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Filter strips are narrow bands of herbaceous vegetation that are planted between the lower edges of cropland, grazing land, or other disturbed areas and environmentally sensitive resources such as streams or wetlands. These vegetated areas filter runoff coming off the fields and reduce the amount of sediment, particulate matter and pollutants that reach adjacent waterbodies.

These strips can also be used upslope of conservation practices such as ponds and terraces to reduce the amount of sediment and other particulates flowing into the practice area. In addition, filter strips serve to take up excess nutrients that have found their way into shallow groundwater, preventing these nutrients from entering and upsetting nearby aquatic environments.

Wildlife often benefit from the installation of filter strips both in the cover they create and the systems they protect.