Lake Champlain Sea Grant

2027 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Informational Webinar
2026-04-08 10:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom – registration required
Join us on April 8, 2026, at 10 AM Eastern for an informational webinar about the 2027 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship.
Please join the Lake Champlain Sea Grant director, Anne Jefferson, and Fellowship Coordinator, Jessie Curl for this informal Q&A to discuss the Knauss Fellowship opportunity. In this Q&A, you can ask questions about the application process, timeline, past fellows’ experiences, the matching process, or anything else you’re thinking about as you consider applying for this opportunity.
Registration is required for this meeting. Please register by clicking this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.

End of season road salt debrief - municipal road foremen and highway supervisors
2026-04-22 11:00 - 12:30 | UVM Aiken Forestry Lab Conference Room, 705 Spear St, South Burlington, Vermont
Road foremen and highway supervisors are invited to an end-of-season gathering to debrief on how the winter went, share stories about sustainable salting practices, and discuss what worked well—and what didn’t. We’ll also review a few new resources related to sustainable winter maintenance. In-person and remote attendance is possible. Please register here. There is no cost to attend.
This event will take place at the Aiken Forestry Lab conference room on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM at 705 Spear St, South Burlington, VT.
(Note: There is also a commercial salt applicator / private contractor-focused debrief on the same date starting at 1 PM. This 11 AM session is targeted to municipal road foremen and highway supervisors.)
Once you register, Kris Stepenuck will invite you to the meeting that will include a Teams meeting link to join if you have selected to join remotely.

End of season road salt debrief - Commercial Salt Applicators
2026-04-22 13:00 - 14:00 | UVM Aiken Forestry Lab Conference Room, 705 Spear St, South Burlington, Vermont
Private contractors & commercial salt applicators are invited to an end-of-season gathering to debrief how the winter went, share stories about sustainable salting practices, and discuss what worked well—and what didn’t. We’ll also review a few new resources related to sustainable winter maintenance. In-person and remote attendance is possible. Please register here. There is no cost to attend.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.

Waterfront Cleanup
2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:00
Join us Saturday, April 25, on the Burlington Waterfront for a Cleanup
To celebrate Earth Week, led by the Rozalia Project, the Lake Champlain Basin Marine Debris Coalition is hosting a waterfront cleanup in Burlington. The cleanup begins at 10:00 AM. Debris sorting, counting, and identification begins at 11:30 AM.
Please register using this link.
Meet at either the Community Sailing Center (505 Lake St, Burlington) or at Waterfront Park (10 College St, Burlington) to participate. Gloves, buckets, and trash grabbers will be provided.

Research Webinar: Nutrient Loading from Headwater Streams in the Lake Champlain Basin: Quantifying High-Flow Events
2026-04-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom – registration required
LCSG’s final 2026 Spring Research Webinar will feature a presentation from Alex Amann from SUNY Plattsburgh.
Rapid shifts in water quality during episodic high-flow events can disproportionately affect annual nutrient loading from forested headwater catchments. In the Northeastern United States, observed increases in total and extreme precipitation over the past century – trends expected to intensify with ongoing climate change – raise concerns about how these events drive watershed nutrient fluxes. In recent decades, several flooding events in the Lake Champlain Basin (LCB) of NY/VT have been associated with acute deterioration of lake water quality and traditional long-term sampling regimes may underestimate episodic contributions. We are collecting and analyzing high-flow event stream water from four LCB headwater catchments in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. These catchments vary principally in their forest management history and age, occupying a spectrum from recently harvested timberland to old growth forest. Our focus is on total and dissolved forms of nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as major cations and anions. Of particular interest is determining precipitation thresholds required to activate strong nutrient export responses, as well as how the timing and magnitude of these exports varies in each of the catchments during a specific event. This study will contribute to ongoing efforts to refine watershed nutrient budgets and inform nonpoint source pollution mitigation strategies that address downstream water quality issues such as eutrophication under variable hydroclimatic regimes.
Participants should expect approximately 30 minutes of presentation, which will be recorded, followed by a facilitated, 30-minute Q&A period.
Register in advance for this webinar.
To request a disability-related accommodation to participate in any of these webinars, please contact Lake Champlain Sea Grant / Jessie Curl or seagrant@uvm.edu no later than three weeks before your chosen date so we can assist you.

The Flood Safety Act and Beyond: Statewide and Local Efforts to Address Flooding in Rutland and Addison Counties
2026-04-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom – registration required
Join regional organizations for a discussion on Wednesday, April 29th at 6:00 pm to hear about actions the state and local organizations are taking to reduce flood risk and protect our communities.
This event will also provide information on Vermont’s Flood Safety Act, which is designed to address flood risk through a watershed-wide approach. Planning for resilience now is crucial in preventing further loss of life and property in future storms. This event will 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.
All community members are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Please register in advance of this meeting, and a link to join will be provided to your email.
Agenda:
6:00pm – Background, details, and timeline of the Flood Safety Act,
6:35pm – Short presentations from local organizations working on flood resilience and water quality projects,
7:15pm – Q&A,
7:30pm – End.
Register for this online conversation here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/le4E0U_USfWz7-7HQ-2jdA
Partner organizations for this event include: Poultney Mettowee and Rutland Natural Resources Conservation Districts, Rutland and Addison County Regional Planning Commissions, The Nature Conservancy, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, and Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.

International Plastic Pellet Count in Plattsburgh
2026-05-02 10:00 - 11:30
Sign up to join Lake Champlain Sea Grant, the Lake Champlain Basin Marine Debris Coalition, and other statewide, national, and global environmental groups for the Second Annual International Plastic Pellet Count!
International Plastic Pellet Count is a global day of action and month-long effort each May, where volunteers around the world search for plastic pellets on riverbanks, lakeshores, and beaches. Participants record what they find to build a clearer picture of pollution that is often invisible, unregulated, and underreported. That information is then used to inform strong policies and regulations.
Meet us at the Plattsburgh City Beach (near the Cabana Beach Bar)
Please register using this link.

Session One - Resilient Sites: Managing Stormwater Runoff with Infiltration Basins
2026-05-04 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom – registration required
Learn tangible, hands-on skills for managing stormwater and reducing runoff
In this FREE workshop, you’ll discover how to reduce runoff, improve water quality, and create more flood-resilient sites. While aimed at contractors, earth-movers, and natural resource pros, all students —from homeowners to trail builders—will walk away with the skills to tackle stormwater challenges on residential sites. This is a hybrid training with online components followed by a hands-on in-person training.
Learn more and register by clicking here.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.

Session Two - Resilient Sites: Managing Stormwater Runoff with Infiltration Basins
2026-05-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom – registration required

In-Person Training for Resilient Sites: Managing Stormwater Runoff with Infiltration Basins
2026-05-12 13:00 - 17:00 | 7865 Main Street, Waitsfield, VT, 7865 Main Street, Waitsfield, VT
Learn tangible, hands-on skills for managing stormwater and reducing runoff
In this FREE workshop, you’ll discover how to reduce runoff, improve water quality, and create more flood-resilient sites. While aimed at contractors, earth-movers, and natural resource pros, all students —from homeowners to trail builders—will walk away with the skills to tackle stormwater challenges on residential sites. This is a hands-on, in-person training. Participants should register & attend the online components (offered on May 4 and May 7) before attending the in-person training.
Learn more and register by clicking here.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.

World Fish Migration Day
2026-05-23 10:00 - 16:00 | Noblewood Park, Willsboro, NY
Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 10 AM – 4 PM
Meet members of the Boquet River Association and our St Regis Canoe Outfitters Guides at 10 AM at the community center at Noblewood Park. Shuttles to the put-in at Gililland Park, canoes, kayaks, and instruction provided!
All ages and abilities are welcome.
We will follow the route of a migrating salmon – you might even see one! – and paddle the scenic Boquet River back to Noblewood for food and activities for a free, fun-for-the-whole-family day!

Shaping the Next Generation of Great Lakes Spill Responders
2026-05-27 12:00 - 13:00
Responding to oil spills in the Great Lakes brings unique challenges. Response tools and techniques are rapidly evolving, and our understanding of how oil impacts the freshwater environment is changing as research expands. The GLCOE aims to help prepare the next generation of spill responders through an internship program with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, various workshops, and community outreach events.
Register by clicking here.
Presenter: Allison Snider, civilian research scientist, U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes Oil Spill Center of Expertise (GLCOE)

GEMS Stormwater Open House
2026-06-04 16:00 - 17:00 | Georgia Elementary & Middle School, 4416 Rt. 7, Georgia, VT, 05478, United States
Join LCC and students at Georgia Elementary & Middle School for a site tour of the school’s gravel wetland!
Where: Georgia Elementary & Middle School – 4416 Rt. 7, Georgia, VT 05478 – Front lawn area facing Rt. 7 near the welcome sign
When: Thursday, June 4, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
What: LCC has partnered with students in the Cultivating Pathways leadership group at GEMS to learn about, teach about, and enhance the gravel wetland that was constructed on their campus last summer through Vermont Green Schools. We learned about stormwater, native plants, effective communication strategies, how gravel wetlands work, and shared what we learned with students in the elementary school. We are excited to share the culmination of much of our work from the school year with the unveiling of the native plant landscaping design and the interpretive sign we designed with local partners.
RSVPs not necessary; please contact Eileen at eileenf@lakechamplaincommittee.org or (802) 659-1461 with questions.
Thank you to partners involved in this project: The Lake Champlain Sea Grant, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Shelburne Farms, Maddocks Landscaping, Greenleaf Designs, the amazing educators and personnel at GEMS who helped make this happen, including Karen Lehning, Scott Thompson, Eric Hadd, Jeff Hamel, and the third and fourth grade educator team.
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement (LC00A01526) to NEIWPCC in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program.

Aquaculture in Vermont and New England: A Community Conversation
2026-06-08 14:30 - 16:30 | Hotel Vermont, 41 Cherry Street, Burlington, Vermont, 05401
Join Lake Champlain Sea Grant and partners for Aquaculture in Vermont and New England: A Community Conversation will bring together agency partners, producers, chefs, researchers, educators, and community members for an informal discussion about the current and future role of aquaculture in Vermont and the broader region. Although Vermont’s aquaculture sector is small, there is growing regional interest in fish culture, aquaponics, shellfish and seaweed farming, land-based production systems, local seafood markets, and circular food systems. This event will include brief presentations on regional aquaculture trends, Vermont hatcheries and aquatic resource considerations, aquaponics, and local seafood markets, followed by a moderated panel and audience discussion. Participants are welcome to continue informal conversations afterward at Juniper.
Register by Clicking here
Date: Monday, June 8
Location: Hotel Vermont, 41 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05401
Time: Formal program: 2:30–4:30 PM
Informal arrival and networking begins at 2:15 PM
Tentative Agenda
2:15–2:30 PM — Arrival and informal networking
2:30–2:40 PM — Welcome and framing remarks
Welcome, purpose of the event, and acknowledgment of Hotel Vermont.
2:40–2:55 PM — Aquaculture in Vermont and the region: Regional context and local possibilities – John Brawley, Lake Champlain Sea Grant
Brief overview of aquaculture in our region, Vermont’s current small aquaculture footprint, and possible future directions.
2:55–3:15 PM — Hatcheries, fish health, regulations, and Vermont’s aquatic resources – Tom Jones and Paige Blaker, Vermont Fish & Wildlife
Fish culture systems, hatcheries, aquatic resource protection, species movement, fish health, biosecurity, and Vermont regulatory considerations for aquaculture operations.
3:15–3:35 PM — Aquaponics and circular food systems in Vermont – Holly Counter-Beaver, Finn and Roots
A producer perspective on aquaponics, integrated food production, market opportunities, operational realities, and lessons learned in Vermont.
3:35–3:50 PM — Local seafood, restaurants, and consumer perspectives – Doug Paine, Westport Hospitality/Hotel Vermont
Chef/restaurant perspective on sourcing, quality, consumer perceptions, and the role restaurants can play in seafood education.
3:50–4:30 PM — Moderated panel and audience discussion
Presenters and invited panelists.
Afterward – Informal conversation at Juniper
Participants are welcome to continue the conversation at Juniper.

Community Waterfront Cleanup - Downtown Winooski
2026-06-13 10:00 - 12:00 | 20 Winooski Falls Way, 20 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski, VT
Join us and the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) on Saturday, June 13th, for a waterfront cleanup in Winooski! We will meet at 20 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski at 10:00 AM. The trash tally will start at 11:30 AM.
Gloves, buckets, and grabbers will be provided, but if you have supplies, please bring them. Don’t forget a water bottle and sunscreen!
Click here to register

Potentially Polluting Shipwrecks in the Great Lakes
2026-06-17 12:00 - 13:00
In 2013, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published its comprehensive “Risk Assessment for Potentially Polluting Wrecks in U.S. Waters,” which identified five potentially polluting shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. One of these five shipwrecks, the tank barge Argo that sank in 1937 in Lake Erie, loaded with a toxic high-benzene cargo, was found to be leaking soon after its discovery in 2015.
This webinar will discuss the multi-agency response to the leaking tank barge Argo and the challenges responders faced in successfully removing the pollution threat and protecting public safety. The four remaining potentially polluting wrecks identified in NOAA’s report will also be discussed, including the freighter Prins Willem V at a depth of about 75-feet off the coast of Milwaukee and the freighter Material Service at a depth of about 35-feet off Calumet Harbor in Lake Michigan; the freighter Monrovia at a depth of about 140-feet off Thunder Bay in Lake Huron; and the Edmund Fitzgerald at a depth of about 530-feet off Whitefish Bay in Lake Superior. Advances in technology and the techniques of recovering oil and pollutants at depth will also be presented.
Click here to register.
Presenter: Jim Elliott, Chief Operating Officer, T&T Group of Companies

Flood Preparedness Workshop
2026-06-27 17:00 - 19:00
Learn about how to prepare for future flooding and strategies you can take at home to prevent damage from flooding. This workshop will cover where to access emergency alerts, practical steps for preventing flood damage, and safe cleanup practices to prevent mold growth after a flood. We will also discuss the science behind flooding and drought in our region and how we can plan to adapt to future conditions. This meeting will be offered online and in person at the Islamic Society of Vermont. It is requested that those attending in person wear long sleeves, socks, and hair coverings.
When: Saturday, June 27th, 5-7pm
Where: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88606750852

Cyanobacteria-focused Education Trip on Lake Champlain for Science Writers and Media
2026-07-07 10:00 - 12:00
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 7, from 10 AM–12 PM
Location: 3 College St, Burlington, VT (on the south side of the Rubenstein Ecosystem Sciences/ECHO building). Please note that parking there requires an hourly payment.

A trip aboard the R/V Marcelle Melosira will be offered for science writers and media from across the Lake Champlain Basin on July 7 from 10:00 AM to noon. This trip on Lake Champlain will focus on cyanobacteria blooms and will include short presentations by several leading researchers in the Lake Champlain Basin about the status of cyanobacteria blooms in the lake and other waterbodies in the Basin.
There will be an opportunity for the trip participants to engage in one-on-one interviews with the researchers and a hands-on activity/demonstration (challenge by choice) to sample the lake water and see some of the cyanobacteria up close through microscopes connected to a large screen display in the classroom aboard the R/V.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Click here to register

Small BMP Installation Training: Open Top Culvert Build & Install
2026-07-08 09:00 - 14:00 | 47 Black Woods Road, Franklin, VT, 47 Black Woods Road, Franklin, VT
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 8, from 9 AM–2 PM
Location: Lake Carmi, 47 Black Woods Road, Franklin, VT.
Please Park at the Black Woods Association Beach down the road from the training site. Directions to Parking: Proceed down Sandy Bay Rd, go past Black Woods Road. Continue down Sandy Bay Rd to the bottom of the hill, where you make a right toward the beach area. There is parking available on the left, right before the water.
Audience: Contractors and natural resource practitioners
Join the Northwoods Stewardship Center, Franklin Watershed Committee, VT DEC Lakes and Ponds, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and Lake Champlain Sea Grant for an upcoming Small BMP Installation Training where you will learn how to design and build an open-top culvert, then actually install two open-top culverts in a driveway where they are recommended through a Lake Wise assessment. Open-top culverts are one of the most frequently recommended BMP’s for driveway improvements to protect water quality.
Details:

Bring your own lunch/snacks/water
Rain or shine, unless very heavy rain
Bring your own work gloves, ear and eye protection, sturdy closed-toed shoes & come prepared to get dirty!

Registration is Required
This program has a maximum number of attendees set at 12 people.
Please sign up as soon as you know you can come.
Click here to register

Native Tree Nursery Roundtable
2026-07-09 15:00 - 17:00 | the farm upstream, 150 Lee River Road, Jericho, VT
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: 3 PM–5 PM
Location: The Farm Upstream (150 Lee River Road, Jericho, Vermont)

This meeting is open to anyone interested in or involved in nursery production of woody plants used in restoration projects. The meeting will start with a tour of the Farm Upstream’s tree nursery operation and will be followed by a discussion about the next steps needed to establish a shared inventory and ordering system for local nurseries.

VT Public Boat Trip on Lake Champlain Aboard the R/V Marcelle Melosira
2026-07-10 14:00 - 16:00
Date/Time: Friday, July 10, 2:00-4:00 pm

Location: 3 College St, Burlington, VT (on the south side of the Rubenstein Ecosystem Sciences/ECHO building). Parking there requires hourly payment separate from public boat trip fees.
Cost: $45/person
Age minimum to participate: 8 years old

Join Lake Champlain Sea Grant and UVM Extension staff aboard the state-of-the-art research vessel, the Marcelle Melosira to learn about Lake Champlain in a two-hour tour. “Lake Champlain Live” will provide participants with an opportunity to learn about and try their hands as limnologists (i.e., those who study inland waters). Following an interactive introduction to the geology and formation of the Lake Champlain basin and the lake, participants will learn about biological, chemical, and physical measurements limnologists make to improve our understanding of the lake, its watershed, and our impacts on them. Participants will engage in activities such as towing for and identifying plankton and monitoring water clarity.
Click here to register

Stream Studies and Ecological Response Following the February 2023 Train Derailment in East Palestine
2026-07-15 12:00 - 13:00
This presentation will focus on the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine. Response activities will be discussed along with other restoration and remediation efforts. Aquatic ecological impacts and recovery will complete the discussion.
Click here to register.
Presenter: William Zawiski, environmental supervisor, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Division of Surface Water

Road Salt-focused Education Trip on Lake Champlain for Municipal Staff and Local Leaders
2026-07-15 15:00 - 17:00
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 15, from 3–5 PM.
Location: 3 College St, Burlington, VT (on the south side of the Rubenstein Ecosystem Sciences/ECHO building). Please note that parking there requires an hourly payment.
Cost: $30 for municipal leaders; free for road foremen
Lake Champlain Sea Grant is hosting a unique trip aboard the R/V Marcelle Melosira for municipal staff and board members. The trip is designed to bring together municipal road foremen and crews with selectboard and conservation commission members and other community leaders for an exchange of knowledge related to sustainable winter road salting practices. We will also talk about water quality and how road salt can impact life in streams and lakes.
Each participant is encouraged to bring along a sample of water from a local stream, pond, or lake near where they live. During the excursion on Lake Champlain, each person will test their water sample to assess its electrical conductivity. This can be used to estimate how much chloride is in the water, much of which comes from road salt spread in the winter months. Participants will also sample from Lake Champlain and measure its electrical conductivity, and will have the option to collect zooplankton (tiny organisms that live suspended in the water).
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. All participants must be in close-toed shoes to board the boat.
Click here to register
—
If you require an accommodation related to a disability, please contact Accessibility Services at least 2 weeks prior to your selected date by emailing access@uvm.edu and copying seagrant@uvm.edu, or calling (802) 656-7753.
Cancellations must be made more than 1 week before the trip so we can allow someone from the waitlist to participate. Email cancellations to seagrant@uvm.edu.
If the boat is not able to sail due to weather conditions and the event is canceled, you will be notified via email. The Staff and boat Captain will do their best to make a decision within 12 hours of the trip.

NY Public Boat Trips on Lake Champlain Aboard the R/V Marcelle Melosira
2026-07-16 11:45 - 13:45 | Plattsburgh City Marina, 2 Dock Street, Plattsburgh, NY
Date/Time: Two trip options are available: 11:45 AM-1:45 PM and 2:00 PM-4:00 PM.
Location: Plattsburgh City Marina, 2 Dock Street, Plattsburgh. On-site parking available.
Cost: $30/person
Minimum age to participate: 8 years old
Accessibility: Please be aware that access to the boat will require climbing a ladder up and down.

Join Lake Champlain Sea Grant and UVM Extension staff aboard the state-of-the-art research vessel, the Marcelle Melosira to learn about Lake Champlain in a two-hour tour.
“Lake Champlain Live” will provide participants with an opportunity to learn about and try their hands as limnologists (i.e., those who study freshwater ecosystems like lakes, rivers and streams). Following an interactive introduction to the geology and formation of the Lake Champlain basin and the lake, participants will learn about biological, chemical and physical measurements limnologists make to improve our understanding of the lake, its watershed, and our impacts on them. Participants will engage in activities such as towing for and identifying plankton and monitoring water clarity.

Online advance registration is required.
Click here to register
For questions, please contact Aude Lochet at aloch001@plattsburgh.edu

Williston Stormwater Infrastructure Site Visit Day: New Implementation, Lessons Learned, and Innovative Solutions
2026-07-23 08:30 - 12:00 | Williston Town Offices, 7900 Williston Rd, Williston, VT
The Lake Champlain Sea Grant Green Infrastructure Collaborative is partnering with the Town of Williston to host a stormwater infrastructure site visit day. We will meet with stormwater managers and designers for this event to view several stormwater management practices and discuss maintenance considerations and lessons learned. The projects include:
-Gravel wetland completed in Fall 2025
-In progress gravel wetland installation (planned)
-Stormwater ponds in residential neighborhoods
-Infiltration basins
Participation is open to any interested stormwater practitioners, such as designers, maintenance professionals, engineers, agency staff, contractors, project managers, municipal staff, and students. Registration will be first come, first serve and space is limited to 25 people. We will meet at the Williston Town Offices and then drive between sites to visit and discuss each project.
Click here to register
Questions? Contact Jill Sarazen: jillian.sarazen@uvm.edu
Sign up by Friday, July 17.
July 29 is our designated rain date.

Community Cleanup
2026-07-30 17:00 - 19:00
Join us on Thursday, July 30th at 5:00 PM for a beach cleanup! We will be meeting at North Beach (near the playground). The trash sort will start at 6:00 PM.
Gloves, buckets, and grabbers will be provided, but if you have supplies, please bring them. Don’t forget a water bottle and sunscreen.
RSVP here.

Plastic Paradox
2026-08-19 12:00 - 13:00
Plastic provides a real paradox in the world of material science. It is incredibly strong, but without the mass that similar strength materials usually possess. In addition, it is very moldable and can be contorted into a myriad of commonplace, super-utilitarian items. The versatility and durability of plastic allow it to be used in place of a myriad of natural materials, but these same features make it an environmental bane. This webinar will explore this paradox and what it means for waters.
Click here to register.
Presenter: Sherri (Sam) Mason, director, Gannon University Project NePTWNE

Microplastics Collection at Plattsburgh City Beach
2026-08-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Plattsburgh City Beach, 4 Beach Road, Plattsburgh, NY, 12901
Microplastic detectives wanted! Sieve the sand at Plattsburgh City Beach to uncover hidden microplastics and help raise awareness of this issue in our region.

The event will begin at 10 AM. All ages welcome! Sampling equipment will be provided. Don’t forget a water bottle and sunscreen.
RSVP at this link.

Waterfront Cleanup at Foam Brewers
2026-08-29 10:00 - 13:00 | Foam Brewers, 112 Lake St, Burlington, VT
Join the Lake Champlain Basin Marine Debris Coalition for a waterfront Cleanup at Foam Brewers on Saturday, August 29, 2026! Trash cleanup will occur from 10 AM–11:30 AM, and sorting will be from 11:30 AM–1 PM. Food and drink tickets will be provided to volunteers.
Gloves, buckets, and grabbers will be provided, but if you have supplies, please bring them. Don’t forget a water bottle and sunscreen.
RSVP coming soon.

Road Salt-focused Education Trip on Lake Champlain for Municipal Staff and Local Leaders
2026-09-01 14:30 - 16:30
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 1, from 2:30–4:30 PM.
Location: 3 College St, Burlington, VT (on the south side of the Rubenstein Ecosystem Sciences/ECHO building). Please note that parking there requires an hourly payment.
Cost: $30 for municipal leaders; free for road foremen
Lake Champlain Sea Grant is hosting a unique trip aboard the R/V Marcelle Melosira for municipal staff and board members. The trip is designed to bring together municipal road foremen and crews with selectboard and conservation commission members and other community leaders for an exchange of knowledge related to sustainable winter road salting practices. We will also talk about water quality and how road salt can impact life in streams and lakes.
Each participant is encouraged to bring along a sample of water from a local stream, pond, or lake near where they live. During the excursion on Lake Champlain, each person will test their water sample to assess its electrical conductivity. This can be used to estimate how much chloride is in the water, much of which comes from road salt spread in the winter months. Participants will also sample from Lake Champlain and measure its electrical conductivity, and will have the option to collect zooplankton (tiny organisms that live suspended in the water).
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. All participants must be in close-toed shoes to board the boat.
Click here to register
—
If you require an accommodation related to a disability, please contact Accessibility Services at least 2 weeks prior to your selected date by emailing access@uvm.edu and copying seagrant@uvm.edu, or calling (802) 656-7753.
Cancellations must be made more than 1 week before the trip so we can allow someone from the waitlist to participate. Email cancellations to seagrant@uvm.edu.
If the boat is not able to sail due to weather conditions and the event is canceled, you will be notified via email. The Staff and boat Captain will do their best to make a decision within 12 hours of the trip.
