Author Archives: Alex Connizzo

AVCC is Looking for New Board Members

On the eve of our 35th anniversary, the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC) is looking to add two conservation-minded individuals to our all-volunteer Board of Directors to help govern and guide the organization.  

Specifically, we’re looking for individuals committed to our mission to support Vermont’s existing conservation commissions and encourage the establishment of new ones.  Current or former conservation commission members are especially welcome, but the position is open to anyone with knowledge, experience, interest and/or availability who is looking to make a difference across Vermont.  A more detailed description of the functions of the Board and responsibilities of its members can be found below the break.  

If you or anyone you know might be interested in serving in this capacity, please send an email to the AVCC Board at vtconservation@gmail.com with the subject line “AVCC Board Membership”.  We look forward to improving the reach and impact of our work in 2024, and we hope you’ll join us in these efforts!

AVCC Board of Directors

The Functions of the Board

The Board governs the operation and programs of AVCC including:

  • Long range planning and setting matters of policy not determined by membership;
  • Maintaining and upgrading the organization’s mission, values, and vision;
  • Fiscal management and maintaining accountability to members and donors;
  • Developing, reviewing and approving the annual budget, major program plans, and organizational policies;
  • Ensuring that adequate resources are available to AVCC;
  • Meeting the general standards for Directors under 11B V.S.A. § 8.30;
  • Evaluating the organization’s effectiveness; and
  • Representing the organization to the public.

The Board assumes fiscal and legal accountability for the organization.

Qualifications

A Board member should:

  • Be committed to the vision, mission, goals and programs of AVCC;
  • Have available time to work to advance these goals and programs; and
  • Have experience, knowledge, or interest in one or more of the following: building capacity of conservation commissions, conservation programs, public and community relations

Responsibilities

  • Exemplifies and upholds AVCC’s values;
  • Maintains a working knowledge of AVCC’s finances, operations, and programs;
  • If appointed an officer, fulfills the standards of conduct under 11B V.S.A. § 8.42;
  • Faithfully attends and prepares for Board and committee meetings;
  • Fully and openly participates in Board and committee deliberations
    • Questions with an open and curious mind;
    • Respects, listens and learns from others;
    • Maintains independence and objectivity;
    • Advocates according to conviction; and
    • Strives toward consensus and respects majority decisions
  • Actively collaborates in the creation of program strategies

Board Terms

Directors appointed by Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) serve five-year terms.  Directors elected by AVCC membership serve three-year terms. There are no term limits.

Board Meetings

Full Board meetings will be held at dates and locations to be determined by the Board. The Board currently meets virtually for 90 minutes on the first Tuesday of every month.

Confidentiality

Board members should keep information learned during the course of AVCC activities in confidence when the information concerns the administration and activities of the organization and is not generally available to the public. No Board member shall obligate AVCC financially or publicly to an issue or program without prior authorization by the full Board.

Conflict of Interest

Board members are governed by the statutory conflict of interest policy described in 11B V.S.A. § 8.31. Board members must endeavor to conduct all activities in such a way that no conflict or appearances of conflict will arise between other interests and the policies, operations, and interests of AVCC. Activities that conflict or appear to conflict and cannot be avoided shall be brought to the attention of the Board at the earliest opportunity.

2023 Conservation Summit: Elevating Local Successes

Thanks to everyone for another fantastic Conservation Summit! Our 2023 virtual summit and annual meeting was held on Thursday, October 19th. During the meeting, we recognized and appreciated Nancy Jones’ over 20 years of dedicated service to the Board, and announced that she will not be seeking another term. After a brief financial snapshot of AVCC, we heard an overview of the recently passed 30 x 30 law (H.126, or Act 59) in Vermont and the work that lies ahead in its implementation. It was wonderful to hear from members of Conservation Commissions in 7 communities across Vermont who have received AVCC Tiny Grants to support their work in the past. Thank you to the Conservation Commission members from Bolton, Hartford, Jericho, Johnson, Monkton, Richford, and Shrewsbury, who shared their important work with us. 

Presentations from the 2023 Conservation Summit: Elevating Local Successes, 10/19/23

AVCC Announces 2023 Tiny Grant Recipients

The Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC) is pleased to announce that this year’s Tiny Grant funding will support projects directed by the conservation commissions in Bolton, Jericho, Putney and Richford.

The Tiny Grants program provides seed money or matching funds to conservation commissions for land conservation, education and outreach, stewardship and management, and planning activities. Conservation commissions are non-regulatory bodies designed to advise planning commissions and select boards on natural resources issues.

Here are more details about the winning projects:

Bolton – Funding will allow the commission to construct a 70′ raised boardwalk on the primary access trail to the 403-acre Preston Pond Conservation Area that will reduce trail degradation and maintain beaver habitat. The boardwalk, which will be built by town volunteers, will make the trail accessible year-round.

Jericho – Looking to build on a project started in 2022, the commission will use Tiny Grant funds to expand the pollinator garden in front of Town Hall and install fencing to prevent soil compaction. The JCC will also conduct an educational campaign to inform residents and visitors about the ecological importance of trees in the life cycle of insects, birds, and other native species.

Putney – Funds will be used to purchase special girdling knives and uprooter tools to remove buckthorn from trails in the 50-acre East Putney Forest Block. Once the trails are restored, the commission plans to highlight the conservation value of this parcel, which serves as an important wildlife corridor connecting forested land on either side of Route 5.

Richford – The commission will use its Tiny Grant to purchase flowering shrubs, trees, wildflower seeds, and mulch as it partners with students at Richford Elementary School to create a pollinator garden and raise broader awareness in the community of the benefits of wildlife-friendly native plants.

AVCC also proudly supports the work of conservation commissions by hosting an annual summit for community volunteers engaged in planning and caring for Vermont’s natural resources. As with the past few years, AVCC will be hosting a virtual summit in 2023. More details – including the date and agenda for that event – to follow.

To stay in the loop about conservation initiatives happening near you, or to share your events with other conservation commissions, subscribe to our listserv by emailing vtconservation+subscribe@googlegroups.com.

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2022 Conservation Summit: Resilient Communities and Landscapes

Thanks to everyone for another fantastic Conservation Summit!

Presentations from the 2022 Conservation Summit: Resilient Communities and Landscapes, 10/15/22

2021 Conservation Summit: Caring for the Land

Thanks to everyone who organized, presented and attended our 2021 summit! Though the COVID pandemic again forced us to go entirely virtual, we were nonetheless able to meet and immerse ourselves in several interesting and related topics. In her opening session, Judy Dow set the scene of “going through the Narrows” as a metaphor for the path ahead in a world of changing climate and helped us focus ourselves on this journey and the path ahead. Then, Dr. Bill Keaton addressed the caring for the land theme with “Carbon Friendly Forests and Forestry” breaking out the key points landowners and conservationists need to know about the basics of carbon forestry and carbon markets. From there, Lynn McNamara and Zapata Courage delved into “Balancing Recreation and Ecological Goals” in our land management with wonderful insights into wetland management and examples from The Nature Conservancy’s stewardship of Raven Ridge. Alicia Daniels took us “On the Trail of Wildlife with a Vermont Master Naturalist” and we were able to do a virtual hike to Raven Ridge understanding the same place with a different lens as she addressed how appreciation of the landscape helps bring people to manage it with love and respect. Lastly, Judy Dow offered the keynote address, bringing together all these themes and engaging participants in a lively discussion. Many thanks to our presenters, sponsors, and participants and especially to Judy Dow for her leadership in this effort!

AVCC’s 2021 Tiny Grants Fund Conservation Projects Across Vermont

June 14, 2021 — The Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC) is pleased to award 2021 Tiny Grants to conservation commissions in the following towns: Bradford, Dummerston, Hartford, Hinesburg, Huntington, Johnson, and Shrewsbury. 

Tiny Grants is an AVCC initiative that provides seed money or matching funds to conservation commissions for land conservation, education and outreach, stewardship and management, and planning activities. Conservation commissions are non-regulatory bodies designed to advise planning commissions and select boards on natural resources issues.

Grantees will receive between $300 and $600 to improve trails on conserved lands, document wildlife activity with trail cameras, eradicate invasive plants, encourage plant and wildlife biodiversity, and educate communities.

“Our grants may be ‘tiny’, but their impact is not,” said Mark Nelson, AVCC Board Chair. “These funds help conservation commissions accomplish on-the-ground projects to protect natural resources, while engaging their communities in this vital work.”

2021 Tiny Grants details:

Bradford – The Bradford Conservation Commission will use its Tiny Grant to purchase materials for trailside benches in the Bradford Town Forest.

Dummerston – The Dummerston Conservation Commission will use its Tiny Grant to attract Monarch Butterflies by planting swamp milkweed & educating the public about how to care for this species.

Hartford – The Hartford Conservation Commission will use its Tiny Grant on training and data analysis around an amphibian road crossing project.

Hinesburg – The Hinesburg Conservation Commission will use its Tiny Grant to purchase seeds and plants, and rent equipment, to create a pollinator garden.

Huntington – The Huntington Conservation Commission will use its Tiny Grant to mitigate Japanese knotweed at strategic sites.

Johnson – The Johnson Conservation Commission will use its Tiny Grant to update educational videos about the Emerald Ash Borer.

Shrewsbury – The Shrewsbury Conservation Commission will use its Tiny Grant to purchase game cameras to survey roadside wildlife crossings.

AVCC also proudly supports the work of conservation commissions by hosting an annual summit for community volunteers engaged in planning and caring for Vermont’s natural resources. AVCC will be offering its 2021 summit online. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.

To stay in the loop about conservation initiatives happening near you, or to share your events with other conservation commissions, subscribe to our listserv by emailing vtconservation+subscribe@googlegroups.com.

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