September E-Newsletter from VNRC
See below for the latest news and updates. Register here for our Backyard Habitat webinar this Thursday at noon, and don’t forget to RSVP to attend our 2021 Annual Meeting!
The Latest
— Introducing Kati Gallagher — We are thrilled to welcome Kati Gallagher, our new Sustainable Communities Program Director, to the VNRC team! Kati brings a background of community planning, with specific expertise in affordable housing and sustainable transportation. Learn more below.
— Farewell, Ian Hitchcock — Ian joined VNRC in 2017 as part of the AmeriCorps program, and most recently served as Energy and Climate Program Associate. Ian has been a critical member of our team and an important ally in our collective efforts to advance clean energy and climate action solutions. His contributions and good humor will be sorely missed. We wish him the best of luck!
— Welcome, Frank Erickson — Frank Erickson, who recently completed his law degree at Vermont Law School, joins VNRC this month as our newest Mollie Beattie Intern. Frank will conduct policy and legal research on projects including water issues, climate change policy, and land use strategies for forestland protection. He’ll also contribute to the Vermont Dam Removal Initiative, which raises awareness of the impact of dams on river connectivity, aquatic organism passage, water quality, public safety, flood resilience, and economics.
— Protecting Vermont’s imperiled bats — VNRC joined a coalition of groups who sued Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) for refusing to properly protect five threatened and endangered Vermont bat species. Learn more below.
— Removing Dunklee Pond Dam in Rutland — VNRC, with the Vermont River Conservancy, is leading the removal of a hazardous dam in the City of Rutland to restore the river’s equilibrium, improve water quality and habitat, reduce the risk of a large sediment release to downstream river systems, and reduce flood and erosion risks to downstream homes. Read more here.
— Weigh in to the Vermont Climate Council — The Vermont Climate Council is hosting public comment sessions beginning this month. Find the timeline for public engagement sessions on page 3 here. And find the public input form here. (Schedule adjustments may be made to accommodate outdoor meetings for public safety. We’ll keep you updated!)
Events
—RSVP to attend our Annual Meeting on September 23 — Join us at 5:30pm for our 2021 Annual Meeting. We’ll celebrate our year in advocacy and honor Nancy Patch, this year’s recipient of the Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership. Learn more here and below. Hope to see you there!
— Rally for Change at City Market through September — Anytime you check out at City Market, you can choose to “round up” your total to the nearest dollar. This month, VNRC will receive 10% of those donations. Keep us in mind when you shop. We’re grateful for your support!
— Benefit Bake at American Flatbread, Burlington — A portion of all proceeds from flatbreads sold on September 28th from 4-9pm will support VNRC. Thanks to American Flatbread, Burlington Hearth, for being a great community partner!
Spotlight on Vermont’s Backyard Biodiversity
— The new VER is here — Our latest issue of the Vermont Environmental Report (VER) explores the many ways to preserve Vermont’s biodiversity. From national and state-wide policy to individual stewardship, take a look at some current initiatives as well as the groups taking the lead on this work—including many of you in your own backyards!
— Webinar: Backyard Habitats — Interested in making your backyard more welcoming to Vermont wildlife? Join us on September 9 at noon for an hour of tips and expertise. Learn more here and below.
— Doug Tallamy’s visit to Vermont — On August 26, renowned ecologist and educator Doug Tallamy spoke to a sold-out audience about how Vermonters can transform their yards, forests, or farms into havens for wildlife and biodiversity. Read more here and below.
In other news…
— Climate Town Hall with Senator Sanders — On August 25, VNRC and our partners at the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN) were joined by Senator Sanders and a panel of municipal energy committee leaders to discuss local efforts to address the climate crisis and hear about potential federal investments to support this work in Vermont and beyond. Read more, and view a recording here.
— The Build Back Better Act — The recent impacts of Hurricane Ida, from the Gulf Coast to the Mid-Atlantic, and the raging wildfires out West underscore the urgent need for federal climate action. Take a moment to thank our congressional delegation for their climate leadership, and reach out to friends around the country to ask their senators and reps to support the Build Back Better Act.
— The John Lewis Voting Rights Act — The U.S House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 4, a major milestone to ending discriminatory voting practices in the U.S. In the Senate, the bill faces the threat of a filibuster, a procedure Senate leadership is under increasing pressure to reform. We support the reform of the filibuster to help ensure free and fair elections in the 2022 midterm elections and beyond.