The Vermont Primary Election is August 9th! You can vote early at your Town Clerk’s office, or vote at your local polling place – or be sure to return your ballot soon if you already requested a mail-in ballot! To find out more about when and where you can vote, check your voter registration, and track your ballot on the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page. Plus, there’s good news on climate, and an invitation to an art opening! (Okay, so that’s four things.)

U.S. Senate Reaches Major—and Surprising—Climate Action Agreement

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Joe Manchin made a surprise announcement last week that brings a much needed sigh of relief — the US Senate has reached an agreement to add the ‘Inflation Reduction Act of 2022’ to the reconciliation bill, which will make major investments in climate action and  – hopefully – reduce carbon emissions by close to 40 percent by 2030. 

Simply put, this is a big deal. Together, we have the power to stand up to Big Oil’s army of lobbyists. We have the power to hold our leaders accountable to protect our communities and finally address climate change. 

We need to keep up the momentum, and get this passed through congress. It’s hope we need now, folks. And hope springs from action.

Click the button below for a summary of the Energy Security and Climate Change Investments in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, and to read our full press release.

Join us for Montpelier’s Art Walk on Friday, August 5

On Friday, August 5, VNRC will host an opening reception for Jill Madden of Weybridge, our Artist in Residence. Madden’s exhibit, “Mapping the Wilderness”, a mixture of oil paintings on linen and gouache paintings on watercolor paper, explores the unique wilderness areas of the Green Mountains. Madden’s exhibit will coincide with the Montpelier Art Walk! Doors will be open to the public from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, and Jill will be onsite to talk about her methods and inspiration.  Additional visiting hours during the work week are posted on our website.

VNRC continues to seek out local artists whose work connects with or complements our mission to protect and enhance our natural environments and wildlife, vibrant communities, productive working landscapes, rural character and unique sense of place. For inquiries or to arrange a visit, contact Alex Connizzo at aconnizzo@vnrc.org.