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.

Grass waterways are sloped grassed channels, generally broad and shallow, that prevent soil erosion while draining runoff water from adjacent cropland. The grass vegetation also prevents erosion that results from concentrated flows and prevents gully erosion in areas of concentrated flow.