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2014 Spring | Agriculture and Food Systems, Natural Science & Restoration

How Much Buffer is Enough

Student(s):

Jacob Schiffler

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Christy Carr

Partner(s):

  • American Farmland Trust

Faculty advisor(s):

Tim Billo, Program on the Environment, University of Washington

During my project I contributed to an extensive research project on riparian buffers that took place at American Farmland Trust. My goal was to understand how riparian buffers of varying widths and designs contributed to the water quality of streams and to make recommendations for buffer widths based on this information. Riparian buffers perform many functions and are a key component of sustainable agriculture, especially in Puget Sound, a region where the water quality must be maintained for salmon survival. The project gave me the thrill and satisfaction of working on a project significant to immediate on-going issues.