Conservation buffers are small areas or strips of land in permanent naturally occurring or planted vegetation that are designed to intercept pollutants and manage other environmental concerns. The vegetation filters out sediments, nutrients, pesticides, and other pollutants before they reach the water body. Conservation buffers can include filter strips, riparian buffers, grass waterways, contour buffer strips, and field borders.

Naturally vegetated lands along rivers and streams are called riparian buffers. Appropriately sized areas can limit streambank erosion, reduce flood flows, filter and settle-out pollutants, and protect aquatic and terrestrial habitat. As a tool for local governments, riparian buffers are used to maintain riparian area functions. Riparian buffers can be reestablished through landowner education, land acquisition, revegetation, and land-use controls on new development.