Music Took a Political Turn in the 1790s
What role did music play in a newly independent United States? In the 1780s music in commemorative rituals focused on gratitude, virtue and educating youth, according to new research that draws on extensive music archives from Bennington, Vermont Music played a central role in commemorating the revolutionary war, which was an important counter to the perceived fragility of the new republic. As political rifts developed at the close of the century, songs and songwriting became a tool for political expression and criticism.
Freedom and Equality & the "rebel" mascot
A chapter in a new book looks at the intense local debate over changing the name of the South Burlington mascot from rebels to wolves. The study’s author, UVM Professor Hilary Neroni uses the case study to examine how America treats the ideas of equality and freedom in our current political context.
Town police spending increases 10.5 percent
Police services spending at the town level increased 10.5 percent (on average) between FY 2021 and FY 2022, according to an analysis of 126 towns by the Center for Research on Vermont. About 60 towns saw their budgets increase, about 30 saw budgets decrease, and 35 remained stable. Thirteen towns saw increases above ten percent (Hinesburg, East Montpelier, Montpelier, Waterbury, Thetford, Georgia, St Albans town, Stockbridge, Fairfax, Granville, Wilmington, Brookfield, and Franklin). Ten towns saw decreases of more than twenty percent, including Rutland Town, Underhill, St Albans City, Arlington, Lyndonville, Pomfret, and Greensboro. This map shows town increases and decreases. See also the CNS news story here.
Lake Champlain Pollution Impacts Economy
If the phosphorus inputs of Lake Champlain were to be eliminated, the Missisquoi Region would bring in $28.5 million in local tourism and $11 million in property sales, according to a study in the Journal of Environmental Management. In order to reap these benefits, however, the state must invest long-term, as the benefits outweigh the cost only after 30 years of 100% reduction of phosphorus. Improving the water quality of Lake Champlain would benefit drinking water, recreational activities, and flood resiliency. Doing nothing will lead to a drastic decline in water quality, property sales and tourism spending, the researchers found.
In related news, the Vermont Department of Health has a new approach to tracking cyanobacteria. Public sightings can be sent to Healthvermont.gov where they will be posted on the new Cyanobacteria tracker.
Changing Agricultural Practices Disrupt Songbird Habitats
Earlier harvests in Vermont may put migratory bird populations at risk, according to a June 2021 study. The study investigated the seasonal migratory patterns of Bobolink and Savannah Sparrow populations, both of which breed in pastures and hay fields in Vermont. The birds use ecological cues to time their migration, so as to maximize seasonal resource availability in their habitats. However, as Vermont farmers shift their summer harvesting timing in response to a changing climate, the seasonal patterns in habitat availability are increasingly out-of-sync with these ecological cues. This mismatch may pose a danger to these populations, the study suggests.
Air Quality Impacted by Western Fires
After 364,000 acres of fire burned through Oregon, the West coast wasn’t the only part of the United States suffering from the aftermath. States across the North East United States have been experiencing poor air quality due to the forest fires in Oregon, and Vermont in particular is experiencing air quality deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups'' according to the Air Quality Index. At this level of air quality, the Air Quality Index advises people within sensitive groups, such as those who have asthma or heart disease, to be aware of shortness of breath and to reduce prolonged activities outside. This decrease in air quality has been characterized by thick layers of smoke moving throughout Vermont skies for multiple days. Meteorologists say they wouldn’t be surprised if more smoke continues to travel through Vermont provided the wildfires are still burning. For more context see VT Digger.
Motivators for Crop Diversity
Crop diversity, or the variety within crop species, works to deter environmental stressors on agricultural systems by maintaining and producing crop varieties that protect against pests and diseases. Having the knowledge of why seed producers maintain crop diversity can be useful in implementing future policy. A recent study of Vermont seed systems found that market demand and making money are less important than producing food for home consumption and encouraging pollinator populations and sustainable agriculture. Assuming that crop diversity increases with monetary incentives ignores the preferences of private and public seed producers and fails to reach an effective solution.
Supporting Refugee Students in Classrooms
English-Language Learning (ELL) classrooms are made up of very diverse group of people, and it can be difficult to accommodate the students’ individual needs, many of whom may be refugees from other countries. A case study in the Essex Westford School District of Vermont found that teachers work tirelessly trying to support all of their students. In diverse classrooms such as these, open communication is key, and the best results come when the school and community works together to help their students.
Burlington Ranked 13 for Urban Heat Island Intensity
A recently published study ranks Burlington on the top 20 cities with the highest urban heat island intensity. The score is based on the city’s albedo, or the amount of energy reflected by a surface, percentage of greenery, population density, building height, and average width of streets and irregularity of the city. Currently, the city has not adopted a heat island mitigation goal, and until the issue is addressed vulnerable residents such as outdoor workers and those with respiratory issues will likely experience higher rates of heat-related illnesses.
Hemp as an emerging agricultural product
Hemp was recently identified as one of Vermont’s ten emergent agricultural products critical for Vermont’s future. In this study, the objectives were to measure the economic, social, and environmental inputs of hemp, to identify techniques for mining hemp metrics, and to forecast agricultural food sustainability. In order to garner a high value share, an understanding of market requirements and developing industry standards for quality are needed.
Summervale -- August 5
Twiddle -- August 6 & 7
Southern Vermont Arts Center Presents the Blues -- August 7
13th Annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival -- August 7 & 8
Vermont Be True Yoga Festival -- August 6
Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival -- August 7
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The Vermont Research News is a bi-monthly curated collection of Vermont research -- focused on research in the Vermont "laboratory" -- research that provides original knowledge to the world and research that adds to an understanding of the state's social, economic, cultural and physical environment. Thanks to support from the Office of Engagement at UVM.
Send your news items to Newsletter Editors Martha Hrdy, Nick Kelm, or Richard Watts. CRVT is responsible for the content. The newsletter is published on the 1st and 15th of each month.