Abstract：SNS(safety netting system) active protection is an open system to reinforce slopes. Considering its merits—easy to install，high efficiency，low cost and artistic effect on slopes，it has been widely used in many fields of domestic industries，such as hydropower station，civil transportation and mining engineering. Though the feasibility of combining herbage protection with the SNS active system does exist，few practical engineering using this method were put into effect. The study on this issue is also scarce. In this paper，the authors summarize the conventional ways to afforest slopes，discuss the feasibility of combining SNS active system with slope vegetation，and suggest that three vegetation ways can be used to the slopes reinforced by the SNS active system. The authors also advise proper amendment of these vegetation ways. A new method of evaluating the stability of the slope protected by the flexible active protection system is put forward. The reinforcing effect of slope protection with herbage at shallow layer is demonstrated；a simplified geometrical model to simulate the situation of the slope is proposed，from which formulas used to calculate safety factor can be deduced；and a practical engineering slope is used to testify the formulas. The results show that the formulas are applicable. The following conclusions can be drawn as follows：(1) the SNS active protection can successfully reinforce slopes；(2) the SNS-herbage protection overcomes the inconvenience of traditional ways to reinforce slopes，improves the effect of the vegetation，and becomes a developing method with ecological and social benefits. So，the SNS combined with herbage protection is recommended.
