Led by Michelle Lockart, LCSG Land Use and Water Quality Educator, the program provides continuing education opportunities that connect real estate professionals with environmental topics that affect properties throughout Vermont and New York. The program currently includes 10 unique accredited continuing education (CE) courses covering topics such as floodplain maps, flood insurance, private drinking water systems, septic system maintenance, wetlands regulations, shoreline protection, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since its launch in 2014, the program has grown through partnerships with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC)<\/a>, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR),<\/a> and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC)<\/a>. Today, a multi-agency team of 14 professionals collaborates to develop and deliver courses that connect real estate professionals with subject matter experts and practical tools they can use in their work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Real estate professionals are often the first, and sometimes only, point of contact for people purchasing property in the Lake Champlain Basin. By increasing agents\u2019 understanding of wetlands, floodplains, forests, shorelands, rivers, groundwater resources, and related regulations, programming like this helps ensure that homebuyers and sellers have access to reliable, science-based information when making important decisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As Cait Taylor of Coldwell Banker Hickok noted, \u201cLake Champlain Sea Grant\u2019s educational programming translates complex environmental topics into practical, actionable guidance; it reaches a professional audience uniquely positioned to amplify that knowledge; and it creates value for consumers, the real estate industry, and the long-term health of the Lake Champlain Basin.<\/em>\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Program participation continues to increase. During the most recent reporting period, LCSG coordinated 16 workshops, educating 534 real estate professionals throughout the Vermont portion of the Lake Champlain Basin. In response to emerging needs, the team also developed a new course, Managing Stormwater for Flood Resilience and Water Quality, and is working with partners to expand offerings for real estate professionals in New York. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The program\u2019s growth reflects strong demand from both real estate boards and agency partners. While LCSG offered an average of eight continuing education courses annually from 2015 to 2022, that number increased to an average of 12 courses per year between 2023 and 2025. State agency instructors have also reported increased awareness among real estate professionals regarding environmental regulations and more inquiries directed to the appropriate state contacts for guidance on parcels and lots for sale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking ahead, LCSG plans to continue expanding its partnerships and educational offerings, including collaboration with New York Sea Grant to develop additional accredited trainings beyond the Lake Champlain Basin. By connecting real estate professionals with the knowledge and resources needed to support informed decision-making, the program continues to advance Lake Champlain Sea Grant\u2019s mission to benefit both the environment and the communities that depend on it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A multi-agency team of 14 individuals from two states collaborates to offer courses in the LCSG Real Estate Professional Education Program. Staff at VT DEC and FPR are critical partners. Partners include Ned Swanberg, Asa Brayton, Tessa Yip, <\/strong>and Rebecca Pfeiffer <\/strong>with the VT DEC Rivers Program as instructors for the Demystifying FEMA & Floodplain Maps and Web-Based Map Tools courses. Mark Raishart, Brandon Benedict, <\/strong>and Charlie Hancock<\/strong> are FPR County Foresters who instruct the Use Value Appraisal Program course. Shannon Morrison<\/strong>, DEC District Wetlands Ecologist, instructs the VT Wetland Identification and Regulations course. Laura Dlugolecki<\/strong>, Lakes Policy and Outreach Coordinator with VT DEC Lakes and Ponds Program, instructs the VT Shoreland Protection Act course. Cristin Ashmankas,<\/strong> Environmental Analyst with the VT DEC Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division, instructs the Onsite Wastewater Systems and Drinking and Potable Water Supply Systems courses. NYS DEC staff Brad Wenskoski<\/strong>, Certified Floodplain Manager, and Krista Spohr,<\/strong> Environmental Programs Specialist, assisted in the development of the National Flood Insurance Program and NY Wetland Identification and Regulations courses, respectively, for real estate professionals in New York. Over the past year, Lockhart led efforts in partnership with LCSG Watershed Forestry Partnership Coordinator, Shawn White,<\/strong> to develop a new Vermont-based course titled Stormwater Management for Flood Resilience and Water Quality. This course earned state accreditation in 2025 with Lockhart and White as co-instructors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Congratulations to the LCSG team and the many agency partners who have helped make this award-winning program a lasting success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.uvm.edu\/seagrant\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Workshop-Topics-1024x576.png\")
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