30 Years Strong. Our work started three decades ago when volunteers joined together to protect a place on the Dog River that had hosted generations of swimmers cooling off, anglers casting for trout, and paddlers launching kayaks. When private landowners threatened to post “no trespassing” signs, volunteers stepped in to secure public access, forever. We continue in this tradition today, working to make sure all people, no matter their background, can access a most universal resource — water — for swimming, angling, and paddling. Today, we’ve grown to protect and restore more than 100 places along rivers, wetlands, and headwater forests, building on a strong foundation of volunteers, community members, and supporters that make it all happen. Thank you!
Join us for a celebration in a community near you! We’re hosting 6 months of activities – a chance to get your boots wet and connect with our growing community of river lovers, discuss big ideas with our book group, or listen and learn via virtual webinars.
River Tours
Come take a hike at this enchanting forest in Marlboro where old trees grow, bobcats and porcupines den, and groundwater seeps, swamps, and streams make up the headwaters of the Green River. Vermont River Conservancy teamed up with the Green Mountain Conservancy to conserve this amazing place in 2024. Now we’re teaming up again to share a special guided walk led by ecologists from both organizations, including Hayley Kolding, Vermont River Conservancy’s Southern Vermont Conservation Manager. We’ll find life emerging throughout the forest and wetlands, from trees leafing out and wildflowers blooming, to returning migrant birds singing as they begin their nesting season.
Date: Sunday, May 11, 2025
Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Location: Private residence, Marlboro, Vermont 05344 (details will be shared upon registration)
Details: This walk will wind through the forest, including rocky and wet areas in both sun and shade. Some portions may be buggy.
Remember to bring: Walking shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug protection, and anything else you might need to remain comfortable outdoors for 2 hours. (Please, check the weather and dress accordingly – layers are often a great idea!)
Come take a beginner friendly walk in Brattleboro at the new floodplain restoration park, Kikitta Ahki! Learn about the history of the project and identify and look for birds as we look around this new beautiful place! Led by Isla, Vermont River Conservancy VHCB AmeriCorps member. Isla is also a beginner birder and will learn and discover alongside you!
Date: Tuesday, May 20
Time: 5-6 p.m.
Location: Kikitta Ahki, 250 Birge St, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Details: This walk will wind through the floodplain park, which is mostly flat with paths, leading down to the Whetstone Brook.
Remember to bring: Walking shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug protection, and anything else you might need to remain comfortable outdoors for 1 hour.
Part 1 of the River Walk in Barre City
Wednesday, May 28 | 6–8 PM
Join us for a 2-mile walk along Stevens Branch and Gunners Brook that brings together community members and flood mitigation experts for a discussion about opportunities to lessen the extent of damage from major flood events and create community spaces at potential river access points.
Meeting Location:
572 N Main Street (Ayer Auto Sales)
Part 2 of the River Walk in Barre City
Saturday, May 31 | 2-4PM
The Barre City River Access Master Plan project is exploring different types of access along the rivers in Barre. On this walk, we will visit three potential access points, learn about their history and ecology, and welcome your ideas for site designs.
Meeting Location:
572 N Main Street (Ayer Auto Sales)
Park at your own risk.
This is a family-friendly event with food provided! Transportation between stops, child-care, and language support are available. Please confirm what accommodations you need by Wednesday, May 21st, at 5 pm by using the RSVP link below.
Come take a beginner friendly walk in Brattleboro at the new floodplain restoration park, Kikitta Ahki! Learn about the history of the project and identify and look for birds as we look around this new beautiful place! Led by Isla, Vermont River Conservancy VHCB AmeriCorps member. Isla is also a beginner birder and will learn and discover alongside you!
Date: Wednesday, May 28
Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Location: Kikitta Ahki, 250 Birge St, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Details: This walk will wind through the floodplain park, which is mostly flat with paths.
Remember to bring: Walking shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug protection, and anything else you might need to remain comfortable outdoors for 2 hours.
Join Vermont River Conservancy’s Northern Vermont Conservation Manager, Remy Crettol, for an afternoon walk along the Lamoille River. During this 1.5-mile walk, Remy will outline how river corridor protections help improve flood resilience by preserving natural floodplains and allowing rivers to flow and expand during high water events. Remy will also share how landowners and community members can move the needle on watershed flood resilience through a long-term, passive approach to the conservation and restoration of our rivers and floodplains. (Part of our 30th anniversary River Tour series.)
Date: Friday, May 30, 2025
Time: 1 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: Park & Ride Lamoille Rail Trail – 5464 VT-15, Jeffersonville, VT 05464
Details: Be prepared to walk up to 1.5 miles on a completely wide flat surface.
Remember to bring: Walking shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug protection, and anything else you might need to remain comfortable outdoors for 2 hours. (Please, check the weather and dress accordingly – layers are often a great idea!)
Functioning floodplain doing its job well along the Lamoille River.
Come take a beginner friendly nature walk in Brattleboro at the West River Trail! Discover and learn as we take a walk down a beautiful trail along the West River, learn about the native and invasive plants and birds we see along the way. Led by Isla, Vermont River Conservancy VHCB AmeriCorps member.
Date: Monday, June 2nd
Time: 5-6 p.m.
Location: Meet at the trail head for the lower section of the West River Trail, 125 Spring Tree Rd, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Details: This walk is mostly flat with clear paths.
Remember to bring: Walking shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug protection, and anything else you might need to remain comfortable outdoors for 1 hour.
Come sample for macroinvertebrates in the Whetstone Brook! Beginner friendly! Discover and learn as we take a look in the stream and see what we can find! All materials will be provided! Please bring boots or wading shoes to step into the brook with! Led by Isla, Vermont River Conservancy VHCB AmeriCorps member.
Date: Monday, June 12
Time: 9-11 a.m.
Location: Kikitta Ahki, 250 Birge St, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Details: This walk is mostly flat with clear paths down to the Whetstone Brook.
Remember to bring: Wading shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug protection, and anything else you might need to remain comfortable outdoors for 2 hours and possibly get wet.
Join us at the confluence of Bull Creek and the Saxtons River alongside the Windmill Ridge to learn about interconnected projects to conserve rivers, forests, wetlands, and trails in southern Vermont.
Lined with willows and alders where sparrows and warblers hop, Bull Creek flows through Sleepy Valley to a confluence with the dramatic and geomorphically sensitive Saxtons River. On either side of the valley, trails wind through rich northern hardwood forest, hemlock forest, and dryer summit communities with hickory and oak. On this walking tour, ecologists and neighbors from Vermont River Conservancy, the Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association, and Bull Creek Common Lands will share an intimate perspective on the landscape we are working together to conserve – and a nuts and bolts explanation of what we’ve done so far, and where we’re going next.
Vermont River Conservancy’s Hayley Kolding , and Andy Toepfer (Bull Creek Common Lands), Hannah Regier (Bull Creek Common Lands/Vermont Land Trust), and Lisa Merton (Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association) are ecologists and conservation specialists working together to protect land and water for people and wildlife in the Saxtons River watershed and beyond.
Date: Sunday, June 22
Time: 12-2 p.m.
Location: Sleepy Valley Road, Athens, VT
Remember to bring: Boots, bring gloves, water, lunch/snacks, sunscreen, etc. We will start by exploring the floodplain of Bull Creek and the Saxtons River, including a field with uneven footing and some wet areas in both sun and shade. Then we will move to the forested Bemis Hill trail, which includes steep portions and some wet areas. Bring snacks or a bag lunch – we’ll be moving slowly and there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery and a bite to eat
Save the date for this guided field walk exploring the fascinating history and science of Wilmington’s rivers and floodplains! With Hayley Kolding the ecologist and map-maker who manages Vermont River Conservancy’s conservation and outreach projects for Southern Vermont.
Date: Sunday, August 17th
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Wilmington, meeting location TBD
Remember to bring: Boots, bring gloves, water, lunch/snacks, sunscreen, etc.
Save the date for a playful and inspiring nature walk through the headwater forests of the Green River! With Hayley Kolding the ecologist and map-maker who manages Vermont River Conservancy’s conservation and outreach projects for Southern Vermont.
Date: Saturday, September 20th
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m
Location: Marlboro, Guilford, Halifax: Meeting location TBD
Remember to bring: Boots, bring gloves, water, lunch/snacks, sunscreen, etc.
In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the program, related events and activities, I, the undersigned, acknowledge and agree that:
