NAC | Working Trees for Communities

*Rural/Urban Interface* Trees and shrubs serve as a "living buffer" separating rural, agricultural lands from residential areas. These buffers are the front-line defense against contaminated water and air, dust, noise, wind and blowing snow originating from both rural and urban areas.
*Windbreaks* Rows of trees improve community environments for both work and play. Windspeed can be reduced by more than 50 percent, making being outdoors more comfortable. Windbreaks can buffer both cold winter winds and hot summer winds. They can modify environments around hospitals, schools, homes, recreation areas, parking lots, and industrial parks, creating more pleasant living and working areas.
*Screening, Dust and Noise Control, Wildlife Habitat and Energy Conservation* Rows of trees located between residential areas and unsightly or loud areas can screen and buffer residents from unwelcome sights, sounds, or dust associated with roads, industry, organized sports, businesses, or landfills. Reduction of sound levels in the range of 8-12 decibels (approximately half as loud) are possible for tree, shrub, and solid barrier combinations. These plantings also provide necessary food, shelter, breeding, and nesting sites for wildlife and can be incorporated most anywhere, including backyards and recreation areas. Futhermore, properly placed shade trees and windbreaks can reduce energy consumption by up to 20 percent in the summer and up to 30 percent in the winter.
*Living Snowfences* Rows of trees and/or shrubs near access roads and emergency routes reduce dangerous crosswinds, trap blowing snow, lower snow removal costs, and increase driving safety. Living snowfences can also be designed to enhance recreational activities. For example, hiking and biking trails can be incorporated in between rows of trees, and berry-producing shrubs added to the design will improve songbird and wildlife habitat.
*Riparian Buffer Strips* Natural or re-established streamside forests comprised of trees, shrubs, and grasses filter surface and shallow subsurface water pollutants before they enter streams and rivers. These filter strips also help control bank erosion, protect and enhance aquatic environments, provide wildlife habitat and recreational sites, and increase biodiversity.
*Bioengineering* When a streambank is caving in, soil bioengineering techniques may be used to repair it. Bioengineering creates a stable streambank covered with tree/shrub/grass plantings, and is an effective alternative to structures. It is often used in combination with riparian buffer strips alongside the streambank to provide an effective and attractive streamside buffer zone.

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