The Watersheds United Vermont (WUV) and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Enhancement Riparian Buffer Grant (ERBG) supports organizations in implementing high-priority, cost-effective riparian woody buffer plantings along rivers and streams using native vegetation.
Donor Name: Watersheds United Vermont (WUV)
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/03/2025
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Projects must have a minimum buffer width of 35 feet and a minimum planting density of at least 300 stems/acre. All projects and expenses under the ERBG must meet the requirements of the 2023 DEC CWIP (Clean Water Initiative Program) Funding Policy.
Eligible Expenses
For Riparian Buffer Plantings, this means that groups can include tools in their budget. Examples include:
- Shovels
- Planting Gear (gloves, rain gear, planting boots)
- Saw dust and sorting bags for tree storage
- Wagon or carts to transport trees on large sites
- Stakes or flagging to mark planting area
- Items for tree survival/maintenance.
Planting Site Eligibility
- Projects must meet at least one of the statutorily-defined purposes for Enhancement Grants:
- There are 5 statutorily defined purposes for the Enhancement Grant Program:
- Protect high quality waters,
- Maintain or improve water quality,
- Restore degraded or stressed waters,
- Create resilient watersheds and communities, or
- Support the public’s use and enjoyment of the State’s waters.
Planting Requirements
- General Buffer Requirements:
- Must be at least 35’
- Need to have at least 300 stems per acre
- Native woody species appropriate to site location
- Planting Plan and Landowner Agreement completed before planting
- Adherence to the USDA NRCS Forest Buffer Standards
- Additional Prioritization Criteria:
- Stock from Vermont grown nurseries
- 3 to 5-foot trees (both this and the above recommendation have been shown to lead to lower mortality)
- Wider buffers (50 feet) where appropriate and possible
- More stems per acre (400) for certain sites
- Planting is located on smaller headwater streams.
For more information, visit WUV.
