Riparian Buffer Restoration

This forest community, located near the entrance to the Preserve at Vassar, was expanded and restored throughout 2023. The restoration, funded through a grant from Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley, focused on the expansion of the riparian buffer through tree and shrub plantings. As the plants grow, the water quality in the adjacent stream should improve due to decreased erosion, sedimentation, and runoff. The restoration of the riparian buffer also included invasive species removal, community outreach, and planting pollinator-friendly species in the buffer. As you take pictures or watch the time-lapse, observe how the forest has improved as a result of restoration and how the entrance to the preserve has changed! 

The Preserve at Vassar is a 525-acre multi-use space situated just south of Vassar College’s campus in Poughkeepsie, NY. The northeastern portion of the Preserve hosts a number of organizations and initiatives, including The Environmental Cooperative at the Vassar Barns, the Hudson Valley Corps of the Student Conservation Association, the Community Gardens, the Poughkeepsie Farm Project, and Vassar Rugby. The Vassar Cross Country teams also use the Preserve for practices and meets. 

The remainder of the Preserve, around 475 acres, is a designated natural area comprised of many habitats, including streams, wetlands, ponds, forests, and old fields populated by a stunning diversity of flora and fauna. The Preserve is an invaluable resource for Vassar students and faculty, who conduct scientific research to better understand the Preserve’s natural systems and work to protect and preserve the ecological diversity of the land, ensuring that its educational value will be maintained in perpetuity. 

Visitors from Vassar and the surrounding communities also use the Preserve’s extensive network of marked trails to hike, bike, run, and explore one of the few remaining large green spaces in the greater Poughkeepsie area.