April 19, 2019
MONTPELIER, Vt. – Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) Secretary Julie Moore invites the public to join her on April 30 from 4:00-5:00 pm to discuss a variety of environmental topics, including the status of Vermont’s wetlands. The Secretary will engage attendees in a conversation about the role of wetlands, the current 2019 wetlands legislation, and the Agency’s role in regulatory and restoration work.
“The Agency has a long history of protecting, conserving and restoring wetland habitat in Vermont,” said Secretary Moore. “Our Fish and Wildlife Department established the first state-owned Wildlife Management Area in the eastern U.S. in 1920 to protect wetland habitat for migratory waterfowl in Milton. Nearly 100 years later, we’ve conserved nearly 30,000 acres of some of the largest, most significant wetland systems in Vermont. Wetlands provide critical ecosystem services including flood resiliency, water quality protection, important wildlife and aquatic vegetation habitat, groundwater recharge, erosion control, and recreational opportunities. If you’ve got questions or concerns about Vermont’s wetlands, or want to discuss other natural resources issues, join me at this gathering. Let’s talk about these topics together.”
At the meeting, Laura Lapierre, Wetlands Program Manager for the Agency’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), will discuss how DEC protects wetlands through a combination of regulation and technical assistance. Laura will highlight resources available to Vermonters interested in protecting and minimizing impacts to wetlands. Jane Lazorchak, Land Acquisition and Stewardship Coordinator for the Agency’s Fish and Wildlife Department (FWD), will share updates on current restoration projects and outline the Department’s plan for wetland acquisition and restoration.
After an initial discussion on wetlands, Secretary Moore will open the floor to the public to hear thoughts, ideas, questions and concerns about Vermont’s natural world – from land and water to plants and wildlife. The Secretary encourages attendees to bring natural resources questions and topics beyond the featured topic. The gathering will be held in the Dewey Building at 1 National Life Drive in Montpelier April 30 from 4:00-5:00 pm. For those not able to make it in person, a Facebook Live stream will be available at https://www.facebook.com/VTANR/