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Wind Breaks and Buffer Strips |
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| Wind Breaks |  |
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Wind breaks, also known as shelter belts, are two or more rows of trees and shrubs strategically located to provide shelter from prevailing winter winds. |
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Soil erosion control, snow control, temperature moderation, noise control and energy savings are benefits of windbreaks. Well designed and properly placed windbreaks can reduce energy costs by as much as 20 - 40%. Research shows that farm animals protected by windbreaks experience higher rates of weight gain and fewer health problems during the winter. |
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| Windbreaks are aesthetically pleasing and provide desirable wildlife habitat. | ||
| Suitable trees for each type of wind break are available through the Ontario County SWCD Tree and Shrub sale held each spring. | ||
| More information is available at these websites: http://www.unl.edu/nac/windbreaks.htm http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/TECHNICAL/ECS/forest/wind/windbreaks.html |
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| Buffer Strips - Vegetative Buffers | ||
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| Buffer Strips are rows of trees and shrubs designed to protect water resources by holding soil that might otherwise erode into streams, filtering out contaminants, and providing for infiltration into underlying soils. Shade cools the stream, benefiting fish and other aquatic animals. | ||
| More information is available at these websites: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/FEATURE/buffers/ http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/water/pubs/fs_st/stfs13.htm |
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| Vegetated Filter Strips |  |
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| Vegetated or grass filter strips are low-angle vegetated slopes designed to treat sheet flow runoff from adjacent contaminant sources. Filter strips function by slowing runoff velocities, filtering out sediment and other pollutants, and providing some infiltration into underlying soils. | ||
| More information is available at the following website: http://www.sera17.ext.vt.edu/Documents/BMP_Filter_Strips.pdf |
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