King Conservation District (KCD) offers aquatic area enhancement services to help livestock and agricultural landowners protect and improve the health of streams, rivers, wetlands, lakes and ponds. A band of vegetation, called a buffer, planted adjacent to a water body with native trees and shrubs can improve water quality, stabilize shorelines, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat. Many landowners do not have the money or expertise to plant buffers on their own; but KCD is available to make aquatic area enhancement possible by designing and installing buffer enhancement projects. KCD buffer services include free project design, a generous cost share rate to pay for labor and materials associated with removing invasive species (such as blackberry and ivy) and planting native species in their place. KCD will also provide three years of free maintenance and monitoring to ensure a high rate of plant survival.

Applications are accepted year-round on a monthly basis through November. To apply, a cooperator MUST be already working with a KCD Resource Planner/Technical Assistance Provider. To request assistance, please contact Debbie Meisinger.