In collaboration with The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Lake Champlain Sea Grant hosted a series of regional webinars in early 2026 to provide information about statewide and local efforts to address flooding in Vermont. The focus of these webinars was to provide information about Vermont’s Flood Safety Act, which is designed to address flood risk through a watershed-wide approach. The information provided was meant to help towns and community members understand what the implementation of statewide river corridor protections means for their town and provide time to answer questions related to the Act.
How to Avoid Damage from Flooding
This recorded webinar provides municipalities and communities with ways to avoid the increasing risks of flooding to vulnerable residents, to protect community services, and to maintain safe and prosperous communities.
Speaker: Ned Swanberg, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Floodplain Manager, and the intended audience is Municipal Officials.
How to Navigate Flood Resiliency Funding in Vermont
In this recorded webinar, learn about case studies of flood mitigation projects funded through the FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs as well as Vermont’s new Flood Resilient Communities Fund (FRCF) program. The video helps viewers think about potential projects to reduce flood risk in their communities and learn about funding opportunities.
Speaker: Stephanie Smith, State Hazard Mitigation Officer with Vermont Emergency Management, and the intended audience is Vermont Municipal Officials.
Smart Communities Program: Engaging your community in action
The Smart Communities program helps local governments in New York State take action to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to changing weather. Some benefits of the program include: free technical assistance and better positioning to compete on grant applications for some state funding programs.
Local government leaders in New York State and community members eager to be involved are welcome! In this one-hour webinar, you will get an overview of the program and hear first-hand experience from the City of Plattsburgh’s climate task force.
Speakers: Carlie Leary, of Adirondack North Country Association & Climate Smart Communities Coordinator in the North Country, and Rachelle Armstrong, of City of Plattsburgh’s Climate Task Force Coordinator