Current News

VermontBiz Every year, beginning on June 1st, bears, bobcats, foxes, and other wildlife are pursued by packs of hounds, potentially over miles of land, during Vermont's hound "training" season. Since this is also the time of year when wildlife is tending to their young, this "training" may lead to orphaned animals, as well as vulnerable wildlife suffering serious injuries or even death during these pursuits.

VermontBiz Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools has released Learning Locally, Transforming Globally, a free guide for educators that lays out a step-by-step process for shifting schools and communities toward sustainability. As the school year comes to an end, many teachers will be turning their attention to professional development opportunities in preparation for the coming school year. This resource offers a host of resources and ideas for educators interested in a sustainability approach to their teaching.

VermontBiz The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) purchased the 15-acre island in Brighton’s Island Pond and a three-acre lakeshore parcel with support from the Vermont Land Trust (VLT), the two organizations announced today. The land is now under FPR management as part of Brighton State Park, which abuts the southern and eastern shores of Island Pond. It is also protected by a conservation easement co-held by VLT and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) that permanently protects public access and natural resources.

VermontBiz Botanists with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department have rediscovered a population of false mermaid-weed (Floerkea proserpinacoides)—not seen in Vermont since 1916 and believed to be locally extinct—along a stream in Addison County.

“We’ve been searching for this plant for years,” said Grace Glynn, Botanist at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.  “We knew of two original sites where false mermaid-weed existed in the 1800s and early 1900s but is absent today.  We think the species was lost from those sites perhaps due to development, invasive species, or extreme flood events.  So, we’re thrilled to know that false mermaid-weed has persisted along a separate stream all this time.”

VermontBiz Bobolinks, Savannah sparrows and eastern meadowlarks enrich our summers with their songs, but their populations continue to suffer long-term declines due to the loss in quantity and quality of their grassland habitat.

“These species continue to experience long-term population declines across the continent, and on Vermont’s grasslands, especially in large fields and in open landscapes, there are opportunities to help,” said Rosalind Renfrew, biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

VermontBiz The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says many people are having problems with bears looking for food near their homes, and with the food scrap ban in effect the department is providing tips for people who are composting at home so they can avoid attracting hungry bears. 

“We have been receiving lots of reports of bears on decks, tearing down bird feeders, wrecking beehives, killing chickens, and getting into trash, compost and garbage containers,” said bear biologist Jaclyn Comeau.  “We are offering some guidance on how to compost at home without attracting bears.”

VermontBiz Governor Phil Scott and Interim Education Secretary Zoie Saunders today announced the recipients of this year’s afterschool grant awards. This $3.5 million grant program was established to expand and create new afterschool and summer programs statewide. Eligible recipients included Vermont school systems, community-based organizations, and municipal and non-profit organizations.

VermontBiz Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) announced stand-up comedian Tina Friml is the keynote speaker of this year’s annual Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference. Friml is a Vermont-born standup comedian who uses animated optimism to talk about living with cerebral palsy. The one-day-only conference, which will also feature remarks from Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Senator Welch, will be held in Randolph on June 8th. Registration for this free event is open now.  

VermontBiz Governor Phil Scott announced action on the following bills, passed by the General Assembly.

On May 29, Governor Scott signed bills of the following titles:

• H.862, An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Barre
• H.869, An act relating to approval of the merger of Brandon Fire District No. 1 and Brandon Fire District No. 2
• H.872, An act relating to miscellaneous updates to the powers of the Vermont Criminal Justice Council and the duties of law enforcement officers
• H.881, An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington
• H.885, An act relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the Town of Berlin
• H.888, An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the Town of Hartford
• S.58, An act relating to public safety
• S.114, An act relating to the establishment of the Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group

VermontBiz The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) announces 51 awards to working lands businesses and organizations in 2024.  The $2,329,561 in awards will support those who are earning a living off the land.

“The challenges the farm and forest economy sectors face are significant, which is why my Administration continues to prioritize investments in the rural regions of our state,” said Governor Phil Scott. “These awards are important to growing our economy and making it more affordable for those working the land.”

VermontBiz The Wilson House shattered the organization’s event fundraising record on Wednesday, May 22nd during the 5th annual Wilson House Cup held at the Dorset Field Club. The event netted $50,000 in support of its general fund. 

“We are so grateful to our sponsors and all the participants who made this a day for our record books,” said Kim Norman, Wilson House Executive Director. “We exist thanks to the generosity of benefactors, small and large, that understand how important it is to sustain the Wilson House as a destination for people in recovery. Our programming as well as the upkeep and repair of this 172 year-old building is costly.”

VermontBiz Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The rebates will help selectees purchase 18 clean school buses in six school districts across Vermont. The Clean School Bus Program will help Vermont accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and replace older, diesel-fueled school buses, which have been linked to asthma and other conditions that harm the health of students and surrounding communities.