Have you heard about all the non-native invasive species in Lake Champlain? These include 51 species of plants, animals, and pathogens that were introduced to the Lake Champlain Basin.  Some were planted because they had pretty flowers. Others got here through ballast or bilge water from boats.

August 31st, 2025 marked the end of Lewis Creek Association’s (LCA’s) sixth boat launch steward program season at Bristol and Monkton Ponds. The two ponds saw many visitors throughout the summer months, from anglers to recreational boaters to wildlife enthusiasts, making them ideal locations to educate the public about aquatic invasive species (AIS).

The sudden appearance of fifty-foot tall dead tree trunks along the LaPlatte River on the east side of Silver Street and over two dozen trees planted north of the recreation field behind Hinesburg Town Hall in the fall of 2024, are part of a decade long effort by the Lewis Creek Association (LCA) to improve the quality of the LaPlatte River as it flows thru Hinesburg village.

For yet another summer, volunteers of all ages hopped in kayaks and canoes to remove European frogbit, a non-native invasive plant species that spreads rapidly in bays and wetlands if given the opportunity. In 2007, Lewis Creek Association (LCA) initiated the “Water Quality Stewardship Program” and has since worked annually to manage the invasive plants and water quality of the rivers and streams that drain directly into Lake Champlain.

A grant from the state Clean Water fund (through the Clean Water Service Provider in the Otter Creek-Lewis Creek basin) allowed Lewis Creek Association (LCA) to hire engineers from SLR Consulting to design a fix for the road leading to Common Ground Center in Starksboro. Once constructed, this fix will decrease the erosion occurring on a section of the privately owned portion of Tatro Road.

Aquatic invasive plant species (AIS) have long threatened the health and populations of native plants in the Lewis Creek watershed. Terrestrial non-native invasive plants also create hazards by altering erosion patterns, out-competing native species, and impacting water quality.

Non-native invasive plant species have long threatened the health of ecosystems, wildlife habitat, and populations of native plants in the Lewis Creek watershed.

September 15th marked the end of Lewis Creek Association’s (LCA) boat launch steward program at Bristol and Monkton Ponds.

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, LCA, along with Jessica Louisos, Water Resources Engineer at SLR Consulting, held a hands on workshop at the fork of Sunset Lane East and West.

For yet another summer, volunteers of all ages hopped in kayaks and canoes to remove European frogbit.

On the beautiful fall morning of Saturday, October 19, 2024, about ten local residents including Hinesburg Conservation Commission members joined Lewis Creek Association (LCA) for a tree planting.

On Saturday, September 7, 2024, about fifteen local residents and town staff joined Lewis Creek Association (LCA) for a part-day workshop.