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European Frogbit Management LCA is looking for volunteers to assist with hand-harvesting Frogbit in Lake Champlain from June 1 - July 24.  Frogbit reduces native plant populations and impinges on fish spawning grounds.   Contact: Sue Smith or Sara Kuebbling   NOFA Summer Workshops The Northeast Organic Farming Association will be offering numerous summer workshops on everything ranging from basic gardening to raising chickens to bee keeping to storing food.   For more information and a schedule of workshops, you can visit the NOFA website.   Paddle and Pedal Through History WHEN: June 23 - 28, 2009 WHAT: Join the Friends of the Winooski River on the 2nd annual Winooski River Sojourn - a multi-day paddling and biking trip.   You may sign up for the entire trip, multiple days, or just one day.  All meals and camping provided.   Sign up here.   Food, Fuel, and the Future of Farming WHEN: July 24 & 25, 2009 WHERE: Vermont Law School, South Royalton, VT LaPlatte Watershed Partnership Click here for many fine watershed reports.   Addison County Riverwatch Collaborative     The Lewis Creek Association supports and draws inspiration from the principles of the Earth Charter:   I. Respect and Care For the Community of Life II. Ecological Integrity III. Social and Economic Justice IV. Democracy, Non-Violence, and Peace

April 17, 2009 VPR story on Burleigh Project.   March 11, 2009 Charlotte Dairy Farm and Forestland Protected From Development: Local farm business and natural area benefit economy and recreation   The Charlotte Land Trust, the Lewis Creek Association, The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Land Trust today announced the conservation of 201 acres of farmland and forestland in the southern reaches of the Town of Charlotte.   Marty Illick, director of the Lewis Creek Association heard of the pending subdivision of the Burleigh Farm, which is located on Spear Street just south of Prindle Road. “I noticed the surveyors flags and saw the line stretching up through an area of mature wood land,” said Illick. “At the very next opportunity I spoke with the Burleigh family, and impressed on them my belief that there were other options that could not only improve farm viability, but also protect the forestland for future generations.”   By selling a conservation easement on 73 acres, the Burleighs were able to keep the farm in the family and secure its future as a local farm resource.      Miscellaneous Information   Swimming in Streams... It's important to know that some local streams and rivers can have a high E. coli count - particularly if the water appears high or cloudy, or if it's rained a lot in the last 2 days.  There may also be a correlation between extremely low water levels and high bacteria counts.    The State of Vermont considers a single sample of e. coli level of 77 or higher an unacceptable risk.  The number is a calculated derivation of the EPA standard stating that a single sample of 235 or greater is an unacceptable risk..   For more information, read the Guide to Bacterial Monitoring in Vermont Waters.  You can also look at VT LaRosa Lab results for river sampling, 2008   Lewis Creek Water Quality Safety Information   The Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas Project is a great resource for those interested in wildlife habitat management and planning.   They also have great posters of the frogs and salamanders of Vermont!