Living in Harmony with Streams: A Citizen's Handbook to How Streams Work

The Friends are extremely excited about our most recent publication: Living in Harmony with Streams: A Citizen's Handbook to How Streams Work.  In the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, there were lots of questions about how to manage our streams.  Should we dredge?  Should we armor the banks?  How do dredging and armoring banks impact the aquatic life?  How do they impact downstream communities? This handbook describes the natural processes of streams and how human development and actions impact those processes.  It also describes the Vermont Rivers Program, stream geomorphic assessment and corridor planning.  After you have read through the handbook,  visit the Vermont River Management page to find many more resources including a list of completed corridor plans.  

The Friends partnered with the WInooski Natural Resources Conservation District and the White River Natural Resources Conservation District to produce the guide.  Funding and/or technical assistance was provided by the Vermont Rivers Program, the Ecosystem Restoration Program and the Lake Champlain Basin Program. 

Spring Volunteer Opportunties are Just Around the Corner!!

Spring may feel a long way off but the Friends and partners are busy planning many projects!  Sign up for our newsletter if you want updates on specific opportunities as details become available. 

We have riparian restoration projects planned for the Upper Winooski in Plainfield, the Stevens Branch in Barre, the Dog River in Northfield and Berlin, the North Branch in Worcester and Middlesex, Allen Brook in Williston and Alder Brook in Essex.      

We will holding a series of residential stormwater workshops in Montpelier, Barre and several communities in Chittenden County.  We are looking to recruit 'Stormwater Ambassadors', who would be willing to host small gatherings at their homes to learn about residential stormwater practices.

We are also in need of volunteer water quality monitors.  We will be continue programs in the Upper Winooski and the 'Four Rivers' area of the Stevens and North Branchs, and the Dog and Winooski Rivers.  There will also be a new program as part of the Chittenden County Stream Team. 

 

 

 

 
 

Friends Annual Dinner February 7th

The Friends will be holding our annual dinner on February 7th at the recently reopened Cider House in Waterbury (1675 Route 2).  We hope that you will join us.

Our speaker will be Dr. Alan Betts of Atmospheric Research in Pittsford VT.  Dr. Betts is co-chair of the cross-cutting working group of the Vermont Climate Collaborative and has worked on climate change adaptation planning for Vermont.

The evening will begin at 5:30 with music by Colin McCaffery, dinner at 6:00 and the program at 7:00.  The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.  It is not too late to become a member!

Register by emailing us or calling 882-8276.  Payment will be at the door. 

Live Along the River? Want to Help Protect It?

The Land Owner Assistance Guide was created for landowners who are looking to help protect and/or restore their land that abuts the river. It contains a list of technical, financial, educational and publication resources for landowners organized by program/publication. There is an online version of the guide you browse on our website. Or you can download a newly redesigned version of the guide.