When the New River’s strength and health is at stake, our hands are here to build it back up.
Through our Riverbuilder program, we’ve planted more than 850,000 trees and shrubs on 100 miles of river, and in the process, worked with 450 different landowners who share our mission to plant buffers that serve as last lines of defense for water quality.
Our Riverbuilder Program offers three main services:
Consultation
New River Conservancy makes site visits to assess the streambank and consult with the landowner about available restoration options. We always follow up to ensure that the landowner has the information necessary to move forward.
Riparian Buffer Restoration
If the site is determined to be a good candidate for the River Builder program, preparations for the next planting season begin; Riverbuilder will supplement the cost to restore the riparian buffer with native plant material while the landowner manages and funds the remaining cost of the project.
Educational Workshops
We offer Riparian Restoration Workshops to educate the public on watershed topics and restoration techniques
Workshops begin with classroom time to discuss hydrology, restoration techniques, and answer questions. Workshop attendees then get to put theory to practice by going outside to learn how to install livestakes on a streambank.
New River Conservancy Riverbuilder Program
Are you interested in River Building?
Contact UsTips and Resources
- Riparian Buffer Modification
- Engineering with Nature
- How To Plant A Livestake
- Native Plants for Landscaping and Conservation
- Small Scale Solutions to Eroding Streambanks
- Financial Benefits of Riparian Areas and Stream Buffers
- Enhancing Water Resources in Tompkins County: Benefits of Riparian Areas and Stream Buffers