|
|
|
|
|
|
|
APPLY NOW:
$145,000 IN LCBP LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS AVAILABLE!
|
|
The LCBP
is currently seeking proposals for four grant categories:
1 - Pollution Prevention or Aquatic Invasive Species Spread
Prevention
2 - Organizational Support
3 - Education and Outreach
4 - 2009 Pollution Reduction on Small Farms in the Missisquoi and
St. Albans Bay Basins
These grants support local community and farmer involvement with the
implementation of the comprehensive management plan, Opportunities for Action: An
Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin.To
learn more and to access grant guidelines and applications visit our Grants webpage. For grant
related questions contact Eric Howe at ehowe@lcbp.org or call (802) 372-3213 ext. 18. All applications are due on
December 4, 2009.
Since 1992, the LCBP has awarded nearly $3.6 million in grants. See
what's been funded in our Grant Database.
STAY TUNED:
The LCBP will issue a request for proposals for approximately
$100,000 in Local
Habitat Restoration and Connectivity Grants later this
year.
|
|
|
|
|
INVASIVE VARIABLE-LEAVED
WATERMILFOIL FOUND IN LAKE CHAMPLAIN
|
 Variable-leaved watermilfoil (Myriophyllum
heterophyllum) was confirmed in Missisquoi Bay in September 2009.
Like Eurasian watermilfoil, variable-leaved watermilfoil can be difficult
to control once established. The plant was also found in Vermont's Hall
Lake in fall 2008. It spreads by stem pieces, roots, and seeds, and
"hitchhiking" on boats and recreational equipment. For more
information on variable-leaved watermilfoil visit the Vermont DEC website. For
information on other aquatic nuisance species, visit the LCBP's Aquatic Invasive Species
webpage or contact Meg Modley at (802) 372-3213 ext. 15, or
email mmodley@lcbp.org.
IMAGE: A comparision between Eurasian watermilfoil
(left) and Variable-leaved watermilfoil (right), VT DEC Photo.
|
|
WAYSIDE
EXHIBITS ONLINE
|
|
 Explore the unique local stories of
the Lake Champlain region through the LCBP's Wayside Exhibits. The
exhibits feature nature trails, heritage walks, tales of battles that
shaped our region, and recent projects to clean-up the Lake, restore
rivers and prevent pollution. The new exhibits are located at Clinton
County Community College, Otter View Park in Middlebury, Potash Brook in
South Burlington, and along Lake Champlain Byways in Chittenden County. A
total of 169 exhibits have been created to date in the Basin. Check out LCBP's Wayside Exhibit Website
to see them all online!
To learn how to create a wayside exhibit in your area, contact LCBP
Cultural Heritage and Recreation Coordinator, Jim Brangan at jbrangan@lcbp.org.
Or call (802) 372-3213 ext. 13.
IMAGE: A Wayside
Exhibit along the Lamoille River--part of Lake Champlain Byways.
|
|
WATCH
US ON YOU TUBE AND READ OUR BLOG!
|
 Check out the LCBP's new YouTube Channel. The YouTube
Channel shows basin-related videos including a "Don't P on Your
Lawn" public service announcement.
Have
a question about the watershed? Hundreds of
questions asked by Resource Room guests have been recorded and a
selection of questions and responses are available on the Lake Champlain Questions Blog.
More will be posted regularly.
While you're on YouTube, be sure to check out ECHO's Voices for the Lake
videos. ECHO recently recorded a film about invasive plant removal by the
Lewis Creek Association, which was funded by an LCBP local grant.
IMAGE: The
"Don't P on Your Lawn" PSA.
|
|
A
BUSY SUMMER IN THE RESOURCE ROOM
|
 More than 10,000 visitors
came to the Resource Room this summer--our busiest summer yet! The LCBP
Resource Room extends a heartfelt thank you to all of our volunteers and
staff that helped broaden guests' knowledge of Lake and Basin issues.
Guests asked hundreds of watershed questions, viewed our new Indigenous Expressions
exhibits, made observations in the Brown Snake's diary, and enjoyed our
Basin Box exhibits and puzzles. The LCBP Resource Room is located on the
second floor of ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in
Burlington. Drop in for a visit or call (802) 864-1848 ext. 109 for more
information.
IMAGE:
Guests enjoy the hands-on Discovery Cabinet exhibit in the LCBP Resource
Room.
|
|
ATTENTION
TEACHERS!
WATERSHED
MODEL DEMOS AND FREE SCHOOL PROGRAMS
|
|
 It was a busy spring and summer with LCBP
staff completing 52 watershed presentations to school groups and
community groups. The LCBP provides opportunities for teachers and
students to learn more about the Lake through: CBEI Teacher Education programs,
free school programs, and with the help of our Resource Room staff at the
Leahy Center for Lake Champlain.
For more information visit our Educational Resources webpage
or contact Colleen Hickey at chickey@lcbp.org or call (802) 372-3213 ext. 11.
Contact the Resource Room at (802) 864-1848 ext. 109.
IMAGE: Education staff Laura
Hollowell explains the watershed model on at rainy day at Ethan
Allen Field Day.
|
|
MICHIGAN
STUDY SHOWS PHOSPHORUS-FREE FERTILIZERS DECREASE
"P" RUNOFF
|
 While phosphorus is an important nutrient for crop growth,
too much of a good thing causes undesired algae blooms in the Lake.
Agricultural sources of excess phosphorus are commonly cited; however,
urban and suburban sources are also large contributors of phosphorus. A
recent by the University of Michigan looked at phosphorus levels before
and after a ban on phosphorus-based lawn fertilizer was enacted.
Phosphorus levels in the Huron River dropped by 28% after the 2006
ordinance. Details of the study are available on the University of Michigan website.
Although
phosphorus-based fertilizers are legal in Vermont and New York, local
studies have shown that they are not needed for a healthy lawn and lawn
care experts recommend using phosphorus-free products. To
find places to buy phosphorus free fertilizers and learn other
lake-friendly lawn care tips, visit Lawn to Lake website.
IMAGE: Using phosphorus-free lawn
fertilizer.
|
|
BAIKAL
GUESTS VISIT CHAMPLAIN
|
|
 Twelve representatives from the Lake Baikal region visited
the LCBP to learn about phosphorus, aquatic nuisance species, and
cultural heritage programs. The group included government officials,
teachers, scientists, and lake managers--all with a special interest in
working across political borders and understanding how the democratic
process influences policy. LCBP staff shared their expertise in managing
Lake issues across state and federal borders. Lake Baikal is located in
the south-central region of Russia north of Mongolia. It is the world's
oldest and deepest lake and contains over 20% of the world's fresh water.
IMAGE: Lake Baikal is home to the freshwater Baikal
seal. LakeNet photo.
|
|
CBEI
TEACHER ALUMNI EVENT
|
"Watershed for Every Classroom" alumni are
invited to a talk by Dr. Dave Franzi about Lake Champlain Valley
/Adirondack geology and the glaciers that once covered our region.
Dr. Franzi is a Distinguished Teaching Professor at SUNY Plattsburgh's
Center for Earth and Environmental Science Department. He and his
students discovered seal bones this fall while studying shoreline
geology. The event will be held Friday, December 4th from 5-7pm in
Burlington. A formal invitation will be sent to CBEI alumni soon.
To RSVP contact Colleen Hickey at chickey@lcbp.org or
call (802) 372-3213 ext. 11. Learn more about CBEI here.
|
|
LCBP
REPRESENTED AT GREAT LAKES WATER QUALITY MEETING
|
Meg Modley, the LCBP's
Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator was recently invited to
present at the Biennual International Joint Commission (IJC) Boundary
Waters Treaty meeting in Windsor, Ontario. The IJC is developing a
bi-national Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response Plan for the Great
Lakes and wanted to learn from the LCBP's interjurisdictional experiences
in developing a rapid response plan. Download the Lake Champlain rapid response plan
or call Meg Modley at (802) 372-3213 ext. 15 or email mmodley@lcbp.org for
more information.
|
|
CONTACT US!
|
|
 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.
|
|
|
|
|
