Spring tree plantings
April 25, 2011
As part of our Trees for Streams Program, the WRP planted 3,000 native trees along the White River in 5 locations this spring with students and community volunteers. Visit our Facebook page to see pictures of WRP tree planting volunteers in action!
About streamside vegetation
Although 84{db44c3d5e5b2521111bb9179cb40e40c4d2777ab57a0c9e12ea819349259de2f} of the White River watershed is forested today, much of the land adjacent to streams and rivers has actually been deforested over the past 200 years to accommodate the development of roads and railways, housing, and farms. The loss of streamside trees and shrubs – also called riparian buffers – has resulted in lasting ecological and economical impacts throughout the White River watershed. Healthy, well-vegetated riparian buffers are essential to good water quality and aquatic habitat.
Riparian buffers filter pollutants from run-off, reduce erosion, provide shade to keep water temperatures cool for fish, ward off non-native invasive plant species, and create corridors for wildlife. Buffers also serve as the first line of defense against flood events and can safeguard property from erosion. The re-establishment of buffers through planting trees is one of the most effective and efficient ways to improve water quality, reduce erosion and flood damage, and maintain healthy fisheries in our watershed.
2011 student plantings
Every year hundreds of students plant trees along the White River as a hands-on component of their science classes. Students from five watershed schools are planting over 1,500 native trees this year:
~ Friday, April 22: 500 trees in Sharon village with Vermont Technical College students
~ Monday, April 25: 150 trees at Fat Rooster Farm with Braintree Elementary School students
~ Friday, April 29: 750 trees in South Royalton village with South Royalton School students
~ Tuesday, May 3: 50 trees in Brookfield with Vermont Technical Career Center students
~ Thursday, May 5: 150 trees in Stockbridge with Bethel Elementary School students
Join us!
Community volunteers are invited to join us at two plantings in 2011:
~ Saturday, April 30: 1,000 trees at Fat Rooster Farm (354 Morse Rd, Royalton) from 9-11am.
~ Saturday, May 14: 400 trees at Timberhawk Meadows (VT Rte 100 N between Rte 107 and the White River bridge, Stockbridge) from 9am-12pm.
Both plantings are to the public; gloves, shovels, and light refreshments will be provided.
For more information
Contact us or visit our Volunteer FAQs page.
News
Posted: April 25, 2011 by wrp_admin
Spring tree plantings
Spring tree plantings
April 25, 2011
As part of our Trees for Streams Program, the WRP planted 3,000 native trees along the White River in 5 locations this spring with students and community volunteers. Visit our Facebook page to see pictures of WRP tree planting volunteers in action!
About streamside vegetation
Although 84{db44c3d5e5b2521111bb9179cb40e40c4d2777ab57a0c9e12ea819349259de2f} of the White River watershed is forested today, much of the land adjacent to streams and rivers has actually been deforested over the past 200 years to accommodate the development of roads and railways, housing, and farms. The loss of streamside trees and shrubs – also called riparian buffers – has resulted in lasting ecological and economical impacts throughout the White River watershed. Healthy, well-vegetated riparian buffers are essential to good water quality and aquatic habitat.
Riparian buffers filter pollutants from run-off, reduce erosion, provide shade to keep water temperatures cool for fish, ward off non-native invasive plant species, and create corridors for wildlife. Buffers also serve as the first line of defense against flood events and can safeguard property from erosion. The re-establishment of buffers through planting trees is one of the most effective and efficient ways to improve water quality, reduce erosion and flood damage, and maintain healthy fisheries in our watershed.
2011 student plantings
Every year hundreds of students plant trees along the White River as a hands-on component of their science classes. Students from five watershed schools are planting over 1,500 native trees this year:
~ Friday, April 22: 500 trees in Sharon village with Vermont Technical College students
~ Monday, April 25: 150 trees at Fat Rooster Farm with Braintree Elementary School students
~ Friday, April 29: 750 trees in South Royalton village with South Royalton School students
~ Tuesday, May 3: 50 trees in Brookfield with Vermont Technical Career Center students
~ Thursday, May 5: 150 trees in Stockbridge with Bethel Elementary School students
Join us!
Community volunteers are invited to join us at two plantings in 2011:
~ Saturday, April 30: 1,000 trees at Fat Rooster Farm (354 Morse Rd, Royalton) from 9-11am.
~ Saturday, May 14: 400 trees at Timberhawk Meadows (VT Rte 100 N between Rte 107 and the White River bridge, Stockbridge) from 9am-12pm.
Both plantings are to the public; gloves, shovels, and light refreshments will be provided.
For more information
Contact us or visit our Volunteer FAQs page.
Posted: March 28, 2011 by wrp_admin
April events
April events
March 28, 2011
The White River Partnership, Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and Hanover Outdoors announce 4 spring events to improve the long-term health of the White River:
Didymo alert!
A ban on using felt-soled waders and boots in Vermont waters was enacted by the Vermont legislature to help curb the spread of aquatic invasive species in Vermont rivers. Felt soled waders can contribute to the spread of invasive species such as whirling disease in fish and didymo, a non-native alga commonly referred to as “rock snot.”
The ban, which becomes effective April 1, 2011, is designed to slow or stop the spread of these and other aquatic invasive species to new locations in Vermont.
Gear swap
Turn-in your felt-soled boots and waders at Hanover Outdoors from April 1 – 9, and get a 25{db44c3d5e5b2521111bb9179cb40e40c4d2777ab57a0c9e12ea819349259de2f} discount on new gear!
Willow harvest
Join us on Saturday, April 9, from 10am – 12pm to harvest native willow shrubs in Rochester: from the intersection of Route 100 and 73, turn onto Route 73 west; drive 1.5 miles, past Maple Hill Road on the right; continue on Route 73 another 0.3 miles; drive over a bridge across the West Branch of the White River; then turn into a parking area immediately on the right. We will meet at the parking area at 10am, then walk to the willow site. Live willow stakes can be pounded into moist soils to quickly revegetate an exposed river bank. The White River Partnership will be planting 2,500 live willow stakes to restore 4 riparian buffer sites in Royalton, Sharon and Stockbridge. Bring loppers if you have them. We have gloves and some loppers to share, and will provide light refreshments.
Plant a tree
Join us on Saturday, April 30 from 9 – 11am to improve fish and wildlife habitat at Fat Rooster Farm (354 Morse Road, Royalton) by planting a 50-foot buffer of native trees and shrubs along the Second Branch of the White River. Gloves, shovels, and light snacks will be provided. Rain date: Sunday, May 1, 9 – 11am.
For more information
Contact us with questions or to RSVP!
Posted: March 21, 2011 by wrp_admin
Summer Internship announcement
Summer Internship announcement
March 21, 2011
The White River Partnership (WRP) is seeking a part-time, unpaid summer intern.
Overview
The ideal intern will possess strong communication skills, experience working with volunteers, the ability to work independently, and an interest in field data collection. This internship is an opportunity for a student to gain valuable training and experience in watershed assessment and monitoring while working with a grassroots nonprofit organization.
The WRP Watershed Assessment Intern will work with WRP staff and community volunteers to coordinate our citizen-based Water Quality Monitoring Program and to monitor restoration project sites throughout the White River watershed in central Vermont. The intern may be asked to assist with other field and office work as needed.
Location
The WRP office is located in Royalton, Vermont. The intern will work from the office and independently in the field throughout the White River watershed.
Work schedule and duration
The internship begins in mid-May 2010 and runs through the last week of August 2010. The intern is expected to work an average of 24 hours per week (usually Tuesday through Thursday) with occasional evening and/or weekend hours.
Primary duties and responsibilities
1. Train and/or distribute monitoring equipment and supplies to water quality monitoring volunteers in late-May.
2. Coordinate E. coli sample collection with volunteers and local businesses bi-weekly, from June through August. Process E. coli samples and enter data in WRP database. Share weekly E. coli results with monitoring volunteers, local towns, and the general public.
3. Gain permission to access approximately 20 restoration project sites. Collect project evaluation data, enter data in WRP database, and prepare data summaries.
4. Draft press release and newsletter article at end of season.
5. Assist with other field and office work as needed.
Qualifications
1. Interest in working for a small nonprofit organization;
2. Interest in watershed restoration and environmental stewardship;
3. Highly motivated, prompt and reliable;
4. Organized and able to work both independently and as part of a team;
5. Excellent communication skills;
6. Experience working with volunteers;
7. Knowledge of field data collection helpful;
8. Ability to use MSWord, email and Internet required;
9. Ability to use MSExcel and ArcView helpful; and
10. Reliable transportation and possession of valid driver’s license.
Compensation:
The internship is unpaid, but the intern will be compensated for work-related travel ($0.51/mile). Work-study match may be available.
To Apply
Please email your cover letter and resume as MSWord or pdf attachments by Friday, April 1 to Mary Russ, Executive Director, White River Partnership, PO Box 705, S. Royalton, VT 05068.