MONTPELIER, Vt - Anglers, lakeside homeowners, scientists, students, watershed groups, conservation commission members, business owners, and lovers of lakes are invited to attend the 14th annual Vermont Lake Seminar. This daylong seminar is a time to celebrate lakes, learn how to write and submit a successful water quality grant application, and meet leaders from around the state pursing lake restoration projects.

The seminar, organized by the Lakes and Ponds Program of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in conjunction with the Vermont Federation of Lakes and Ponds, will be held on Friday, June 1, 2018 at the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. This year’s theme, “Partners for Healthy Lakes: Exploring Science, Data, and Tools Together,” focuses on how scientific monitoring data can be leveraged to protect and renew Vermont’s lakes. 

During a morning “Lakes 101” session, DEC staff will cover lake ecology and how lakes function within a watershed. The afternoon will offer three different tracks to choose from.

• A Deeper Dive into Lake Science: Through a glimpse into the long-term water quality trends of Vermont lakes, scientists will explore the status of Vermont’s lakes throughout the last 40 years of data collection, unveiling the latest water quality trends.
• Partnerships and Funding Opportunities: Leaders from organizations like the Poultney-Mettowee and the Essex County Natural Resources Conservation District will share how they successfully secured funding to complete water restoration projects in their town and assist attendees in drafting realistic, community-centered project statements to help them successfully receive funding.
• Data and Tools for Lake Protection: Attendees will use public data to inform and plan restoration and conservation actions in their local watershed and learn how to gather their own data.

There’s something for everyone and plenty of opportunity during the day to network with fellow lake leaders from around the state. For a full agenda, presentation overview, and to register, visit the Vermont Federation of Lakes and Ponds website. 

CONTACT

Laura Dlugolecki, Watershed Management Division, Department of Environmental Conservation

laura.dlugolecki@vermont.gov | (802) 490-6133