World Water Day is a United Nations observance focusing on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of water resources.
To celebrate, we’re highlighting a few of Vermont’s water champions!
Lay Monitors: Vermont Department of Conservation’s (VTDEC’s) Lay Monitoring Program is a statewide, volunteer lake monitoring program that has sampled more than 100 inland lakes and 40 stations on Lake Champlain since 1979. These volunteers are trained by DEC staff to follow a strict protocol to measure their lake’s water transparency and to collect water samples which are tested for the nutrient phosphorus and chlorophyll which is an indicator of algae. The data are then used to determine the water quality of each lake. For more information on volunteering, email Mark.Mitchell@partner.vermont.gov or call (802) 490-6126.
Volunteer Cyanobacteria Monitors: Numerous volunteers are trained each summer to take visual observations which they report to VTDEC. The volunteers’ reports contribute to an understanding of how common blooms are in different locations and to better compare bloom severity across years. Click here to join this large group of volunteers.
Vermont Invasive Patrollers: Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIPs) are volunteers who monitor water bodies for new introductions of plant and animal invasive species and report their findings to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Generally, each lake organizes its own crew of volunteers who are trained by VTDEC scientists. However some VIP’s monitor multiple lakes. To join these volunteers contact Lizzy Gallagher at elizabeth.gallagher@vermont.gov or (802) 490-6129.
Vermont Public Access Greeter Program: The Greeter programs, which include both volunteer and paid staff, are managed and partially funded by volunteer lake associations and/or municipalities. VTDEC provides training for the greeters along with partial funding through the VT Grant in Aid Fund effort to protect lakes and ponds from the spread of aquatic invasive plants and animals. Both volunteer and paid staff are trained each year to educate visitors on the importance to clean, drain and dry all watercraft while also inspecting every boat, trailer and associated equipment for aquatic invasive plants and animals which are primarily spread among lakes when attached to the watercraft, trailer and other equipment. To get involved in your local greeter program, contact your local lake association.
We’re grateful to all of the volunteers who help preserve and protect Vermont’s lakes and ponds for this and future generations!
Greeter Program at Lake Bomoseen inspecting a boat from New Jersey. Photo credit: D. Miuccio
