Nitrates and Phosphates ~ Nitrates and phosphates are naturally occurring nutrients in the environment; however, excessive amounts of these nutrients can be harmful to waterways. These nutrients can induce large algal blooms, which die over time, and through decomposition use up large amounts of valuable oxygen. Nutrients enter waterways through excess water runoff and erosion of unprotected soil.

Sedimentation ~ Sediment consists of tiny particles of soil and organic material. Sediment enters waterways through excessive soil erosion; sediment particles cloud water, increase stream temperature, and commonly transport additional contaminates. These particles also gather along the streambed, covering the habitat of bottom-dwelling aquatic life.

CREP has a list of conservation practices that have been created to meet both environmental needs and the goals of the landowner. These practices can be discussed with a CREP planner, who visits the property where CREP will be implemented.

CREP Helps with Water Quality & Wildlife Habitat Development!

Riparian corridors, wetlands, and highly erodible lands (HEL) enrolled in CREP are allowed to revert to their natural state, and may be helped along in this process with the planting of native trees, shrubs, plants, and grasses. These “wild”-looking vegetated areas stabilize soil and act as natural filter strips for runoff. Additionally, as the riparian buffer matures, the stream becomes shaded by vegetation, helping control stream water temperature. Through CREP, new wetlands can be constructed in cultivated areas where soil tests indicate that a wetland existed in the past. These wetlands control flooding and wetland plants help remove water contaminants. A unique feature of these areas is that the resulting vegetation is specific to riparian corridors, wetlands, or grassland habitats.

Common Vegetation found in Riparian Buffers, Wetlands, and Grassland Habitats*

Riparian Corridors and Wetlands		Grassland Areas
Trees: •northern red oak •swamp white oak •pin oak •slippery elm •hemlock •green ash •basswood •sycamore •black willow	Shrubs: •spicebush •swamp rose •elderberry •silky dogwood •arrowwood •winterberry Plants: •cattail •wax myrtle •soft rush •iris •pepperbush	Cool Season Grasses: •orchardgrass •perennial ryegrass •timothy WarmSeason Grasses: •big bluestem •little bluestem •indian grass •switchgrass	Forbs and Wildflowers: •blackeyed susan •sunflower •milkweed •phlox •goldenrod
*please note: This is not a comprehensive list of plant species and by no means guarantees the presence or absence of species listed.

A variety of wildlife depends on grassland habitats and adjacent riparian areas year-round. Birds use the many layers of vegetation cover (trees, shrubs, and grasses) and plentiful plant species found in these habitats for food and cover. During the breeding season, many ground-nesting bird and mammal species build nests in the vegetation and use the cover to raise and protect their young. In the winter, seeds are foraged and dead vegetation creates pockets where ground-dwelling birds can take shelter. Butterflies, and other beneficial insects, feed on the flowers that grow in the grassland. Unlike the specific vegetation of riparian corridors, wetlands, and grasslands, the wildlife that depend on these areas commonly travel between them for both food and shelter.

Possible Wildlife Attracted to Riparian, Wetland, and Grassland Habitats*

Birds	Amphibians/Reptiles	Insects	Mammals
Open Glassland: •upland sandpiper -- SSC •American kestrel •northern harrier -- SSC •short-eared owl -- SSC •eastern -bluebird -- GCI •Henslow’s sparrow -- GCI •dickcissel -- GCI •red-headed woodpecker -- GCI Riparian: •wood duck •American woodcock -- GCI •Wilson’s snipe -- SSC •barn owl -- SSC •warbling vireo •yellow warbler •great blue heron Open Country/Forest Edge: •northern bobwhite quail -- SSC •ringneck pheasant •wild turkey SSC – species of special concern GCI – general conservation interest	Turtles: •red-bellied turtle •wood turtle •box turtle Other Various Reptiles: •black rat snake •common garter snake •smooth green snake Frogs: •pickerel frog •leopard frog   Salamanders: •dusky •two-lined Other Wildlife •amber snails •white-lip globe snail •freshwater mussels	Butterflies: •bronze copper •northern metalmark •Baltimore checkerspot •meadow frittillary •Milbert’s tortiseshell Dragonflies and Damselflies: •ocellated darner skillet •clubtail dragonhunter •turquoise bluet •jewelwing Other Various Insects: •Appalachian tiger beetle •daggar moths •borer moths •honey bee	•cottontail rabbit •meadow vole •whitetail deer • red fox •mink •weasel •raccoon •bats •shrews Fish •dace •darters •sculpins •trout •bass

*please note: This is not a comprehensive list of wildlife and by no means guarantees the presence or absence of species listed.

Enrollment Rewards!

Congratulations! You are now taking part in one of the premier conservation programs in Pennsylvania! Not only are you being environmentally friendly to water quality and wildlife habitat, you are being financially compensated for your good deeds. Remember, your responsibilities don’t end with CREP Conservation Practice installation. You must keep your CREP practices in maintain for the entire term of the CREP contract. But don’t worry – if you stay involved during the development of your CREP Conservation Plan and play an active role in understanding your responsibilities, you will be equipped for success! Also, there are many federal, state, and local partners available to help you with the technical details of CREP, from maintaining tree seedling health to caring for newly installed wetlands. By calling the toll-free number at the bottom of this page you can hear a list of the CREP partners and get the phone number for your local CREP contact.

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More Information

CREP - Wildlife Habitat Fact Sheet

CREP - Reducing Mowing to Benefit Wildlife

Common Beneficial Plants