Lake Champlain Sea Grant
Mission
Lake Champlain Sea Grant develops and shares science-based knowledge to benefit the environment and economies of the Lake Champlain Basin. Lake Champlain Sea Grant is a cooperative effort of the University of Vermont and the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh, with partners that include UVM Extension, state and local government agencies, and numerous other organizations. It is part of the National Sea Grant College program established by the U.S. Congress in 1966 and administered by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Agency Initiatives
Support resilient communities and economies in the Lake Champlain Basin.
Lake Champlain Sea Grant helps communities, individuals and businesses employ sound science, tools, and technologies to sustain natural resources and coastal economies. We ensure that communities, individuals and businesses can identify and implement policies and practices in support of water resources and can mitigate and address hazards, including those related to climate change. We make a concerted effort to support underserved and at-risk communities.
Increase the environmental literacy of students and adults.
Through hands-on, place-based, and online programs, Lake Champlain Sea Grant engages students, teachers, community members, and professionals representing a range of specialties to become environmental stewards. By serving as a bridge between research and communities, our environmental literacy program provides participants with watershed and climate science education, and it engages participants in field science and stewardship to address challenges related to ecosystem health and water quality in the basin.
Enable a diverse and skilled workforce to sustainably manage Lake Champlain Basin resources.
Our programs are designed to develop a diverse and skilled workforce that can manage current and future environmental and economic challenges. Lake Champlain Sea Grant supports a suite of formal and experiential learning, training, and research experiences for college students, recent graduates, and professionals. Current initiatives include scholarships for undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds, research and environmental education internships, trainings, and certified professional education classes.
Protect, enhance, and restore healthy ecosystems throughout the Lake Champlain Basin.
Through a competitive research program informed by local stakeholders and technical experts, Lake Champlain Sea Grant funds research projects and fellowships to develop and share sound science, tools and services to protect, enhance, and restore the Lake Champlain Basin’s habitat, ecosystems, and services. We seek and welcome diverse perspectives and are committed to extending knowledge and resources to diverse audiences. We share scientific results and related management implications with and are committed to dialogue with business, state, and local leaders, and the communities they serve.
Current Projects
Watershed Alliance: An Education Initiative
Watershed Alliance educates youth about watershed science and related topics. With locations at the University of Vermont and the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, Watershed Alliance offers robust in-person and virtual learning options; provides curriculum, equipment, and instructors to schools and youth groups; and supports teachers who wish to integrate watershed education into their curricula.
Other Federal Agencies Involved: NOAA, US EPA
More about Watershed Alliance
Winter Road Salt Reduction in the Lake Champlain Basin
Lake Champlain Sea Grant conducts communication, outreach and research to improve management of winter road salt use for road safety, water quality, and affordability. At annual Salt Summits co-hosted by Sea Grant, experts and practitioners share recent science and technologies with highway departments, municipalities, private contractors, and other stakeholders. Given the success in influencing road salt practices, research is underway to evaluate the impact of a New York State road salt reduction program on the chemistry of four tributaries to Lake George.
Other Federal Agencies Involved: NOAA
More about road salt and water quality
An Environmental Monitoring Program to Evaluate the New York State Department of Transportation Road Salt Reduction Pilot Program in the Lake George Drainage Basin