Three things: important progress on many priority policies for a clean, healthy environment, the results of our 2023 Membership & Activist Survey, and an invitation to join us for a tree planting at the Pelletier Dam Site!
Stay informed, connected, and engaged—three things.
Many Key VNRC Policies are Advancing in the State House
The Vermont Legislature has been busy moving many key climate and environmental protection policies forward, and VNRC has been working alongside many coalition partners to support improvements to our priority bills as we approach the final weeks of this legislative session. Here are a few big updates:
- H.126, an act relating to community resilience and biodiversity protection, which aims to conserve 30% of Vermont’s land by 2030, and 50% by 2050, passed out of a key Senate committee last week with a 5-0 vote and will soon be on the Senate floor. VNRC testified and worked hard to build support for the bill while it was in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Energy, and look forward to helping move it across the finish line. Learn more about H.126 here, and then call your Senators and ask them to support H.126!
- H.31, an act relating to aquatic nuisance control, which would place a moratorium on the use of pesticides in Vermont waters, is under consideration by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy after having been passed by the House. VNRC’s Jon Groveman testified this week on the importance of this policy. Learn more about all of our priority bills for clean water this session here.
- S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, passed the House of Representatives on a 98-46 vote. Key improvements were made in the House around how the program in the bill can more equitably deliver cleaner, more affordable energy to all Vermonters. The bill now heads back to the Senate for concurrence or further action, before it lands on to Governor Scott’s desk. Learn more in ourClimate Dispatch with Rep. Laura Sibilia from last week.
The Results Are In! VNRC’s 2023 Membership & Activist Survey
We asked and you answered! VNRC’s 2023 Membership and Activist Survey results are in. Thank you to everyone who participated. Your input is so critical to inform the work we’re doing – your responses outlined your priorities, thoughts on our work, and how we can better advocate for Vermont’s natural resources in Montpelier and beyond. Find a summary of the results of the Membership and Activist Survey here.
Join us for a Spring Tree Planting in Castleton on Thursday, May 11th
Photo is of Pelletier Dam site after removal. Photo credit: Karina Dailey, Vermont Natural Resources Council.
Since the dam was removed in the fall of 2022, the Pelletier site has been adjusting to its newfound freedom! Tree plantings are a big part of restoring the site post construction, and we need help! VNRC is organizing a tree planting on May 11, 2023 from 10am-2pm at the Pelletier site, and welcomes anyone to come visit and plant trees! The dam is located directly across the street from Green Mountain Soapstone (680 East Hubbardton Rd, Castleton). Please park at this address, as there is limited parking at the Dam site. Please bring your own shovel, gloves, water, and waterproof boots for crossing the stream. Reach out to Mary Perchlik atmperchlik@vnrc.org to RSVP, or for more information.