Berkshire’s What is a vegetative buffer? Those pesky geese... Vegetative buffers are constructed living One common problem among lake shore

PAID PAID Farmington filters that act as a protective barrier landowners is an uninvited guest—the U.S. Postage U.S. Postage

Simsbury, CT CT Simsbury, between a water body and human Canada goose. Vegetative buffers can be Permit No. 26 26 No. Permit Non-profit Org. Org. Non-profit Watershed development. used to make your property appear less hospitable to the goose and its family. In developed areas with a high percentage of impervious surfaces less water from rain Canada geese love to eat grass, have a view penetrates into the ground and more runs of the water and be safe from predators. Benefits of off directly into surface water bodies. This Young goslings can’t fly during the ‘runoff’ does not get filtered like the water majority of their time in Berkshire County, Shore Buffers that penetrates into the ground. Vegetative therefore they will look for areas of low, buffers serve to filter runoff before it predator free grass that are right next to the for enters a water body, like Otis Reservoir. water that they can access without flying.

Otis Reservoir Why use vegetative buffers? In order to make your property un- hospitable you simply need to create a Storm water runoff is the single largest visual barrier—if the geese can not see your contributor to water quality degradation in lawn from the water they will avoid it. A 2 1 the Commonwealth of . The /2 to 3 ft tall vegetative barrier will suffice. pollutants carried by runoff that cause the This can be accomplished with native, non- most concern in lakes and streams are invasive tall grasses or shrubs. It also helps sediment, nutrients, and pathogens, all to avoid using bird feeders in areas visible three of which can be largely captured in to geese! vegetated buffers.

Looks like we need to find some- Benefits of Vegetative Buffers place else to eat - Bummer!! • Filter pollutants in surface runoff; Berkshire Regional Planning Commission • Absorb water; Berkshire Planning Tools • Stabilize eroding banks; • Contribute to the natural aquatic food chain; This project was made possible by a grant to the Town of • Provide wildlife habitat and travel corridors; Otis Lake Watershed Demonstration Restoration Grant • Provide shade and cover for fish; Program administered by the Massachusetts Department of • Deter geese; Conservation and Recreation. Information in this brochure is largely gathered from Berkshire Regional Planning • Provide privacy for landowners. Commission’s Massachusetts Buffer Manual: Using Vegetated Buffers to Protect our Lakes and Rivers (Draft form, August 2003). Watershed Association Association Watershed River Farmington Street 749 Hopmeadow 06070 CT Simsbury, What vegetation should I use? Designing and Planting Your Buffer Case Study: Small lot lakeshore property in Western MA

There is a great variety of native, non-invasive People live along the waterfront for a variety of This demonstration project was funded in part by EPA, MA DEP, and MA DCR. The buffer was trees, shrubs and ground cover to choose from reasons: a view of the water, access to outdoor designed for a small lot as part of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission’s (BRPC) ‘Benefits of for your buffer. A very brief list of some recreation, privacy, or the soothing sounds of Buffers’ project. This buffer is approximately 60 feet long and 6-8 feet wide. Characteristics of this recommended options include: Silver Maple, waves lapping against the shore. Whatever the property are similar to those around Otis Reservoir due to its small lot size and 30 foot setback from the Black Walnut, Raspberry, Lowbush Blueberry, reason, a vegetated buffer can be designed to water. native ferns, Meadow Beauty, and Rose Mallow. meet the needs of the landowners and improve Learn More: BRPC has written a guidance the use and appearance of the property. manual on vegetated buffers. The manual Priorities of the Landowner describes in more detail how buffers filter pollution and provide wildlife habitat. The • Maintain a Lawn Area- You can still • Maintain aesthetics. As the waterfront yard maintain the lawn around your house for is a relatively small area, the buffer would be manual will be available over the internet at picnicking, lounging and family events. a very prominent landscape feature on the www.berkshireplanning.org this fall/winter. An Maintain grass heights at a lush 2-3 inches; property. extensive native plant list is currently available this will encourage a deeper and denser from the River Joint Commission • Maintain an unobstructed view of the lake. root growth and help the grass resist (website: www.crjc.org). The list is specific to • Maintain access. drought and weeds. VT and NH, however the vegetation listed for • Deter geese. Increasing numbers of geese ‘hardiness zones’ 4 and 5 are appropriate for • Maintain Your View- Low-growing are invading the lawn, making it unpleasant Berkshire County in MA. If you do not have vegetation such as shrubs, grasses, and possibly unhealthy for children to play access to the internet, contact the Farmington wildflowers, ferns and ground cover add and swim in the area. River Watershed Association at 860/658-4442 root depth without adding height. A few • Feature low-maintenance plants. trees can be situated to frame the view of and they can mail you a list. • Maintain approximately 20 feet of lawn the water from vantage points on the between the house and the buffer for family property. Careful pruning will maintain Vegetation to avoid: events. these views as the trees mature. It is almost more important to decide what • Maintain Your Lake Access- A mowed Benefits plants NOT to use than what plants to use. An pathway through the buffer can provide exotic invasive species is a species that is not access to the water. A pathway that is • Provides new landscape feature. native to Massachusetts and has the potential to curved or meandering, especially on steep • Canada geese have been deterred! establish and spread rapidly, threatening native slopes, will help prevent the trail from • The plants chosen for this buffer will pro- plants and biodiversity. Planting exotic invasives becoming eroded and becoming a direct vide a beautiful array of color all year should be avoided at all costs. DO NOT channel for stormwater runoff. A curved long: New England aster, Winterberry, PLANT these exotic invasive species (some can or meandering path or a gate will also deter Blue flag iris, Lowbush blueberry, Bear- still be found at local nurseries—BEWARE!): geese from using the path that was created berry and Sweet pepperbush. for human use. • This buffer includes plants that also pro- - Japanese barberry - Burning bush • Add Privacy- Pines and spruces provide vide fruit for wildlife. - Norway maples - Multiflora rose year-round screens for privacy. Deciduous • By using low growing plants the view has - Hardy kiwi vine - Porcelain berry trees provide nice seasonal changes: leaves been maintained. - Oriental bittersweet provide shade in the summer, foliage in the • A swing gate allows access to the water - For a complete list of MA invasive plants, autumn, and bare branches allow solar rays while still successfully deterring geese. reference the list put together by the to light and warm the house in the winter. Massachusetts Invasive Plant Group (www. A dense thicket of shrubs, especially a newfs.org/conserve/invlist.htm). prickly species, will discourage trespassers.