Green Mountain Club director tells Senate committee Long Trail is 98% legally protected; about 4.5 miles remain Molly Flanagan, director of land conservation at the Green Mountain Club, told the Senate Institutions committee the 272-mile Long Trail is now 98% legally protected after four decades of work; roughly 4.5 miles across about 14 private parcels remain without formal protection. GMC reported recent project completions and said it has no funding request this session.

The Long Trail is now 98% legally protected, but 4.5 miles still hang in the balance—what's at stake for Vermont's cherished landscape?

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#VT #RecreationalAccess #CitizenPortal #VermontConservation #LandProtection #CommunityEfforts

Serve Learn Earn coalition asks committee for $500,000 more in base funding to restore conservation and ag workforce programs Kate Gluckman of Vermont Works for Women and coalition partners (Audubon Vermont, VYCC/Vermont Youth Conservation Corps) told the committee Serve Learn Earn served nearly 550 participants last year and requested an additional $500,000 in base funding (to total $1 million) to sustain training, stipends and service projects across forestry, habitat and food-security programs.

Vermont's Serve Learn Earn coalition is seeking an extra $500,000 to boost vital training programs that empower youth and strengthen our communities through conservation and sustainable agriculture.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #FoodSecurity #VermontConservation #SustainableAgriculture

Vermont conservation districts ask lawmakers for $948,200 to sustain locally led farm assistance and leverage federal grants Michelle Monroe and county conservation district managers told the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, & Forestry panel that $948,200 in state support would sustain operations that historically help districts leverage roughly $9 in federal or project funding per state dollar; they described projects from veterans incubator farms to chestnut agroforestry and an EPA PFOA proposal.

Vermont's conservation districts are urging lawmakers for $948,200 to sustain vital assistance for local farms that can unlock an impressive $9 in federal funding for every state dollar invested.

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#VT #ClimateAdaptation #CitizenPortal #LocalFunding #VermontConservation

Bull Creek Common Lands describes 341‑acre headwaters conservation with VHCB support Hannah Regier told the committee a three‑year Bull Creek Headwaters project conserved 341 acres, cost $950,000, and received about $315,000 from VHCB; the trust emphasized public access, wetland protection and local restoration work with NRCS.

A groundbreaking conservation project in Vermont has successfully protected 341 acres of vital headwater forests and wetlands, ensuring public access and ecological restoration for future generations.

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#VT #WetlandProtection #CitizenPortal #VermontConservation #PublicAccess

Conservation districts ask Vermont committee to build modest base funding to leverage federal grants The Vermont Association of Conservation Districts told the Natural Resources & Energy committee Feb. 13 it seeks $948,200 in state support (including prior one‑time funds) to sustain staff and locally led projects that leverage federal NRCS funding and enable dam removals, stormwater work and septic assistance.

Vermont's conservation districts are urging for a crucial funding boost of $948,200 to continue their impactful projects and leverage millions in federal grants.

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#VT #EnvironmentalSustainability #CitizenPortal #FederalFunding #VermontConservation #CommunitySupport

Regional planners and conservation groups back extensions, outline technical fixes to Act 181 rollout Representatives of regional planning commissions and conservation organizations told lawmakers they support extensions to interim exemptions and recommended statutory tweaks—faster amendment authority, clearer mapping criteria, and more public outreach—to keep Act 181 implementation responsive.

Vermont's regional planners and conservationists are calling for streamlined processes to ensure Act 181 is implemented effectively and responsively in local communities.

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#VT #LandUseRegulations #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #VermontConservation #EnvironmentalProtection

Stakeholders urge delay in Vermont’s Act 181 implementation, warn of regulatory gaps Regional planners, municipal leaders and conservation groups told the Natural Resources & Energy committee that implementing Act 181 now risks regulatory gaps and stranded housing projects; they urged extensions to interim Act 250 exemptions and a pause on the road rule and Tier 3 until rulemaking and outreach are complete.

Vermont's housing future hangs in the balance as officials warn that rushing Act 181 could create regulatory gaps that stifle development.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #VermontConservation #RegulatoryReform #HousingDevelopment

Audubon Vermont backs permitting reforms but urges targeted, not blanket, use of "Stony Brook" screening An Audubon Vermont representative told a committee the permitting report offers useful reforms for forestry processing but warned against automatically applying the report's recommended "Stony Brook" screening to all projects, urging front-end guidance and technical assistance instead.

Audubon Vermont is advocating for sensible forestry permitting reforms while cautioning against a one-size-fits-all approach that could hinder small projects and bird conservation efforts.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #SustainableForestry #WildlifeProtection #VermontConservation

Conservation district urges committee to study public‑bank models alongside green‑bank options Jennifer Byrne of the White River Natural Resources Conservation District told the committee that Vermont should examine public‑banking models in parallel with green banks, explaining how public banks can keep deposits local and create revolving credit to support long‑term conservation and agricultural investments.

Vermont is urged to explore public banking alongside green banks to enhance local investments and support vital conservation efforts.

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#VT #PublicBanking #LocalInvestment #CitizenPortal #VermontConservation #GreenEconomy

NRCS staffing cuts slow Vermont conservation, districts ask state for $2 million Vermont conservation district leaders told lawmakers that NRCS staffing fell by nearly half this year, hobbling engineering, wetlands and watershed projects; districts have repurposed staff but estimate roughly $2 million in state funding will be needed in FY27 to restore essential planning and engineering capacity.

Vermont's conservation efforts are in jeopardy as NRCS staffing plummets nearly 50%, leaving crucial flood and wetland projects stranded.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalPlanning #VermontConservation #StaffingChallenges #FloodResilience

Vermont House and Senate approve Mollie Beattie Distinguished Service Award legislation Vermont establishes the Mollie Beattie Award for conservation contributions starting July 1, 2025.

Vermont is honoring conservation heroes with the new Mollie Beattie Award, set to launch in 2025!

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#VT #CitizenPortal #VermontConservation #SustainabilityInitiatives #CommunityEngagement #EnvironmentalAwareness

Vermont conservation groups warn of AmeriCorps funding cuts impacting youth programs Vermont organizations face potential $2 million loss in AmeriCorps funding for youth services.

Vermont's vital AmeriCorps programs are on the brink of a $2 million funding cut, jeopardizing youth support and conservation efforts across the state.

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#VT #EnvironmentalStewardship #FundingCrisis #YouthEmpowerment #CitizenPortal #VermontConservation

Council discusses updating language in conservation and sustainability initiative Council members debate revisions to language about partnerships in conservation efforts.

Vermont's Senate committee is debating crucial language changes to honor all contributors to conservation efforts, sparking passionate discussions over the inclusion of "or partner."

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#VT #PublicLands #LegislativeReform #CitizenPortal #SustainabilityEfforts #VermontConservation

Orleans County seeks increased federal funding to support local conservation efforts Local officials push for higher base funding to enhance Orleans County conservation projects.

Vermont's Senate Agriculture Committee is pushing for a dramatic increase in conservation funding from $612,000 to $3 million to protect local initiatives and communities.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #VermontConservation #LocalConservation

Vermont conservation projects at risk due to $4.75M funding freeze Vermont faces funding disruptions impacting conservation projects and services for farmers.

Vermont's vital conservation projects are hanging by a thread as a $4.75 million funding freeze threatens to halt critical initiatives for farmers and the environment.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalStewardship #VermontConservation #FundingChallenges #SustainableAgriculture

Broughton town seeks fair pilot payments for land and forest valuation Town discusses pilot payments and land valuation discrepancies during community meeting.

Vermont lawmakers are grappling with the fairness of pilot payments for land conservation, raising critical questions that could reshape local economies and environmental efforts.

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#VT #EquitablePayments #CitizenPortal #LocalEconomies #VermontConservation #LandValuation

Vermont Bill Allows Land Donation to Department of Forest and Parks Without Tax Penalty New legislation permits seamless land donations for forest management without land use tax penalties.

Vermont is paving the way for landowners to donate their forest land for conservation without the burden of tax penalties, a game-changer for sustainable management!

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#VT #CitizenPortal #EcologicalPreservation #VermontConservation #SustainableLandManagement #CommunityBenefits