WUV forms to connect and support existing watershed organizations

A new group called Watersheds United Vermont (WUV) is forming with a mission to connect and support existing watershed organizations across Vermont.’
With major funding awarded by the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, Watersheds United Vermont seeks to connect community-based watershed groups in Vermont with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to more effectively enhance and protect the health of Vermont water resources.’
‘There are a lot of watershed groups doing great work all across Vermont.’ Watersheds United Vermont will help link them up so they can share information and work together and be even more effective in their own watersheds,’ said Lydia Menendez, Assistant Director of the Vermont River Conservancy.’
While the size and structure of many of the watershed groups differ and the geography of their watersheds separates them, the scope of work is often very similar, and includes education and outreach, river clean-ups, water-quality monitoring, riparian buffer plantings, and river corridor conservation. These non-governmental watershed groups have identified the need to create a state-wide affiliation to improve communication and collaboration around watershed issues in Vermont.’
The organization will be hiring one staff person to guide the formation.’ Watersheds United Vermont will be run as project of the Vermont River Conservancy, under the guidance of member watershed organizations and an advisory group.’ WUV expects to hold its first state-wide meeting with all Vermont watershed groups in February.’
The Vermont River Conservancy is a Montpelier-based non-profit that works to protect and preserve important land along Vermont waters such as waterfalls, gorges, swimming holes, wetlands, river and lake shores and islands. It has preserved more than 50 sites around the state. Information is available at www.vermontriverconservancy.org or by calling VRC at (802) 229-0820.
Source: WUV 11.12.2013