Vermont River Conservancy is very proud to host its second AmeriCorps volunteer, and to create this new partnership with Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. With funding support from AmeriCorps, the Richmond Conservation Commission, Richmond Land Trust, and the Lintilhac Foundation, VRC’s newest Swimming Hole Steward Morgan Perlman will support our stewardship efforts at popular swimming holes in Central Vermont. You’ll see him this summer at the Lower Huntington Gorge, the Bolton Potholes, and the North Branch Cascades greeting and surveying visitors, picking up litter and reminding you to Carry In, Carry Out any trash, implementing our management plans with trail maintenance, new signage, and environmental interpretation. We always encourage you to leave if parking is crowded, and remind you never to park illegally as it creates safety issues for road travel and emergency responses, and it means the site is too crowded to maintain safe distances from other people. And new this summer: to stay safe during the COVID19 pandemic, state guidance includes bringing your mask, staying in household groups of less than ten, giving a minimum of six feet space between you and others, washing your hands regularly, and keeping your dogs leashed. Morgan’s service is not to enforce these safety guidelines, but he can happily remind you why they are so important for keeping everyone healthy as we get outside and enjoy summer! Say hi to him when you see him, and please tell him what you like about each swimming hole – we want to know!