Two things: There are two informative webinars this week, and we’re celebrating a victory for Vermont wetlands! Plus a bonus: introducing VNRC’s newest legislative intern, Kerry Brosnan.
Stay informed, stay connected—two things.
Celebrating a Victory for Vermont Wetlands
Last week, the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) approved the passing of 22-P24, the Agency of Natural Resources/Vermont Wetland Rules!
VNRC’s Restoration Ecologist Karina Dailey testified in front of LCAR on January 19th in support of ANR’s Wetland Rules updates, whose purpose is to improve the Vermont’s wetland mapping to better identify, protect, and avoid unintentional impact to state wetlands, and in turn, provide Vermonters with more information to anticipate what permits are required for a project, while simultaneously providing more regulatory certainty for – and better protection of – wetlands. The wetland mapping updates will advance our statewide understanding as to the location, shape, and composition of wetlands, and their connectivity to other surface water features (including lakes, streams, and floodplains).
In the face of climate change we need to invest in land management practices that improve flood resilience and provide clean water to communities. The Vermont Climate Action Plan emphasizes the important role wetlands play as sponge for floods, filter for pollutants, and biodiversity hot spots in a rapidly changing planet, and we need to amplify the importance of protecting intact wetlands, floodplains, and rivers systems for a healthy Vermont. We are grateful to our partners for supporting this important work!
Two Webinars This Week: Community-Led Resilience Hubs, & the Affordable Heat Act
Rural and energy-burdened areas often experience a “resilience divide” due to characteristics like low population density and a population that is inadequately included, valued, or compensated. Join the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN) on Wednesday, February 1st at 12:00 noon to learn about Community-Led Resilience Hubs in Vermont. For more info and to register, click HERE.
And, on Friday February 3rd at 12:00 noon, join us and coalition partners for a webinar on the Affordable Heat Act. We’ll share a brief, 10-minute overview of the core components of the policy; what it is intended to deliver and by when; and how it aims to meet essential goals regarding equity, affordability and climate accountability – all while we help Vermonters afford and access cleaner heat measures as we accelerate an essential, just energy transition. Followed by ~45 minutes of Q&A. For more info and to register, click HERE.
Introducing Kerry Brosnan, VNRC’s Legislative Intern
Kerry Brosnan has joined VNRC as the 2023 Legislative Intern. During her time with VNRC she will monitor relevant State House hearings and track the movements of, and changes made to, specific bills. Recently, Kerry served as an AmeriCorps Conservation Steward at North Branch Nature Center where she coordinated and led habitat restoration volunteer groups and tree planting events. She is particularly interested in the intersection between wildlife conservation and agriculture, leading her to research wildlife management strategies with a local town forest and working on farms during her undergrad. Kerry received her B.S. in Natural Resources at the University of Vermont in 2021, loves birding, and lives in Burlington. She looks forward to learning more about environmental and climate policy in Vermont. Welcome, Kerry!