This fall, we’ll be joining the Town of Hardwick in inviting residents, landowners, students, and anyone curious about our changing environment to take part in a new community conversation series exploring the intersection of water, wildlife, and climate in Vermont’s rural landscapes.
“Ripple Effects: Watershed Forum – Conversations on Water, Wildlife & Climate” will take place Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Jeudevine Memorial Library, running through September and October 1, 2025. The series will feature weekly presentations followed by open community Q&A sessions. Light refreshments will be provided.
Fall 2025 Schedule:
∙ September 3: Dredging Rivers
Roy Schiff (SLR International) & Shayne Jaquith (The Nature Conservancy)
∙ September 10: Beavers & Natural Infrastructure
Tyler Brown (VT Fish & Wildlife), Meg Carter (NorthWoods Stewardship Center) & Erin Rodgers (Trout Unlimited)
∙ September 24: Dam Removal & Rivers
Karina Dailey (VT Natural Resources Council) & Kassia Randzio (VT River Conservancy) ∙ October 1: Climatology & the Future of Vermont’s Watersheds
Dr. Lesley-Ann L. Dupigny-Giroux (UVM, VT State Climatologist)
From upstream forests to downtown floodplains, this series invites the public to reflect on how our watersheds are shifting and how we can work together to build a more resilient future.
“Everyone lives in a watershed,” said Kristen Leahy, Hardwick’s Resilience & Adaptation Coordinator. “Whether you’ve lived on this land for generations or are just starting to understand your connection to it, this series is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and help shape the choices we make going forward.”
This initiative is hosted by the Town of Hardwick in collaboration with Sea Grant Lake Champlain, Caledonia County Natural Resources Conservation District, NVDA, and the VT Department of Environmental Conservation, River Corridor & Floodplain Protection Team.
All are welcome. No registration required. For more information, contact Kristen Leahy, Resilience & Adaptation Coordinator at (802) 472-1686 or zoning.administrator@hardwickvt.gov.