Orleans County Locally led Conservation Meeting

In 2022, the Locally-led Conservation Planning Workgroup secured $50,000 for conservation projects in Orleans County. Locally-led conservation planning is based on the principle that community stakeholders are best suited to identify and resolve local natural resource problems.

Convened by Orleans County Conservation District, this year’s Locally-led Conservation Planning Forum will be held on May 18, 12:30pm – 4:30pm at the Prouty Beach Pavilion in Newport. Community members are encouraged to attend the meeting to engage in a dialogue about conservation objectives and projects in Orleans County and the region’s watersheds. Participants will learn about current issues and projects and will have the chance to voice their concerns about resource conservation issues that matter to the community. Additionally, a presentation of the draft proposal for the new five-year Tactical Basin Plan for the Memphremagog Watershed will also be shared. A local dessert of Jed’s maple donuts and Kingdom Creamery ice cream will be served.

The outcomes of the forum will be the basis for the Conservation District’s recommendations to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for securing additional funds that will be available to Orleans County landowners. And for recommendations to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) on how to allocate resources to reflect local resource concern priorities. NRCS administers several programs funded through the Federal Farm Bill and VTDEC oversees basin plans that list strategies to improve Vermont’s water quality. These programs are designed to assist farmers, forest owners, and other landowners in implementing projects that benefit soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and other natural resource concerns.

Please RSVP by Friday, May 12th by contacting the Orleans County Conservation District at sarah.damsell@vt.nacdnet.net or 802-334-6090 x7008.

Learn more about the Memphremagog Tactical basin Plan here:
https://dec.vermont.gov/…/tactical-basin-planning/basin17