This edition of RipRap looks at the benefits that landholders can gain from managing their riparian zones as part of a total farm system. It also examines the work that is being done by Gary Brierley and Kirstie Fryirs on identifying the 'recovery potential' of a particular reach of river or stream. This work enables us to focus attention on those parts of the river and riparian zone that will respond best to rehabilitation activities. The result is that Gary and Kirstie's work can be used by landholders to identify and develop cost-effective river and riparian management strategies that will reap optimum ecological and economic benefits.