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Dear Friend of Lake Champlain,
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As we welcome
the warm weather, our water quality programs are gearing up for the
summer months and we are entering our busiest time of the year. This
summer the LCBP will help many communities and organizations enjoy the
long awaited Quadricentennial events in Vermont, New York and Quebec.
In addition to many wonderful Quad programs, the LCBP is working on the
Missisquoi Bay Basin project, funded by the International Joint
Commission; getting the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership
off to a strong start with funds from the National Park Service; and
expanding many technical and educational programs and local grants,
with funds from the Environmental Protection Agency. We have never been
busier.
All
of us at the LCBP wish you a happy, healthy summer during this special
400th anniversary year. And as the temperature rises and the sun
shines, remember to have a glass of water, clean water. It is so worth
protecting.
Bill Howland,
LCBP Program Manager
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QUAD EVENTS FUNDED BY
LCBP
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The
LCBP has awarded over $100,000 to 18 organizations for Quadricentennial
projects. Below are specific Quad events funded by the LCBP!
For more information on all events, visit www.celebratechamplain.org (VT
events)and www.discoverlakechamplain400.org (NY
events).
St. Albans, VT Franco-American Heritage Festival:
June 18-20
The LCBP supported this Quadricentennial Signature Event
by funding the Lois
McClure's stay in St. Albans, ensuring accessibility by
funding a shuttle bus between downtown and St. Albans Bay, as well
as supporting performing artists and a children's cultural workshop.
Visit www.francoamericanvermont.org
for more festival info.
 Fleming
Museum Quadricentennial Exhibition: Through September 20th
The Robert Hull Fleming Museum in
Burlington presents "A Beckoning Country: Art and Objects from
the Lake Champlain Valley" examining the features of the Champlain Valley
landscape through objects and art created from the land and those it
inspired. Visit www.uvm.edu/~fleming/ for more
information.
When the French Were Here: July 2-5
Champlain College in Burlington, VT hosts an international symposium
entitled "When the French Were Here." Scholars will discuss
"New France" and the life of Samuel de Champlain. Visit www.champlainquadricentennial.com
for details.
Champlain Waterfront Festival Parade: July 11th at 5pm
The Burlington International Waterfront Festival running from July
2-14 will include a Champlain 400 parade with the theme of "Legends
of the Past and Future" funded by the LCBP. Visit www.celebratechamplain.org/burlington
for details.
Bike Gang!: August Weekends
Local Motion was awarded a LCBP grant to improve and increase the
Causeway Bike Ferry service connecting Colchester and South Hero,
VT along the Island Line Trail. Check out www.localmotionvt.org for
schedules and updates!
Plattsburgh, NY Heritage Guide
The City of Plattsburgh will have a Plattsburgh Heritage Guide
featuring the natural, historical, cultural, and recreational resources
within the city. The self guided tour will be available in print and
online in both English and French. Check www.cityofplattsburgh.com for the online version
available later this summer!
Lois McClure
Canal Schooner Tour
The LCBP is supporting the Maritime Museum's Lois McClure as it makes 20
ports-of-call to Champlain Basin communities in Vermont and New York as
the Quadricentennial flagship on the Lake. Watch for the Lois McClure and
LCBP representatives in your area! For a full schedule visit www.lcmm.org and see
article below.
IMAGES: Vermont and New York Quadricentennial logos
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REMINDER: QUAD
FUNDING AVAILABLE--DEADLINE JUNE 19TH
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Towns and cities throughout the Champlain Valley are
preparing for the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain's 1609
historic arrival on Lake Champlain. The region's municipalities will host
thousands of visitors at events this summer as they celebrate their
history and culture. Municipalities and population centers developing
signature events and programs are encouraged to apply for 2009 Champlain
Quadricentennial Commemoration Grants. The deadline for receipt of
proposals by the LCBP at its office is 4:30 PM, Friday June 19th, 2009.
For more application requirements visit www.lcbp.org/grants.htm.
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LAKE
STEWARDS AT BOAT LAUNCHES
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 The Lake Stewards program at boat launches continues in
2009 with public outreach at New York and Vermont access areas. Stewards
will be present at Shelburne, Burlington, Malletts Bay, and St. Albans VT
Department of Fish and Wildlife accesses in Vermont. The NY stewards
are stationed at Peru, Wilcox, Point Au Roche, and occasionally
Ticonderoga NYS Department of Environmental Conservation launches.
They also will attend fishing derbies on the Lake to provide information
about aquatic nuisance species. Learn more about this and other invasive
species prevention programs by visiting www.lcbp.org/nature.htm or
contacting Meg Modley at mmodley@lcbp.org.
IMAGE: Lake
Stewards show boat launch users how to inspect trailers and equipment for
invasive plants and animals.
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NEW
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES RAPID RESPONSE PLAN APPROVED
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Thanks to the dedicated work of the LCBP Aquatic
Nuisance Species Subcommittee and Rapid Response Workgroup, the Lake Champlain Basin Rapid
Response Action Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species has been
approved by the LCBP Steering Committee. This plan is intended to ensure
that appropriate protocols, trained personnel, equipment, permits, and
other resources are in place to contain and potentially eradicate newly
detected nonnative aquatic invasive species as they are reported in the
Basin. The plan envisions a task force comprised of members from Quebec,
New York, and Vermont to implement and oversee rapid response actions.
 This plan will be very helpful should hydrilla (for
example) be found in Lake Champlain. Hydrilla has rapidly spread since it
was introduced into Florida waters by an aquatic fish dealer--it is now
found in Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts. The aggressive invasive
poses a looming threat to Lake Champlain as it is very adaptable and
difficult to control once it has established a population. A Rapid
Response plan would limit its impact on the Lake and prevent
hydrilla from clogging waterways. For more information
about hydrilla or other aquatic nuisance species, visit www.lcbp.org/nature.htm.
IMAGE: Hydrilla, an
aquatic invasive species
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LAKE
CHAMPLAIN FARM AWARDS
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 Congratulations to the Boomhowers' Bittersweet Valley Farm
for receiving the 2008 Vermont Lake Champlain Farm Award. The award
recognizes the Boomhowers' extensive efforts in environmental
conservation on their Fairfield, VT farm and the effect their positive
leadership has had in the community.
The 2008 Quebec Lake Champlain Farm Award was presented to La Ferme Asnong et Hélène
Campbell in Pike River, for their longstanding
efforts and advocacy for environmentally sound farming practices. La
Ferme Asnong is the first grain farm to receive this
award.
IMAGE: Boomhowers
receiving Lake Champlain Farm Award
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NEW
RESOURCE ROOM EXHIBITS
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 We've been adding to our Resource Room
exhibits in preparation for the Quad and beyond. Highlights include
five additions to the Indigenous
Expressions exhibit and an exhibit called What Did Sam See?
that discusses the natural resources Champlain may have witnessed.
Special thanks to Professor Frederick M. Wiseman for his donations
and assistance with the Indigenous
Expressions exhibit. Stop by to see a cradle board, Abenaki
head dress, canoe, and other unique cultural objects (opening June 24th).
Preschoolers will enjoy our "History Mystery" discovery
cabinet with hands-on objects. We also have lots of Quad related books
and maps and NY/VT schedules available.
The Resource Room is open seven days/week on the top floor
of ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. Call 802-864-1848 ext. 6
or contact Nicole Ballinger at nballinger@lcbp.org
for more information about the exhibits.
IMAGE: Replica
Abenaki gourd container, made by Johnson State College students, Vermont.
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LOIS
McCLURE:
FLAGSHIP OF THE QUAD
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 The Maritime Museum's Lois McClure will
tour Lake Champlain this summer celebrating the Quadricentennial. In
addition to the knowledgeable schooner staff, LCBP representatives will
attend many ports-of-call to provide outreach about Lake Champlain and
watershed issues. In June, look for the Lois McClure at the Franco-American
Heritage Festival in St. Albans, Isle LaMotte, and Champlain Islands, VT,
and Rouses Point, NY. In July the boat will stop in Colchester,
Burlington, Vergennes, and Basin Harbor, VT. August ports include Essex,
Port Henry, Westport, Plattsburgh, Whitehall, and Schuylerville, NY, as
well as Burlington and Shoreham, VT. In September, Fort Edward,
Mechanicville, Waterford, and Crown Point, NY will be visited. To
learn more about the Lois
McClure and for an updated schedule visit www.lcmm.org/our_fleet/lois_mcclure.htm.
IMAGE: Lois McClure, courtesy of LCMM.
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CHAMPLAIN
VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP UPDATE
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The Preliminary Planning Framework
for the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership
(CVNHP) has been released and is available for viewing on the CVNHP
website. This framework provides the foundation for a Draft
Plan/Environmental Assessment, which is scheduled for release in August
2009.
Contact Jim Brangan at heritage@lcbp.org
or visit www.champlainvalleynhp.org for
more information.
IMAGE: Champlain
Valley National Heritage Partnewship Framework document cover
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HOT
OFF THE REEL: AWARD WINNING CHAMPLAIN DOCUMENTARY AVAILABLE TO SCHOOLS!
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Champlain: The Lake Between is a dramatic one hour
documentary reenacting historic events of Lake Champlain. The LCBP
provided funding for a CD ROM that accompanies the DVD, for use at home
or in the classroom, and to distribute the DVD and CD ROM free to
all Champlain Basin schools. The DVD recently won the Historical/Cultural
Program category at the Boston/New England Emmy Awards on June 1st, 2009!
For your copy call 802-759-8412 or visit www.historicvermont.org/chimneypoint.
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QUEBEC
CLEAR WATER MUSKETEERS
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 The final Clear Water
Musketeers curriculum booklet was published for use in 13 English and
French speaking schools. It addresses water quality and is aimed for
elementary students. The LCBP funds the English version of the booklet,
which also is published in French. More than 600 classrooms across the
Quebec border have been introduced to Musketeers Aqualine and Riviero as
they guide students through issues affecting the Missisquoi Bay
basin in this four year watershed curriculum. To learn more
about this program, contact Chantal d'Auteuil at cdauteuil@videotron.ca.
IMAGE: Cover
of fourth Clear Water Musketeer curriculum booklet.
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HOT
OFF THE PRESS: NEW LAKE CHAMPLAIN BOOK PUBLISHED!
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Lake Champlain: An
Illustrated History is "a celebration of America's most
historic lake." Color photos and historic images of the lake and
activities fill 216 pages supported by text written by Lake Champlain
experts, including LCBP's very own Laura Hollowell. Laura is an avid
naturalist and coordinates the LCBP's Resource Room at the Leahy Center
for Lake Champlain (top floor of ECHO). She wrote the book's natural
resource section. Visit www.lakechamplainbook.com for
more information or to purchase!
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NEW
FACES FOR THE SUMMER!
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The LCBP welcomes seven Lake Stewards for the summer season: Jay Tilton,
Austin Sachs and Julie Bellino at Vermont accesses and Dale Warner, Karla
Gratto, Tim Hanrahan and Besty Madan in New York. For more information
about the Lake Stewards see the previous article in this E-News.
We also welcome Eulaila Ishee as our Communication and Education Intern.
Eulaila is a master's student in UVM's Plant and Soil Science Department.
She's worked with Alaska fisheries and Florida manatees and is happy to
return to her native state of Vermont and to become involved with
environmental stewardship of Lake Champlain.
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CONTACT
US!
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 Main Office in Grand Isle:
(802) 372-3213 or (800) 468-5227 (toll-free in NY &
VT)
LCBP Resource Room: The Resource Room
at The Leahy Center for Lake Champlain (top floor of ECHO Lake
Aquarium & Science Center) is open to the public seven
days/week. Call (802) 864-1848 ext. 109 for more information.
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