The National Aquarium, in partnership with the Department of the Navy, Southern Maryland Resource and Conservation and Development Board, and Charles Soil Conservation District, is currently recruiting volunteers to help create a riparian buffer along the Potomac River.
Riparian buffers play a significant role in soil conservation, improved water quality, healthy aquatic ecosystems, and offer diverse wildlife habitat. They act as natural biofilters and protect the waterways from excess surface runoff pollution.
Volunteers are needed to help plant a variety of Chesapeake Bay native wetland grasses, trees, and shrubs along the water’s edge to help stabilize the area, reduce the potential for erosion, and protect existing land while providing habitat for many animal species.
The Aquarium Conservation Team visited NSF Indian Head in October 2010 to plant tree and shrubs along the higher part of the shoreline, the riparian buffer. Now we are returning to plant native marsh grasses along the lower intertidal areas to complete the restoration.
