Izzy is a fifth generation Vermonter and has been with VACD for 3.5 years, working in the Colchester USDA-NRCS-Vermont State office. Izzy independently develops and manages NRCS-VT “Mobile Tools” statewide program using ESRI’s Field Maps and Survey123 mobile applications to digitally inventory resources, conduct field assessments, and plan practices on-demand and in the field. She is a member of the USDA-NRCS Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) Program team, which includes monitoring NRCS wetland easements for violations, wildlife, invasive and noxious weed plants, and assisting with conservation practice implementation and certification. She regularly assists with wetland delineations for Food Security Act purposes including describing soils, inventorying vegetation, and identifying wetland hydrology. Finally, she is a FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot and co-manages VACD’s Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) program including managing and coordinating, flight operations, geo-product creation, reporting, and program outreach. Izzy joined VACD shortly after completing an international Master’s program in Environmental Management and Sustainability in the small Mediterranean island-state of Malta. Prior to post-grad, Izzy studied at Syracuse University, earning a degree in Biology with a focus on Environmental Science.  

Lauren grew up in Ohio and moved to Vermont to pursue a degree in forestry from the University of Vermont. She spent her summers in Ohio working in a leasing office and helping people find apartments. Lauren discovered her love of working with spatial data and GIS after taking Intro to Geographic Information Systems and decided to pursue a minor in Geospatial Technologies. Her capstone project was working to create a planting prioritization map for the Winooski Tree Board looking at spatial data, inspiring her to continue working with GIS in Vermont. She helps conservation planners and engineers use ArcGIS Pro to use geospatial products in their workflows. Many of these workflows include creating maps through a set of python scripts she has created, LiDAR, and CAD data. Additionally, she has co-created a set of guidance documents through Microsoft Teams that help people with frequently asked issues in ArcGIS Pro, so they have all the resources they need to seamlessly do their jobs. Recently, she has become a FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot and co-manages the VACD Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Program and is the Program Manager. This includes managing project requests and sUAS workload, project planning and preparation, act as the Remote Pilot in Command, and process the flight data and give the desired deliverables to the client. While acting as the Remote Pilot in Command, she uses a series of checklists to ensure the safety of herself, those around, and the UAV. She hopes the work she is doing with the UAV can aid in engineers and conservation planners planning processes. 

Michelle joined VACD in the summer of 2011 as a CREP planner and is now working as a Land Treatment Planner. Prior to her role with VACD, Michelle worked as a Conservation\GIS Technician with USDA Farm Service Agency for more than four years where she gained extensive experience in GIS and conservation programs. Michelle is a MA native but has been living in Vermont for over thirteen years. She earned her undergraduate degree at Green Mountain College in environmental studies with double minors in biology and geology. As a graduate student, Michelle studied environmental sciences with a focus in conservation biology. She attributes her life-long love of the environment largely to her parents, who always encouraged her to explore the outdoors through backpacking, hiking, and family canoe trips.

Cindy Watrous grew up in Piermont, NH on a small dairy farm.  She attended Becker Junior College earning an Associate of Applied Science for Veterinary Assistant.  Cindy was a Dairy Herd Improvement Association Technician for 23 years and enjoyed her work with the farmers in Addison County.  Cindy received her training on GIS from FSA and joined VACD in December of 2006 as a Land Treatment Planner covering Addison, Rutland and Bennington Counties. Cindy owns a small sheep farm and is a fiber artist who dyes and processes her own sheep’s wool into felted creations.   In her spare time, Cindy enjoys gardening, seeking treasures at yard sales, repurposing items and spending time with her two grand-daughters. 

Justin Michaud is a native Vermonter who grew up on a family dairy farm. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Sierra Nevada College and a Master of Science degree in Biology from Eastern Kentucky University. Justin joined the VACD team in 2015 and currently works as a Land Treatment Planner and Conservation Planner in the Newport field office. He loves playing with his two children, working on a diversified farm, fishing, gardening, and snowboarding. 

Kelley grew up in New York and spent most of her childhood outside exploring. She went to school at Saint Michael’s College where she got a degree in biology and minored in Chemistry and Environmental Studies. After graduation, she moved to the West Coast to work for the Bureau of Land Management on geomorphic stream surveys throughout Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. Between field seasons, she came back to Vermont to thru-hike The Long Trail, then moved to Colorado to work at Breckenridge Ski Resort and enjoy a winter skiing in the Rocky Mountains. She is very excited to be back on the East Coast helping to conserve the natural lands of Vermont!

Meryl grew up in Lynnfield, MA, just north of Boston. She attended UVM and graduated this past May with an Environmental Sciences degree and minors in French and Chemistry. Meryl now lives in Burlington, VT. She was a research assistant in Dr. Eric Roy's Nutrient Cycling and Ecological Design Lab, and joined UVM's first Soil Judging team. Last summer, she received a fellowship from UVM to conduct independent research on the social dimensions of river conservation efforts in Vermont’s Upper Missisquoi Watershed. Through her collaboration with the Vermont Land Trust, and work with landowners and farmers, Meryl became familiar with the social, economic, and environmental benefits (and challenges) to conservation initiatives and water quality. She is very excited to apply her knowledge in the conservation planning process through hands-on field work and engaging with customers. 

As for a few fun facts: Meryl enjoys staying active and getting outdoors—whether that’s by playing Ultimate Frisbee, gardening, hiking, or biking. She also likes to get creative in the kitchen and try new recipes. In normal (non-Covid) times, she’d be following the local music and art scene. In colder times, reading some poetry or fiction—in English or in French!

A third-generation Vermonter, Holly is a 2020 graduate of the University of Vermont Environmental Studies program. During her time at UVM, Holly had a specific interest in sustainable food systems and conducted qualitative research on food insecurity in the North Country region of New York. She was also an assistant in a pilot study analyzing the links between mental health and the environment. Holly is currently in a graduate program at Unity College, looking to earn her Master’s of Professional Science in Wildlife Conservation & Management. When Holly isn’t working or studying, she likes to go birding, knit socks, and play any board game she can get her hands on.

Stephi received a B.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois in 2015 and graduated with a Master’s in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont in 2021. At UVM, Stephi's research focused on estimating floodwater storage volume and prioritizing floodplain reconnection in the Northern Lake Champlain Basin in Vermont. Stephi also assisted in an effort to create floodplain maps at various recurrence intervals for the entire Lake Champlain Basin. Dedicated to water resource conservation and restoration, Stephi has worked a variety of positions, including, but not limited to working in prairie restoration in the Midwest, serving with NRCS through Vermont’s ECOAmeriCorps program, and working for VACD as the Strategic Watershed Cartographic Technician. Stephi is excited to be back with the VACD Team and looks forward to working as the Wetlands Restoration Planner. When not at work, Stephi can be found in the garden or foraging in the woods, and then subsequently cooking up all the great things that grow in Vermont. Stephi also enjoys playing music, photography, woodworking, and learning to sew.

Raised on Long Island, New York, Caitlin spent summers vacationing with her family in Northern Vermont. The mature forests, unique landscape and beauty of the Green Mountain State solidified that Vermont is where she wanted to live. After years designing jewelry for clients and graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Art from Adelphi University, Caitlin moved to Vermont and in following years finished her Graduate Degree from the Gemological Institute of America to elevate her long-standing career in the Fine Jewelry industry. Though she thoroughly enjoyed the building of connections to Vermont through its community members, she ultimately knew she needed to make a larger impact for VT residents and their future.

Caitlin went on to work with the Vermont State Parks, Forests & Recreation; learning that conservation of the waters and land of the state she calls “Home” are essential. With allotted down time in winter, Caitlin and her partner Chris traveled to the islands of Hawai’i through the WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) program, working to stabilize fragile local food systems as well as implementing organic and sustainable farming practices. Learning from the Pacific Island peoples about issues surrounding cultural justice and equality was a life altering experience that she will always be grateful for.

Her studies of Agroforestry, Permaculture sciences and organic farm management led to working with a local VT Industrial Hemp farm, applying these methodologies and gaining experience in low-impact monocrop farming. Becoming familiar with the programs in Vermont that assist farmers and the general population with their goals, while also protecting the natural resources that make our state so special, directed Caitlin to the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts. She is super excited to continue making a huge difference! In her downtime, she enjoys hiking with her partner, tending her gardens, collecting rocks and minerals, family & friends, live music and cooking