Hurricane Flats Farm project complete
September 08, 2013
The White River Partnership (WRP) completed an innovative riverbank restoration project at Hurricane Flats Farm in South Royalton last week. 40 people attended a project tour on Sunday, September 8 to learn more about this innovative restoration project and to attend a picnic hosted by the farm to raise money for future WRP projects.
The 37-acre Hurricane Flats organic vegetable farm suffered severe damages during Tropical Storm Irene. Flood waters ruined crops; damaged greenhouses, irrigation systems, and farm equipment; deposited thousands of yards of sand in the fields; and eroded away several drainage ditches and two 150-foot holes in the riverbank.
According to WRP Executive Director Mary Russ, “This week’s project will complete work started in 2012 to restore 300-feet of eroding bank along the main stem of the White River. Our goal is to restore the riverbank using natural materials found on-site while improving water quality, habitat, and flood resiliency.”
Instead of using large rock to stabilize the riverbank, the WRP and its partners buried sections of whole trees with the roots attached. Once in place at the bottom of the bank, the exposed roots deflect water and debris away from the bank while creating habitat for fish.
To protect the bank above the exposed roots, the WRP and its partners installed coconut fabric filled with compacted soil held in place with native willow stakes harvested on-site. The native willow stakes will send out roots that will hold the soil in place once the coconut fabric decomposes.
Next spring, the WRP will recruit students and community volunteers to plant native trees and shrubs at the top of the bank. Along with the grasses that grow up around them, these trees and shrubs will filter nutrients out of water flowing across the farm fields, improving water quality in the White River.
To design, permit, implement, and fund the project, the WRP has convened a diverse group of partners, including the US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Clean Water Future donors, Vermont Watershed Grant, and local contractor Ben Canonica.
For more information
2012-2013_Hurricane_Flats_Farm_project
Valley_News_article_090613
News
Posted: April 21, 2014 by wrp_admin
Sponsor Trees for Streams program
The WRP invites YOU to help us improve water quality and educate local students about the White River by sponsoring our spring Trees for Streams education programs and planting events with watershed schools. Since 2000 the WRP Trees for Streams Program has engaged more than 100 landowners and 250 annual volunteers to plant over 40,000 native trees along the White River and its tributaries.
Sponsorship info
Please consider making a donation to help us reach our $3,000 fundraising goal by May 15. You can either mail a check to White River Partnership, PO Box 705, S. Royalton, VT 05068 or donate online.
We welcome donations in any amount, but the following giving levels include rewards:
Project background
Native trees growing along the White River provide many benefits, including filtering pollution out of runoff; providing food and cover for fish and wildlife; stabilizing streambanks; and slowing flood waters. In 2014 the WRP is working with 12 local schools to plant over 5,500 native trees along the White River in Hartford, Royalton, Stockbridge, and Rochester:
Before each planting event, the WRP will give classroom presentations about why planting trees improves river health and how the WRP works with voluntary landowners to develop planting projects that balance economic and environmental concerns.
For more information
Contact us!
Posted: April 21, 2014 by wrp_admin
2014 flood recovery grants
The White River Partnership (WRP) has received two state grants to implement flood recovery projects that improve water quality, fish & wildlife habitat, and public access as well as engage community members in hands-on stewardship activities in 2014.
Vermont Ecosystem Restoration Program
Vermont’s Ecosystem Restoration Program (ERP) takes action to accelerate the reduction of sediment and nutrient pollution from uncontrolled runoff into our streams, rivers, ponds, wetlands, and lakes. The WRP will use ERP funds to conduct an intensive physical assessment of the White River in Stockbridge and major tributaries in Hancock, Rochester, Stockbridge, and Barnard and to develop a River Corridor Management Plan that identifies on-the-ground projects to improve river health and flood resiliency.
Vermont Watershed Grant
Vermont Watershed Grant (VWG) funds are granted to support on-the-ground projects that protect or restore water quality and shorelines, enhance recreational use, and educate people about watershed resources. The WRP will use VWG funds to implement Irene recovery projects with volunteers, including planting 2,500 native trees and shrubs along the river; enhancing fish passage through the first culvert on Marsh Brook in Rochester; and improving recreational access at FEMA buyout properties and public access sites damaged during Irene.
We want to thank ERP and VWG for their generous support of our 2014 flood recovery projects!
Posted: September 8, 2013 by wrp_admin
Hurricane Flats Farm project complete
Hurricane Flats Farm project complete
September 08, 2013
The White River Partnership (WRP) completed an innovative riverbank restoration project at Hurricane Flats Farm in South Royalton last week. 40 people attended a project tour on Sunday, September 8 to learn more about this innovative restoration project and to attend a picnic hosted by the farm to raise money for future WRP projects.
The 37-acre Hurricane Flats organic vegetable farm suffered severe damages during Tropical Storm Irene. Flood waters ruined crops; damaged greenhouses, irrigation systems, and farm equipment; deposited thousands of yards of sand in the fields; and eroded away several drainage ditches and two 150-foot holes in the riverbank.
According to WRP Executive Director Mary Russ, “This week’s project will complete work started in 2012 to restore 300-feet of eroding bank along the main stem of the White River. Our goal is to restore the riverbank using natural materials found on-site while improving water quality, habitat, and flood resiliency.”
Instead of using large rock to stabilize the riverbank, the WRP and its partners buried sections of whole trees with the roots attached. Once in place at the bottom of the bank, the exposed roots deflect water and debris away from the bank while creating habitat for fish.
To protect the bank above the exposed roots, the WRP and its partners installed coconut fabric filled with compacted soil held in place with native willow stakes harvested on-site. The native willow stakes will send out roots that will hold the soil in place once the coconut fabric decomposes.
Next spring, the WRP will recruit students and community volunteers to plant native trees and shrubs at the top of the bank. Along with the grasses that grow up around them, these trees and shrubs will filter nutrients out of water flowing across the farm fields, improving water quality in the White River.
To design, permit, implement, and fund the project, the WRP has convened a diverse group of partners, including the US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Clean Water Future donors, Vermont Watershed Grant, and local contractor Ben Canonica.
For more information
2012-2013_Hurricane_Flats_Farm_project
Valley_News_article_090613