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Water Quality
The LCA formalized a water quality monitoring relationship with
three other watershed groups this year to form the Addison County
River Watch Collaborative. Levels of E. coli bacteria once
again were
found to be above the state standard at many sites. In addition,
total phosphorus was measured, and unusually high levels were found
in certain areas. Six feature news stories, including the
publication of data, generated a great deal of interest in this
important activity.
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The LCA contributed some funding for the
construction of a bridge for cows and equipment over Lewis Creek at
the Leslie Rublee farm in Starksboro. Sizable decreases in bacteria
were noted downstream from this site during the summer. |
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Education
Students of Champlain Valley Union (CVU) and Mt.
Abraham High Schools continued their data gathering of biological
and chemical indicators of water quality with support from the LCA.
CVU students again presented their test results to Lewis Creek
community representatives. The LCA helped arrange a day for Mt.
Abraham Union 10th graders at The Watershed Center in Bristol, where
they learned about water quality, forestry management, amphibians,
mapping and other topics from experts in their respective fields.
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Three watershed towns participated in a community
profiling and networking program led by Deila Clark of Antioch
College. The LCA hoped to implement the projects there were
developed at that event. |
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Wildlife Habitat
Wildlife Trackers continued to learn
about habitats and travel corridors for wildlife. The LCA provided
many opportunities for trackers to gather and document sign of
wildlife species in their neighborhoods, especially bear, bobcat,
fisher, mink, moose and river otter. On the spring equinox, amidst a
snowstorm, trackers shared information they had compiled regarding
wildlife road crossings from mid-February to mid-March. The road
crossing observations for this season have already begun and will
continue through the spring equinox next year.
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Educations programs for trackers included a climb up
Mt. Florona in Monkton. This event was led by experienced local
trackers Pete Aube and Dave Brown in conjunction with the LCA's
annual gathering in September. An inspiring program about the black
bear in Vermont was presented by Nancy Bell at the Lewis Creek
tracker's gathering on Oct. 30. |
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Newsletter
In the Kingfisher newsletter this year, we
paid tribute to more than 5000 volunteers and contributors who have
helped keep this organization going over the past eight years.
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Virginia Farley, Champlain Valley Director of the
Vermont Land Trust, spoke at the 8th Annual Gathering of the Lewis
Creek Community in September. |
