Culdaff Riparian Buffer Zone Scheme: Final Report

The Culdaff Riparian Buffer Zone (CRiBZ) Scheme pilot, a catchment scale project in the North West of Ireland, aimed to work with local farmers and the community in the Culdaff area to protect and enhance the riparian zones, manage farm inputs into streams and improve habitat quality for biodiversity. The Operational Group comprised the Inishowen Rivers Trust, Inishowen Upland European Innovation Partnership, Trees on the Land, Irish Forestry, and Culaduff Community Angling Association. The project had four strands: 1. To work with farmers to design and implement effective riparian zones. 2. To provide farmers with a working plan for managing drains and ditches that connect to watercourses and promote nature-based solutions on the farm (Farm Drain Management Plans). 3. To allow biodiversity to flourish by providing habitat, shelter and food sources and to tackle invasive species along the river. 4. To promote social learning opportunities for the landowners and the local community who can engage with volunteer opportunities around tree planting and invasive species control. The report highlights the project results. Nine farmers completed measures to create riparian buffers and fence the riverbank. Over 4.5km of riverbank was protected. A further 32 community members volunteered to help plant 6,000 trees into these buffer zones in 2022 and 2023. Beehives and beekeeping were perceived highlights of the project.