Orleans County NRCD
The Orleans County Natural Resource Conservation District (OCNRCD) was established in 1946 as a non-regulatory organization led by local landowners. We strive to protect natural resources by seeking solutions to local environmental concerns and providing resources to address them.
Our current focus is to support Orleans County communities and landowners in their efforts to improve water quality issues. Our extensive partnerships with state, federal and local organizations enable us to coordinate resources locally to support conservation land use practices.
CONSERVATION FAIR & ANNUAL PLANT SALE PICK UP DAY – FESTIVITIES INCLUDING PERMACULTURE WORKSHOP!
Our Annual PLANT SALE is CLOSED. BUT we still have extra plants! Forgot to place an order? Come to Plant Sale Pick up Day & CONSERVATION FAIR and check out our extra inventory.
please go to: www.orleanscountynrcd.org to learn more about pick day details.
Celebrate Spring at the Conservation Fair & 40th Annual Plant Sale-Purchase plants from a large variety of bareroot fruit trees, native trees and shrubs, ferns, wildflower seedlings from FFA students at NCCC, and local compost. Enjoy family-fun activities: climb down into the earth with a soil scientist and learn about soil health (and grab a free coloring book); visit with Master Gardeners for planting tips; learn about biochar and receive a sample; enjoy a Cabot grilled cheese sandwich made by the Orleans County 4-H club; attend a presentation of permaculture and agroforestry.
PRESENTATION – Permaculture & Agroforestry: Working Trees on Vermont Landscapes
The Conservation Fair will include a special presentation by two experts in the fields of agroforestry and permaculture: Mark Krawczyk of Keyline Vermont LLC and Juan Alvez of UVM Extension.
Mark will share how holistic management practices like agroforestry and permaculture design can help you to incorporate working trees into your agricultural landscapes to provide shade, wind protection, habitat, fodder and mast, fuelwood, fruit and nuts, carbon sequestration and much more. Juan will explain the five major approved practices recognized by the USDA NRCS: silvopasture, alley cropping, riparian forest buffers, forest farming, and windbreaks. All of these practices can produce commercially viable timber and non-timber forest products among other ecosystem services.
This workshop is geared to a broad range of people from backyard hobby gardeners to large agricultural producers. Learn more about Mark’s consulting business here: www.keylinevermont.com
Pre-sale of tickets on Eventbrite; suggested donation $20
Our Annual Plant Sale is an opportunity for community members to purchase quality bareroot trees, shrubs, berry bushes, and other plants. One of the goals of the sale is to encourage individual self-sufficiency and land enhancements to private property. Some of the species for sale – such as cedars, willow and basswood – are helpful for stabilizing soils and riverbanks. Planting along streams, rivers and shorelands can help improve the water quality and habitat. Sedimentation to surface water from erosion can lead to the build up of nutrients in our waterways, which negatively impacts water quality.
Questions? Please contact Bevin: 802.624.7024; bevin.barber-campbell@vt.nacdnet.net
Orleans county farmers doing good conservation work
The Farm at Wheeler Mountain — owned and operated by Orleans County NRCD board chair, Joanna Lidback — has been focusing on conservation efforts since 2017. They have been implementing BMPs with assistance from OCNRCD staff and with technical and financial support through the USDA NRCS Memphremagog RCPP program. Check out the farms accomplishments in this one pager.
Water Quality Reports & Resources
- VTDEC Lake Memphremagog Basin Plan – September 2023
- Lake Memphremagog Water Quality Reports
- Watch this YouTube video on Vermont’s Tactical Basin Planning Initiative – Past, Present, and Future
Connect with us on Social Media
Mission Statement
Protect and enhance the soils and waters of Orleans County by providing leadership, education and services for implementation of sound land stewardship practices.
Contact us:
59 Waterfront Plaza
Newport, VT 05855
(802) 334-6090 x 7008
sarah.damsell@vt.nacdnet.net
Upcoming Events:
Saturday April 27th 9-12:00: Volunteer tree planting in Greensboro.
Saturday May 4th 9-12:00: Plant Sale Pick Up Day and Conservation Fair.
Quarterly Newsletter
Get the latest news and learn how Orleans County NRCD is conserving natural resources in Vermont. To sign up and view past newsletter, click here.
Conservation Success Stories!
Orleans County NRCD highlights local farmers who reduced their nonpoint source pollution by installing best management practices that have measured phosphorous runoff reductions in Orleans County watersheds!
Click here to read the Jones Farm conservation practice adoption success story.
Click here to read the Morin Farm over 85% phosphorus reduction success story.
Click here to read the McCormick Farm 50% phosphorus reduction success story.
I don’t think people realize the effect that these projects can have on the environment.”