Vermont Business Magazine Developing a forest management plan, constructing bat houses, updating amenities along the Branliere Forest Trail, a community climate change presentation, printing trail maps, and marking wildlife corridors, are all projects that have recently received financial support thanks to grants from the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC).
As part of the AVCC Tiny Grant Program, grants were awarded to conservation commissions for projects in the following towns: Bethel, Bolton, Burke, Johnson, Putney, and Warren. Groups will receive between $250 and $400 depending on the project. AVCC has offered the Tiny Grant Program for several years, and conservation commissions (or groups working to become conservation commissions) who are members of AVCC are eligible.
“The grants may be ‘tiny’, but their impact is not – these grants help support impactful projects in local communities,” said Karen Freeman, chair of AVCC. “Conservation commissions spend countless hours working to safeguard our natural resources each year, and supporting their work is what AVCC is focused on.”
Conservation commissions are non-regulatory bodies designed to advise planning commissions and select boards on natural resources issues. AVCC is proud to support the work of conservation commissions throughout Vermont by offering the Tiny Grant Program, and by hosting an annual meeting and serving as a clearinghouse for information for local conservation commissions.
Grant Details
Bethel: The Conservation Commission will use the grant to upgrade amenities along the Branliere Forest Trail including the installation of an information sign at the base of the trail and enlarging a vista point to allow for the installation of a bench for resting and viewing. Contact: Charles S. Davis, 802-369-9517
Bolton: The Town of Bolton Conservation Commission will use the AVCC Tiny Grant to host an informative presentation from Sue Morse, a nationally acclaimed tracker, naturalist, photographer, and founder of Keeping Track, on the impact of climate change on animals of the north. Contact: Amy Ludwin, 802-355-3646
Burke: With AVCC support, the Burke Conservation Commission will embark on developing a forest management plan with the NorthWoods Stewardship Center for a municipal forest (approximately 10 acres) with the goal of managing the property for wildlife and habitat conservation. Contact: Ross Stevens, 802-473-6274
Johnson: The Johnson Conservation Commission plans to build and install 12 bat houses on sites near the Gihon and Lamoille Rivers in Johnson as part of a mosquito management approach. Contact: Lois M. Frey, 802-635-7826
Putney: Putney Conservation Commission will be reprinting their popular Putney Trails Map titled Places to Walk, Hike, Bike, and X-C in Putney, VT to inspire healthy physical activity within the community for residents and visitors alike. Contact: Ann Kerrey, 802-387-5685
Warren: In an effort to enrich public awareness and understanding of the presence, sensitivity, and importance of wildlife corridors, the Warren Conservation Commission will erect wildlife corridor signage at empirically identified road crossings. Contact: Cindi Jones, 802-496-2709
Source: AVCC. 7.31.2017. The Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support Vermont’s conservation commissions, which are advisory bodies that help communities protect and enhance their natural resources, and to encourage the establishment of more conservation commissions in the state. AVCC is a membership organization with conservation commissions as well as individuals as members. Founded in 1990, AVCC is overseen by a volunteer board of directors.