The River Trail
Chemung River Guide
River Groups
The Watershed
Wildlife
Bayscaping
Trails and Parks
River Poems
Bayscaping
"BayScapes" are environmentally sound landscapes benefiting
people, wildlife and the Chesapeake Bay.
We recommend them for three main reasons:
1. BayScaping incorporates native plants into the landscape. Plant choices
range from grasses to perennials, shrubs and native wildflowers. The plant
list varies from boat launch to boat launch.
Low-growing clovers and perennial sweet pea are used for soil conservation
on the steeper banks. 'Ruby' red osier dogwoods, shrubs with the brilliant
red twigs, are planted for their tolerance to wet soils. 
Wildflowers such as coneflowers, lilies, bee balms and daisies add color
and attract birds and butterflies. All of these reclaim land from non-native
"invasive" plants.
2. BayScaping makes conservation happen. The plants protecting water quality
by holding soil in place, protecting stream banks and filtering pollutants.
BayScaping also creates a "shaggy" border along a streambank
that discourages geese, who prefer close-clipped lawns and golf courses.
3. BayScaping is low maintenance. There is no need to mow every year,
saving gas and time.
We hope our BayScaping inspires you to try this at home!
For more information, contact:
Diane Fiorentino, Senior Resource Educator
Environment & Horticulture
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County
425 Pennsylvania Avenue
Elmira, New York 14904
PHONE: 607-734-4453 FAX: 607-734-7740
EMAIL: dmf29@cornell.edu