Lake Champlain, Vermont

Helping to increase wildlife habitats and biodiversity, while generating livelihood benefits for local farmers.

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About Lake Champlain

Since 2016, PUR has partnered with local conservation organizations to implement and monitor tree-planting projects in the Lake Champlain Basin, Vermont.

These collaborations are helping to reduce nutrient runoff and water pollution, stabilize stream banks, and decrease soil erosion.

East Montpelier

The owners of the East Montpelier Farm are converting the property into a pick-your-own berry and flower farm.

In 2022, the property owners decided to reforest several areas with trees and shrubs to enhance wildlife habitats, create spaces for pollinators, and reduce nutrient runoff — which can potentially threaten the water quality of the nearby North Branch River.

Fifteen different shrub and tree species have been planted, including Black Willow, Black Cherry, Chokecherry, and Silver Maple.

Lyndon

The property in Lyndon is owned by a local trust, which aims to preserve and restore the ecological habitats of the Passumpsic River.

The property owners have decided to restore a field that was previously used to produce hay. This involved planting 1,200 trees and shrubs along the Passumpsic River floodplain.

This project has the goal of increasing the forest habitat along the river, mitigating flooding risks, and reducing soil erosion and nutrient runoff — which can affect river water quality.

Tree Species

Since 2016, PUR’s Lake Champlain project has planted 70 tree and shrub species across 96 sites. We aim to increase the number of species planted within project parcels to help increase local biodiversity.

Thetford

Established on a previously logged site, the Thetford project aims to reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff into nearby streams, while also increasing wildlife habitats for native species.

To increase biodiversity, 11 different species have been planted at the Thetford site as of 2022.

Sheldon

This farm in Sheldon produces corn and hay, while partnering with the Vermont Land Trust to conserve 111 acres of their property.

In 2022, the owners of the Sheldon farm expanded their environmentally-conscious work to establish a riparian buffer along the side of their property, facing the Missisquoi River Basin. The 50-foot-long buffer has the objective of increasing streambank stabilization, while also reducing the amount of nutrient runoff that ends up in the stream.

"The project brought together great partners from the area, and we look forward to continuing the planting in the spring."

Lyndon, Vermont

"Thanks to PUR for helping us to improve water quality while increasing the diversity of the habitat on our land."

Middletown Springs, Vermont

"We are really grateful that PUR was able to help us build out the woods for more riverside habitat."

Arlington, Vermont