October 1-31: Shaw’s Give Back Where It Counts fundraiser
In October, $1 for every “Give Back Where It Counts” reusable bag sold at Randolph Shaw’s will be donated to the White River Partnership. Reusable bags cost $3/each.
Thank you to Shaw’s for choosing to support the WRP this month!
October 31: White River Basin Plan public comments due
We invite you to learn more about and provide comments on clean water project priorities in the White River valley.
Every 5 years, the state updates the White River Tactical Basin Plan. The Basin Plan is a document that identifies water quality issues and potential solutions throughout the White River valley.
The current Basin Plan expires this year, so work has started to plan for the next 5 years. Find the White River Draft Tactical Basin Plan here and review the summary White River Draft Plan Story Map here.
Got feedback? Submit comments by Thursday, October 31 to keith.fritschie@vermont.gov or to Keith Fritschie, VT DEC, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05620.
THANK YOU: September 8th cleanup sweeps the White River
Thank you to the volunteers who helped us remove trash in and along the White River on Sunday, September 8. Volunteers collected trash from Bethel to West Hartford, filling an 8-yard dumpster in the process…plus 50 tires on the side!
Immediately following the cleanup, 45 WRP members and volunteers joined us for a cookout to celebrate our collective work to improve the health of the White River in 2024. And we honored the Woodstock Inn & Resort Fly Fishing program as our 2024 Outstanding Watershed Partner for their many contributions to over the years!
Work continues to wrap-up the 2024 field season. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for more information.
Stay posted: WRP e-newsletter
The WRP distributes a regular electronic newsletter to share information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, project updates, and more. We invite you to sign-up to receive our e-newsletter by completing the form on the right-hand side of this webpage.
Stay posted: WRP social media
The WRP posts information about on-the-ground watershed improvement projects, events, and volunteer opportunities on Facebook and Instagram. We invite you to “Like” or “Follow” us in order to stay posted on our work to improve the long-term health of the White River and its watershed.
Support us: Get involved
The WRP depends on volunteers and stewards to accomplish much of our important work. Follow this link to learn more about opportunities to get involved and to help improve the health of the White River!
Support us: Make a donation
The WRP depends on contributions of time and money to support our on-the-ground work to improve the White River. Please support our good work by making a donation today!
Select the “Donate” button on the right-hand side of this page to donate via credit card or PayPal.
Or print and return our WRP Membership Form with a check.
Contact us: For more information
Please contact us for more information about our projects, upcoming events, or other ways to get involved!
News
Posted: August 13, 2024 by wrp_admin
2024 Freshwater Snorkeling education program
The US Forest Service and White River Partnership are pleased to host our Freshwater Snorkeling school education program again this fall.
Here are the program highlights:
WHEN: Weekdays, September 9-20, from approximately 9am-2pm; program is weather-dependent
WHO: up to 50 students/day, grades 4-6, from White River valley schools (see White River valley map here)
WHERE: West Branch Restoration Site on the Green Mountain National Forest (2924 Brandon Mountain Road, Rochester, VT)
WHAT: explore the impact of land use on water quality and biodiversity through hands-on snorkeling and waterbug collection activities; utilize the accompanying curriculum before or after the event (optional)
HOW: all participants must sign a waiver and photo permission form; equipment provided to snorkel and to collect waterbugs; porta-potties and changing tents available; dress to get wet and bring your own lunch, towel, and change of clothes
Interested in participating?
Please contact WRP Watershed Scientist Dan ‘rudi’ Ruddell for more information: rudiATwhiteriverpartnership.org
Posted: October 25, 2024 by wrp_admin
2024 Trout in the Classroom education program
NEWS
The 2024 TIC Annual Workshop will be held at VINS on Saturday, November 2, 2024. To RSVP, visit this link.
The WRP is collecting information from returning White River valley TIC schools about ordering annual TIC supplies. If you are interested in having the WRP order/deliver your annual TIC supplies and invoice your school, please complete this form by Friday, November 15, 2024.
About TIC in the White River valley
The Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GUVTU) and White River Partnership (WRP) work together to coordinate Trout in the Classroom with interested White River valley schools each year (see White River valley map here).
Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is an environmental education program in which students raise brook trout from eggs before releasing them in a state-approved stream.
The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is the lead facilitator of the TIC program in Vermont, coordinating an in-person TIC Annual Workshop and ongoing programmatic support throughout the year.
TIC calendar
The TIC program runs annually from November through June. Key dates include:
Follow this link for the full TIC calendar.
White River valley TIC liaison
The WRP Watershed Scientist Dan ‘rudi’ Ruddell serves as the primary TIC liaison for participating teachers in White River valley schools. Roles include:
Please contact Dan ‘rudi’ Ruddell for more information: rudiATwhiteriverpartnership.org
TIC equipment & supplies
The TIC equipment (tank, chiller, filter, etc) will be part of a Lending Library managed by the WRP and can remain at the school as long as the school intends to participate.
We ask that each participating White River valley school commits to providing annual funding support – approximately $100/year – to cover the cost of TIC supplies (see TIC supplies list here).
For returning schools, the WRP will purchase the annual TIC supplies on your behalf and deliver the supplies along with an invoice. Please complete this form by Friday, November 15, 2024 to indicate your interest in this service.
Interested in learning more?
TIC is a national program – visit the Trout Unlimited TIC website to learn more!
Posted: October 25, 2024 by wrp_admin
Upcoming events
October 1-31: Shaw’s Give Back Where It Counts fundraiser
In October, $1 for every “Give Back Where It Counts” reusable bag sold at Randolph Shaw’s will be donated to the White River Partnership. Reusable bags cost $3/each.
Thank you to Shaw’s for choosing to support the WRP this month!
October 31: White River Basin Plan public comments due
We invite you to learn more about and provide comments on clean water project priorities in the White River valley.
Every 5 years, the state updates the White River Tactical Basin Plan. The Basin Plan is a document that identifies water quality issues and potential solutions throughout the White River valley.
The current Basin Plan expires this year, so work has started to plan for the next 5 years. Find the White River Draft Tactical Basin Plan here and review the summary White River Draft Plan Story Map here.
Got feedback? Submit comments by Thursday, October 31 to keith.fritschie@vermont.gov or to Keith Fritschie, VT DEC, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05620.
THANK YOU: September 8th cleanup sweeps the White River
Thank you to the volunteers who helped us remove trash in and along the White River on Sunday, September 8. Volunteers collected trash from Bethel to West Hartford, filling an 8-yard dumpster in the process…plus 50 tires on the side!
Immediately following the cleanup, 45 WRP members and volunteers joined us for a cookout to celebrate our collective work to improve the health of the White River in 2024. And we honored the Woodstock Inn & Resort Fly Fishing program as our 2024 Outstanding Watershed Partner for their many contributions to over the years!
Work continues to wrap-up the 2024 field season. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for more information.
Stay posted: WRP e-newsletter
The WRP distributes a regular electronic newsletter to share information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, project updates, and more. We invite you to sign-up to receive our e-newsletter by completing the form on the right-hand side of this webpage.
Stay posted: WRP social media
The WRP posts information about on-the-ground watershed improvement projects, events, and volunteer opportunities on Facebook and Instagram. We invite you to “Like” or “Follow” us in order to stay posted on our work to improve the long-term health of the White River and its watershed.
Support us: Get involved
The WRP depends on volunteers and stewards to accomplish much of our important work. Follow this link to learn more about opportunities to get involved and to help improve the health of the White River!
Support us: Make a donation
The WRP depends on contributions of time and money to support our on-the-ground work to improve the White River. Please support our good work by making a donation today!
Select the “Donate” button on the right-hand side of this page to donate via credit card or PayPal.
Or print and return our WRP Membership Form with a check.
Contact us: For more information
Please contact us for more information about our projects, upcoming events, or other ways to get involved!
Posted: August 23, 2024 by wrp_admin
Cast your vote 2024
We invite current WRP Members to cast their vote for 2 open Board seats by Sunday, September 8 at noon.
Step 1: Read the 2024 Board candidate bios below
Joan Allen – The White River watershed has been my home for 25 years, first in Chelsea, where I was a tree planting volunteer, participated in stream assessments, and was a member of the First Branch Stream team. Since 2009, I’ve lived in South Randolph, near the Second Branch. I joined the WRP Board 13 years ago and currently serve as President and volunteer water quality monitor. For over 30 years, my passion and (second) career has been the protection of Vermont’s natural resources, specializing in wildlife habitat and natural communities’ conservation with Vermont Land Trust and the VT Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and presently as an independent consultant with TNC and the VT Department of Fish and Wildlife. Other pursuits choral singing, dance, being a citizen scientist, and managing the family homestead with my husband. It gives me great pleasure to be involved with WRP, where stewardship of the land and its waters come together where I live.
Emily Miller – I grew up in the Mad River watershed, but have now lived in the Camp Brook watershed in Bethel with my husband and children for almost 20 years. I have been a science teacher in Bethel for 9 years and currently teach grades 6-8 at the White River Valley Middle School. I love to use the river and watershed vocabulary whenever possible, and my students and I have particularly enjoyed raising brook trout with Trout in the Classroom for many years now. Prior to teaching, I worked for the White River Partnership, assisting with the coordination of education and tree planting programs, water quality and project monitoring and learning a ton. I was also focused on water throughout my undergraduate and graduate studies, and have a Master of Science in Water Resources from UVM. In my free time I love to get outside! I cross-country ski, bike, run, garden, chase the dog and watch my kids in various sporting events.
Step 2: Then follow this link to cast your vote via a Monday.com form.
If you have any questions, please contact Mary Russ: mary[at]whiteriverpartnership.org.