riverkeeper staff will help volunteers identify specific plant species to be eradicated.  Gloves and safety goggles will be provided by the Riverkeeper.  Our goal is to safely promote the healthy growth of native vegetation along the banks of our waterways.

Eventually these small plant installments will grow into varying layers of vegetation, including a large forest canopy, defined understory, and meadow.  Waterways surrounded by native vegetation are healthy and productive ways to promote diverse animal, plant, and fish species.  Initially, the trees we plant may not appear large, but within a decade they will begin to take hold and provide noticeable benefits to the waterway ecosystem.  Small steps taken today can lead to great success in the future.

Riparian Forest Buffers

Riparian- pertaining to, or situated on the bank of a river or other body of water.

Riparian forest buffers are an interwoven mix of trees, shrubs, and grasses along the banks of waterways.  These balanced habitats provide food, shelter, water, and space to facilitate well developed and diverse species populations.  In addition to being advantageous for wildlife, forest buffers are beneficial to human populations.  Forest buffers can help improve a communities economic situation by lowering the costs of storm water management, and increasing adjacent property values (thus creating greater tax revenue for the region).  In urban areas riparian forest buffers are crucial tools used in managing and reducing the impacts of adjacent land use, such as non point source pollution from entering our waterways.   Riparian forest buffers act to stabilize shorelines by anchoring soil into place.  This ensures that waterways do not quickly erode away during flash flood events.

There are many ways to calculate the value of restoring barren riparian areas back into forested buffers.  These sustainable natural forest systems have an intrinsic value, that is its value for future consumption or use by people (recreational opportunities, usable timber, fisheries, agricultural irrigation, cooling or washing industrial processes, or for drinking water). There is also a value for non-consumptive use (to look at, good stewardship, or peace of mind knowing that it’s there).  Riparian forest buffers, an intelligent green infrastructure, can help reduce the potential for human health degradation through improved air and water quality.  Forest buffers can provide invaluable resources for human populations, especially in the aftermath of natural disasters when resources are at a minimum.

Without Riparian Forest Buffers:

-Excess sediment and toxins entering our waterways.  This can have a profound impairment on local wildlife, and can have lasting effects on municipal drinking water consumption and human health degradation.

-Water temperatures can increase, which decreases the capacity of water to hold oxygen.  Warmer water also increases the solubility of nutrients such as phosphorus which can lead to eutrophication and toxic conditions.  Large established trees cool water temperature through shade.  Trees also intercept nutrients and sediment. All improve water flow and quality.

-Rain water is never able to recharge underground aquifers through slow percolation.  The water remains on the surface and often finds its way into storm water sewer systems.   When combined sewer systems get inundated with excess storm water they are forced to release contaminated water back into local waterways.  This contributes to both greater amounts of pollution in our waterways and increased costs of storm water management.

-The onset of Global Warming is sped up.  Trees and other vegetation can mitigate the urban heat island effect because they intercept solar radiation (provide shade), and cool the air through evapotranspiration.  By cooling, trees reduce evaporative emissions from vehicles and other fuel storage, and by cooling homes and offices trees reduce power generation emissions.  Forests also remove and store vast amounts of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas contributor.

-Specific specie populations can becomes out of control.  Without balanced food webs, which keep many species in check from becoming too abundant, certain organisms can become disastrous for the ecosystem, especially insects.  Forest buffers, when properly installed, lead to varying layers of vegetation.  This results in greater habitat for many forms of wildlife, especially birds.  In an Integrated Pest Management system insectivorous birds are used in an ecologically sustainable way to manage pests.

-Human populations can become disconnected from their natural ancestry.  A picturesque riparian nature scene can help with stress reduction, and can help lead to a well balanced sense of being.  Individuals and community groups who work together to plant trees and restore riparian forest buffers develop important conservation values and foster community spirit.

-Riverbank erosion will be sped up, which leads to further soil erosion and greater in-stream sediment loading into the waterway.  Large trees slow water filtration and provide riverbank stabilization.

-Fish populations dwindle.  This negatively effects the fishery industry and also recreation for anglers.  Forest buffers enhance fish habitat as water quality improves.  Leaf litter positively affects the quality and diversity of macro-invertebrates, which are a crucial link in fish food webs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay? No, this is a free volunteer opportunity for all who wish to learn more about restoring our local watershed!

What should I wear to the planting? Dress for outside conditions.  Our weather can vary based upon the time of year, so dress please accordingly.  Please do not wear any clothing that you do not want to get dirty.  Some clothes items you might want to bring: Boots, pants, jacket, hat.  Remember, in cool wet conditions, always layer clothing  and never allow cotton to be in contact with skin.

Other items you may wish to bring: Snacks, sun screen, and camera. Volunteers should not bring any type of power tools.

What will be provided by Riverkeeper? Drinking water, gloves, a complimentary RestoreCorp t-shirt, and hand tools etc.

What if it rains? We will be restoring habitat RAIN OR SHINE!

What Incentives are there for Volunteering? Networking with fellow conservationists, Broadening your Resume for future work, Peace of mind knowing you assisted in restoring important green infrastructure, Exercise, Education, and prizes for exceptional performance.

Are there incentives for repeat volunteering? The more you volunteer the more you are contributing to a successful community.  In addition, there are leadership opportunities available for those volunteers who exhibit exceptional performance during habitat restoration days.  These natural leaders will be given broadened responsibilities and can be identified by their different colored volunteer t-shirts.

What kind of physical activity should be expected of volunteers? Volunteers should be able to lift and carry small to medium sized branches.  Although heavy lifting will not be required by all participants, those who can lift 40-50 pounds will be useful in lowering larger trees into holes for planting.  Volunteers will not use any power tools.

What will we be working on? RestoreCorps’ main objective is to identify specific plant species on a given site and determine which plants are invasive and which are native.  Invasive species will be eliminated and replaced with eco-friendly natives.  Plant species we install will be part of the greater forest buffer system.  Each plant has a specific role to play in keeping the riparian area sustainable and balanced for years to come.