Winter Ice, Landscape Connections, Health, Well-being, and Social Resilience in Lake Champlain Basin
Residents of Lake Champlain Basin who are new to winter often face significant challenges in adapting to winter environments, with impacts on social integration, economic participation, and health outcomes such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Lake Champlain being a keystone landscape of the area plays a central role in local residents’ sense of place, identity, and engagements with the landscape, and adapting to Lake Champlain’s winter is fundamental to building these aspects of their lives in Vermont. Unlike long-term residents or people who have previously experienced winter, the winter novices often lack generational knowledge, cultural familiarity, and social networks that facilitate resilience and adaptation to winter. This research addresses these gaps by exploring how perceptions, cultural connections, and winter-related experiences shape belonging and well-being. Findings will inform policy, public health strategies, and community-based interventions that enhance resilience and equity in the region.