Agriculture
 Starry Skies Farm in Washington, Vermont |
Basin Planning on the Winooski River: A comprehensive Basin Plan is in the works for the Winooski River. In early 2007 a series of stakeholder meetings were held to discuss the assets we value in the Winooski watershed and threats to those assets. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this year-long process which includes a speaker series, identifying and working on water related projects, and on-going discussion of the goals and strategies that form the foundation of the Basin Plan. For further information and to learn the latest status of this process please call Susan Alexander at 802.229.2720.
Nutrient Management Plan Workshop: The WNRCD & UVM Extension are pleased to announce a workshop series devoted to teaching producers how to create their own Nutrient Management Plan (NMP). This workshop may require minimal expenses due to materials costs. The first series of NMP workshops will take place every Mondays throughout February 2008. The workshop fills quickly, so please contact Jason Fleury at 802.828.4493 x111 for workshop details & dates.
Mortality Composting: Help is now available for farmers who would like to learn the best way to compost their dead animals. A comprehensive video has been produced through a partnership with the State of Vermont and the Windham County NRCD. This video is available at the USDA Service center in Berlin for animal owners to borrow.
Outreach & Education
Rain Gardens for Rivers: A Cooperative Learning Activity: This summer, a WNRCD volunteer, Brian Swisher, fulfilled an important role in our Education and Outreach Program by creating a multidisciplinary cooperative learning activity for middle/high school students focused on stormwater management through rain gardens. The activity was created to supplement the rain garden informational sign located at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Rain Garden located at 21 Library Lane, Williston, Vermont 802.878.4918.
 Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Rain Garden |
The rain garden activity is divided into three parts:
Part I: Take a field trip to the Williston Library rain garden. When you return, choose a rain garden site at your school based on what you learned during the field trip. Even if your class doesn’t actually install a rain garden, it is still a good practical application for students.
Part II: Create a cooperative learning environment by dividing the class into work groups. Each team is assigned a role with an associated task. The roles include: landscape architect; wildlife biologist; historian; soil scientist; engineer; and meteorologist.
Part III: Regroup as a class to determine the final rain garden design. Discuss the capacity of the rain garden and the effects that it will have on the environment.
Please contact the WNRCD if you would like a copy of this activity or would like our staff to help facilitate a field trip.