It’s a sunny August day in the mid-seventies and the outdoors is calling. Where do you go? In southern Vermont, public access riverlands managed by Vermont River Conservancy are the perfect place to explore the sights, sounds, and sensations of your living world.
Vermonters have proven once again that in times of need, we show up for one another. Here are some of the resources that have come across our desks in the last month.
Unfortunately, due to the recent flooding and ongoing rain it is NOT SAFE to swim in Vermont's rivers and swimming holes right now – and we’re not yet sure when it will be. Rivers are high and currents are swift. The water is filled with debris, sewage, e.coli, propane, fertilizer, and any number of things you don't want to swim in.
Over the last 48 hours our rivers rose to unimaginable heights, and many of us were faced with a mix of awe and wonder, grief and fear, and a sense of powerlessness in the face of water’s torrent. We are so grateful for the many landowners we’ve worked with who, by deciding to protect their land, decided to help to keep the rest of us safer when the rivers rose.
Wednesday mornings in June, join a Vermont River Conservancy ecologist in the field to explore Vermont's rivers from a bird's eye view. No, not from a helicopter -- we're really talking about birds! Each week we'll explore a different site, identify special habitat features, and watch in real time as birds hunt, forage, breed, and nest.
Here’s a sneak peek at a few of our projects “in the pipeline” – just a handful of the 23 places we're working to protect in 2023: big trucks restoring a floodplain and building a park in downtown Brattleboro, protecting shaded mossy canyons in central Vermont, and securing public access at a covered bridge in the Northeast Kingdom.
As spring turns to summer and the sun’s rays beat down, it’s tempting to relish afternoons splashing in warm waters – comfortable for an afternoon dip, but life threatening for wildlife. The eastern wild brook trout thrives in water up to 65° and can tolerate a few degrees more. 75° kills. This spring, we finished three projects to create a brighter future for brook trout – places where these speckled fish can count on cooler waters year-round.
Meet our 2023 River Steward! Summer is a busy season for us here at Vermont River Conservancy. Amanda will be a friendly face out in the field, helping us get all of the important work done on the ground.
Dream up your favorite sign of spring, and you dream of waters: wetlands welcoming back a kaleidoscope of songbirds, miniature frogs raising giant voices into the night, starbright petals balanced atop wet-footed greens, and furled ferns stretching towards light. Hear how our growing team is working to protect the special places these plants and wildlife love.
Cabot videographer Onel Salazar visited a dozen Vermont swimming holes and produced six films showcasing places to enjoy riverside walks, beat the heat, or enjoy an afternoon picnic. Dive into Onel’s videos and discover a new Vermont swimming hole to add to your summer adventure list.
Mike Kline worked with Stephan Syz and Tom Willard to help charter the VRC in 1995. After creating the Vermont Rivers Program at the Department of Environmental Conservation, and consulting on fluvial matters in Vermont and around the country, he shares why he's excited to be back on the VRC Board after a 25-year sabbatical.
Spring is here. The rivers are full of new green shoots and invigorated life. VRC intern Maia Mencucci introduces us to the various waterfowl we can expect to see along Vermont's rivers this time of year.
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