News Archive
Whiteside Conservation Project Fundraising
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Help conserve over 83 acres along the North Branch of the Winooski River in Worcester and Middlesex. VRC has a short-term opportunity to purchase this large parcel of undeveloped land along the North Branch. Read more about the project and donate to help conserve this unique parcel.
Whiteside Conservation Project
VRC Recycles A House
Friday, July 9th, 2010
VRC engaged a contractor to take down the building on the “Dumaine Parcel” near the East Branch of the Nulhegan River and grade the site. All useable wood and metal were recycled. Tree planting this fall and the natural return of vegetation to the house site will evolve into a riparian buffer between Route 105 and the river shore campsite on this 7-acre parcel. In time natural grasses will be overtaken by shrubs and trees, creating excellent wildlife habitat. A path will lead from a small parking area to the campsite.
Site With House
Site After House Recycled
VRC Annual Report Now Available
Monday, June 7th, 2010
VRC’s Annual Report (which is actually a biannual report for 2008-2009), has just arrived and we are mailing a copy to our colleagues and supporters. You can read it online by going to “About VRC” and clicking on “Annual Reports”. Our thanks to the National Life Group for its generous donation of printing the report. Contact us here at VRC if you would like to receive a hard copy of the report.
And We Have a Winner!
Friday, May 21st, 2010
Bridget Thabault of Burlington is the winner of our 12-foot Jackson Day Tripper kayak. Thanks to all who supported VRC with their purchase of raffle tickets. “We are all absolutely thrilled to have won the kayak raffle sponsored by the Vermont River Conservancy, and can’t wait to get it on the lake. As native Vermonters we applaud the efforts of the VRC to conserve land along Vermont’s waters for public access. I know our kids will appreciate the opportunity to explore Vermont’s rivers and streams as they grow up. Our thanks to VRC, board and staff, for making this possible.” Bridget Thabault, John Saint Francis, Wilfred, Brima and Ella Jean Saint Francis
Multi-Faceted Group Discusses Connecticut River Paddlers’ Trail
Friday, January 15th, 2010
Representatives of nearly 15 conservation and resource groups met recently to discuss organizing a Connecticut River paddlers’ trail of campsites and access points running from the Connecticut Lakes in northern New Hampshire to the Massachusetts border.
The Connecticut River, which flows about 410 miles from its source in the Connecticut Lakes to its terminus at Long Island Sound, is a natural and recreational gem and the border between Vermont and New Hampshire. The groups that met December 15th ranged from the Vermont River Conservancy, which sponsored the event in St. Johnsbury, VT, to land trusts, the power company that operates dams on the river, and other organizations interested in the river’s recreational and environmental future.
The discussion was wide-ranging, but the organizations were united in their interest in making sure that potential recreational impacts on the river don’t detract from the Connecticut’s beauty and health. Although there are already campsites along the river, there is no single organization that coordinates the planning and development of new sites and the stewardship of access and camping along the entire paddlers’ trail. The discussions, led by VRC Executive Director Steve Libby, were a preliminary effort aimed at envisioning a future paddlers’ trail.
“We suggested that each organization decide on one, most important action they are planning to undertake over the next year,” said VRC founder Stephan Syz. “When this information is received by the Vermont River Conservancy, organized and redistributed, all groups will have a sense of the steps that are in the works to move the idea of a paddlers’ trail along. This will gradually bring people to the North Country to use this special resource and provide some economic benefits to the region.”
Among the issues discussed were:
• The best way to create a collaborative entity that encompasses many participating groups, protects the natural landscape of the river, manages campsites and ensures accessibility to the public.
• How to create a web page and a single set of signs, guidebooks and maps that includes information contained in current publications.
• Importance of standards, such as leave-no-trace camping, litter clean-up and sanitation, and building upon the Connecticut River Primitive Campsite Stewardship Protocol, which sets guidelines for campsite locations, user etiquette, and landowner relations.
• How to cooperate to link any new campsites to already established ones such as those overseen by the Upper Valley Land Trust, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, TransCanada Hydro Northeast and other organizations.
• The importance of working closely with landowners, volunteers and communities along the river.
• Identifying sites most suitable for campsites.
• How to get information out about a paddlers’ trail without over-promoting use of the river.
Among the organizations represented at the event were: Connecticut River Watershed Council; Vermont Land Trust; Friends of the Nulhegan; Columbia, N.H., Conservation Commission; Northern Forest Canoe Trail; TransCanada Hydro Northeast; NorthWoods Stewardship Center; National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program; Silvio Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge; Upper Valley Land Trust; Connecticut River Joint Commission; Vermont Department of Forest and Parks; and Vermont River Conservancy.
Work Group Focuses on the North Branch of the Winooski River
Monday, November 30th, 2009
The VRC Board has recognized the unique characteristics of the North Branch: Nationally acclaimed white water runs, an undeveloped corridor, pristine swimming holes and important habitat for wood turtles, and wildlife corridors of statewide significance. The work group will examine conservation opportunities along the river. Proceeds from our kayak raffle will be used to support this work.
VRC Completes Seven Projects in 2009
Monday, November 30th, 2009
Working with landowners, foundations, individual donors and the VT ANR River Management Program, VRC has completed seven projects along the Winooski, Middlebury, New Haven, White, Upper Connecticut and Nulhegan Rivers.
Check our “Completed Projects” page for more details about each project.
VRC Closes on Four River Corridor Projects
Friday, August 14th, 2009
Over the last few months, working with the VT ANR River Management Program, VRC has completed the purchase of four river corridor easements along the Winooski, Middlebury, New Haven and White Rivers. Check our Completed Projects page for details of each project.
VRC Online Auction
Monday, June 15th, 2009
THE VRC ONLINE AUCTION IS NOW CLOSED! Thanks to everyone who bid and bid again on over 100 items donated by our wonderful VRC supporters. It was a very successful event, and all proceeds will be used to continue our work protecting public access to lands along Vermont’s waters.
VRC Closes on Another Nulhegan River Parcel
Friday, June 12th, 2009
VRC just purchased a 7.4-acre parcel along the East Branch of the Nulhegan River. Learn more about the Dumaine project on our Completed Projects page.