How ANR Helps You Get Outside - Although You May Not Know It
Summer 2017 Newsletter


Secretary Moore helps band geese in July.
From the Secretary's Desk

Meet Julie Moore, 
ANR's New Secretary

One of my favorite aspects of living here, in Vermont, is the numerous and exceptional opportunities for outdoor recreation. Whether hiking in the woodland behind my house with our dogs, paddling on nearby lakes and reservoirs, camping in a State Park, or rummaging through the blackberry patch in search of a few sweet morsels - I take advantage of Vermont's long, warm summer days by spending time outside.
 
And my love for all things outdoors translates directly to the great privilege I feel in being able to spend my work hours engaged in the mission of the Agency of Natural Resources - promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, protecting and improving the health of Vermont's peoples and ecosystems, and promoting sustainable outdoor recreation.
 
As you may know, the Agency is made up of three Departments - Environmental Conservation (DEC), Fish & Wildlife (F&W), and Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) - each of which plays a significant role in the stewardship of Vermont's natural resources. For most Vermonters, the work of F&W and FPR are associated with fun - supporting a myriad of outdoor activities including hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, paddling, and bird watching. On the other hand, DEC is often seen as simply a regulatory body and no fun at all! As is often the case, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. FPR regulates the working forests as well as maintain a network of 55 fantastic State Parks. The game wardens of F&W both apprehend poachers and teach classrooms full of children a deep appreciation for our native flora and fauna. And while DEC serves a whole host of regulatory functions from monitoring air emissions to permitting landfills, they also help preserve a landscape where ponds are swimmable, vernal pools support healthy populations of salamanders and tree frogs and the views from our mountaintops are not obscured in smog.
 
In this issue of our e-newsletter, my first as ANR Secretary, I'd like to introduce you to a few of the less-well-known things we do to make the outdoors fun.  I won't call them obscure, because I know that many of you have toured the Ed Weed Fish Hatchery or enjoyed the mountain biking opportunities at Little River State Park. But I am hopeful that the next time you hear the spring peepers or hike up your favorite hill to watch the sunset, you will give a little nod to the work of this Agency which helps preserve those moments for current and future Vermonters.  It's easy to forget all that ANR does to protect the environment, and yet I can assure you that you'd notice if we failed to do our job.
 
Appointed by Governor Scott in January of this year, Julie Moore is the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources.  Formerly, she worked as an environmental engineer focused on watershed planning and water quality concerns associated with runoff from developed land and agricultural areas. She lives with her husband in Middlesex where they garden, raise chickens and try to keep up with two active children who love the outdoors. 

TrailsBuilding Trails (and an Ethic) That Last

A new, flowing mountain bike trail on Perry Hill in Waterbury.
A proposal for improvements to a mountain bike trail on public lands is passed out for review. Around the table sits an interdisciplinary team of scientists, land managers, and planners. A forester rules out impacts to harvestable timber, a wildlife biologist skims the map for a deer wintering yard, a fisheries biologist assesses stream crossings, and a natural communities ecologist looks for indications of the presence of rare plants while the water resource specialist and recreation managers look at erosion potential, trail sustainability of projected use, and resource goals of the property. They discuss their findings, weigh the pros and cons of the proposal, and make the decision to approve the trail upgrade.

HatcheryThe Rebirth of a Hatchery: A Fish Tale

Fishing in a hatchery-stocked pond.
August 28, 2011 is a day that most Vermonters will never forget.  The destruction caused by Tropical Storm Irene threatened lives, uprooted families and destroyed businesses.  One piece of infrastructure about which you may not know sustained heavy damages from the rising waters of the White River.  Prior to Irene, the White River National Fish Hatchery, owned and operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Bethel, had been raising and distributing Atlantic salmon into the Connecticut River as part of a restoration program.  Totally incapacitated and in need of significant repairs, it wasn't until  this year that the hatchery came back online.

If you're asking, "So what?" let me tell you.

MuniDayState Government Municipal Day 
Coming in September to a town near you!

ANR is excited to announce our 5th annual "Municipal Day" training. Partnering with other State Agencies, we're offering 20+ workshops to choose from along with networking opportunities and a plenary session. If you're interested in learning about community action plans, web-based mapping tools, preparing for the impacts of climate change or a host of other topics, we invite you to join us in Montpelier on Sept 15.  
New this year we're offering satellite sessions in Rutland (on Sept 19) and St. Johnsbury (on Sept 22).  Satellite sessions offer a single-track workshop program on a variety of topics in our Regional State Offices.

CleanWater"All In" for Clean Water!
August 21 - 26 is Clean Water Week in Vermont.

On August 21st Governor Phil Scott issued a proclamation declaring Clean Water Week for the State of Vermont. We invite you to join us in celebrating Vermont's waters, and the efforts of businesses, organizations, and communities to protect and restore clean water statewide. Vermonters and visitors alike drink, swim, fish, boat, and admire the scenic beauty of Vermont's waters. Join us and be "All In" for clean water!


Learn more and find a list of Clean Water Week Events at:
 


ClimateEconomyConferenceCatalysts of the Climate Economy 
A National Innovation Summit, September 6 - 8 in Vermont

Join our Partners at the Vermont Council on Rural Development for an exciting conference this September.  Innovators are powering economic success by solving the challenges presented by climate change. Catalysts of the Climate Economy is a 3-day National Innovation Summit to bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders to celebrate success and to gear up for the next stage of economic development and prosperity in a low-carbon future.


 

Follow on Social Media
Stay connected for announcements, hunting and fishing news, landscape and wildlife photos, public meeting and comment notices, and the latest news about ANR's initiatives.
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
802-828-1294