Huntingdon Inmates Working Towards Riparian Buffer Certificate

Several state agencies, including the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, are partnering in planting riparian buffers to help mitigate water pollution in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. A riparian buffer or stream buffer is a vegetated area near a stream, usually forested, which helps shade and partially protect the stream from the impact of adjacent land uses. It plays a key role in increasing water quality in associated streams, rivers and lakes, thus providing environmental benefits. SCI Huntingdon inmates are participating in a pilot program with these agencies, the Riparian Buffer Vocational Training project, which is another workforce development program. Shown in the pictures are the participants gaining knowledge of which trees and shrubbery are best used and the proper planting techniques. Also, the Community Work Program crews at Huntingdon have visited a working riparian buffer site and helped to clear another overgrown riparian buffer. Upon successful completion of the Riparian Buffer training, participants will receive a certification in the program.