Location: Dorchester County, Maryland
Type of buffer: Agricultural
Partners Involved: Maryland Forest Service and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Submitted by: Dakota Durcho
Growing Change on Old Frederick Road
When Kevin Folk looked out across his fields along an unnamed tributary to Fishing Creek, he saw an opportunity to do something different. For years, this stretch of land had been used for rotational crops—but the ground often stayed wet, and Kevin wanted to find a way to make it both more productive for wildlife and better for the creek that ran nearby.
With support from the Maryland Forest Service and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Kevin enrolled in the Healthy Forests Healthy Waters program and planted 800 young, water-loving hardwood trees in the spring of 2021. The trees, spaced 10 feet apart, now form a growing buffer that helps filter runoff, stabilize the soil, and protect water quality flowing toward Fishing Creek.
Just south of the tree planting, Kevin added a colorful flower meadow, creating a beautiful transition from cropland to forest while attracting pollinators and adding seasonal color to the landscape. Despite the site’s wet conditions, careful hand-planting and ongoing maintenance have ensured strong establishment—thanks in large part to Kevin’s consistent mowing and stewardship.
This project is a great example of how one landowner’s vision and care can restore the natural connection between land and water, creating lasting benefits for both.
October is Riparian Buffer Month!
This post is part of the fifth annual CCLC Riparian Buffer Month, a celebration of the people and partnerships that make riparian restoration possible. Join us all month long as we build awareness, promote events, and share success stories like Kevin’s. Check back tomorrow to see another inspiring buffer project in action!
