Vermont association retools to better help local conservation commissions

The Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC) will be ramping up activity in 2013 and beyond to increase the value it brings to conservation commissions across Vermont.
For nearly two decades, the non-profit AVCC has supported the growth and success of local conservation commissions, acting as a clearinghouse for information for local conservation resources, publishing a newsletter, maintaining an on-line listerv, and holding an annual meeting. In recent years, AVCC has also administered a grant program for local conservation projects, known as Tiny Grants.
We plan to build on AVCCs positive work and its roots in Vermonts communities and we will continue to enhance the value we offer to conservation commissions, including even better and more timely information sharing, both through people-to-people cross-pollination and through the higher-impact Internet-based communications, said Jake Brown, chair of the AVCC board.
The AVCCs renewed efforts will be extremely helpful for all Conservation Commissions, said Pete Diminico a co-founder of the Bristol Conservation Commission. The renewed effort will improve AVCC networking and our shared passion and experiences, he said.
Michael Lew Smith, a botanist, ecologist and an owner of Arrowwood Environmental, said this: AVCC is the quintessential grassroots environmental organization in the state. By supporting Conservation Commissions, AVCC has a major impact on conservation where it matters most: the local level. Arrowwood, which has supported AVCC for several years, is an ecological services and consulting firm with three offices across Vermont.
Part of the renewed energy stems from a new affiliation between AVCC and the Vermont Natural Resources Council, another 50©(3) non-profit organization. Under amended bylaws, the AVCC board is made up appointees of VNRC as well as elected AVCC members.
Conservation Commissions, which may be appointed by cities and towns, are non-regulatory bodies designed to advise zoning boards, planning commissions, and select boards on natural resources issues. AVCC members are conservation commissions as well as individuals. Membership dues are $50.
Board members of AVCC are: Jake Brown, Jenna Calvi, Karen Freeman, Jens Hawkins-Hilke and Nancy Jones.