How Do We Make These Plantings Happen?

Planning

Every planting project takes quite a bit of time to plan. We work with landowners along streams or rivers to plan the planting area, select the tree and shrub species, and develop a written agreement. Landowners commit to allowing the planting area to naturalize -- that means it is not landscaped, it is not mowed, it is allowed to become a natural area -- and to not cut down the trees we plant for 15 years. This all has to be set up by late fall, when we have to place our orders with the nurseries for the following year. 

Funding

Over the years, we have secured grant funding for our riparian restoration program from a variety of sources, often combining more than one funding source per planting site. This enables us to provide all of the planning, plants, tools, supplies, and labor for planting projects so that there is no cost to the landowner. 

These include:

• State of Vermont Clean Water Funds
• US Fish & Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife
• Lake Champlain Basin Program
• State of Vermont Watershed Grant program and Ecosystem Restoration Program
• Lake Champlain Tributaries Fund via the Vermont Community Foundation
• Cabot Creamery
• Pur Projet
• National Fish & Wildlife Foundation 
• Arbor Day Foundation
• 350VT

Volunteers

Hundreds of volunteers turn out every year to help us put trees in the ground. 

Local businesses that have sponsored volunteer planting days include SunCommon, National Life Group, Cabot Creamery, Ben & Jerry’s, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Scout troops, church groups, many schools, and individual volunteers have also pitched in.

We would love to have you join us as a volunteer!