Description: Through restoration and educational outreach, the Walla Walla County Conservation District, Tri-State
Steelheaders, and Kooskooskie Commons have been working to improve water
quality and riparian habitat along streams that flow through the urban centers
of Walla Walla and College Place. The Creating Urban Riparian
Buffers (CURB) program provides funding and technical expertise to help
homeowners plant a riparian buffer along their backyard stream. The
benefit of planting riparian buffers is in preventing water contaminated with
pesticides, fertilizers, fecal coliform bacteria, and other toxics from
entering streams. When mature, the trees provide shade to keep water cool, and
their roots help stabilize the stream banks. The riparian buffers are
comprised of native plants and are designed to fit into the landscape of an
urban backyard. As of Fall 2011, 32 contracts have been installed. Site preparation and
planting are carried out by volunteers from area colleges and community
groups. Participating homeowners contribute in-kind match through the
maintenance of their native plant buffers.