On June 6th, 2025, the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds and the Vermont DEC held our Annual Lake Seminar: Protecting and Restoring Lake Tributaries.
Water from the tributaries draining the surrounding watershed flows to our lakes. Depending on the land use within the watershed and particularly near these streams, the tributaries may carry pollution into the lake, in the form of excess nutrients, sediment, and other contaminants. This seminar will highlight stream science as well as practices aimed at reducing this pollution. These same practices help to improve flood resilience in the face of climate change.
Topics & speakers included:
- An Update on Lake Issues – DEC Lakes and Ponds Manager, Jenny Austin
- Fundamentals of River Science – DEC River Scientist, Staci Pomeroy
- Headwater Protection to Improve Lake Health – DEC Lakes Scientist, Kellie Merrell
- Evaluating Habitat Function in Floodplain Natural Communities to Inform Restoration and Conservation Prioritization – UVM Research Assistant Professor, Elizabeth Doran
- Seed Saving for Floodplain Restoration – Northwoods Stewardship Center, Riparian Lands Program Assistant, Jake Gallinger
- Water Quality Impacts of De-icing Salt in Lake Champlain and Its Tributaries – Lead Scientist, Lake Champlain Basin Program, Matthew Vaughan
- Role of Beavers in Restoring Watersheds – Furbearer Program, VT Fish & Wildlife, Tyler Brown
- Role of Strategic Wood Placement – Trout Unlimited, Erin Rodgers
- Restoration through Dam Removal and River Reconnection – Vermont Natural Resources Council and Chair of the Vermont Dam Task Force, Karina Dailey
- How Can We Work Together to Protect Lake Tributaries? – Former VT Legislator, VT Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board, Trout Unlimited District Board, David Deen
Collected presentations are available here.
The meeting was recorded and can be viewed on YouTube.
