River corridor studies throughout the state in recent years included many miles of Winooski Basin streams. Ann Smith, Director of the Friends of the Winooski River (the Friends) and the Winooski Natural Resources
Conservation Director at the time, Abbey Willard, observed that landowners and others would benefit from a less technical document. Initial funding was received through a Friends’ grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program. The document was written by Linda Henzel, enhanced with case studies, and refined and checked for accuracy with input from many reviewers and scientists, including the Director of the Vermont Rivers Program, Mike Kline.