Montpelier – The Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC) has awarded 2022 Tiny Grants to conservation commissions in the following towns: Bethel, Mt. Holly, Georgia, Monkton, Burlington, and Marshfield.
Tiny Grants is an AVCC initiative that provides seed money or matching funds to conservation commissions for land conservation, education and outreach, stewardship and management, and planning activities. Conservation commissions are non-regulatory bodies designed to advise planning commissions and select boards on natural resources issues.
Grantees will receive between $300 and $600 to improve trails on conserved lands; increase wildlife activity through birdhouse installation; eradicate unwanted, invasive plants; encourage plant and wildlife biodiversity in schools; and educate communities.
“We are thrilled to be able to support Vermont’s grassroots conservation commissions to accomplish projects engaging in the vital work of protecting our dynamic and ever-changing environment,” said Mark Nelson, AVCC board Chair. “Our grants may be ‘tiny’ but they create a large ripple effect.”
Thirteen applications were received and six were approved for funding:
Bethel Conservation Commission: for installation of bluebird houses and the purchase of books, binoculars, and journals for the second season of Bird Camp;
Mt. Holly Conservation Commission: to hold a public outreach/education event regarding nuisance vegetation at the town swimming and boat launch area of Star Lake;
Georgia Conservation Commission: to aid in the expansion of a foot and bike access to Russell Greene Natural Area;
Monkton Conservation Commission: to purchase two uprooter tools to assist with the removal of invasive buckthorn;
Burlington Conservation Commission: to create a native plant garden at the Edmunds Elementary School; and
Marshfield Conservation Commission: to purchase a pair of brush grubbers to pull the stumps of invasive shrubs.
AVCC also proudly supports the work of conservation commissions by hosting an annual summit for community volunteers engaged in planning and caring for Vermont’s natural resources. AVCC will be offering its 2022 summit at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, Vermont on October 15. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Learn more about AVCC and access the Conservation Commission Handbook at http://vtconservation.com/
To stay in the loop about conservation initiatives happening near you, or to share your events with other conservation commissions, subscribe to our listserv by emailing vtconservation+subscribe@googlegroups.com
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