Riparian Buffer Month 2026

Each October, Prince William Water celebrates Riparian Buffer Month. Riparian buffers are strips of native vegetation located along the shorelines of rivers, lakes and streams. They naturally capture and absorb pollution before it reaches water bodies, prevent soil erosion and provide valuable habitat for mammals, birds, and other animals.

To help us celebrate Riparian Buffer Month, you can read about Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) on Prince William County Government's website. RPAs protect water quality by preserving vegetation near bodies of water. By preventing erosion and absorbing pollutants, trees and shrubs planted alongside water bodies - like the Occoquan Reservoir - protect our drinking water sources.

You can also participate in one of the many stream cleanups happening throughout our region this month.