VERMONT RIVER CONSERVANCY Protecting Land Along Our Waters

ANNUAL REPORT

2008—2009

Vermont River Conservancy 2008—2009 Annual Report Page 2

Message from the Board Chair and Executive Director

Greetings from Montpelier, Over the past two years the Vermont River Conservancy has continued to pursue the core mission of protecting public access to Vermont’s waters. At the same time we have expanded our scope of projects to include conservation of “River Corridors” where additional conservation values are protected to complement public access. Riparian (shore land) habitat, in-stream aquatic habitat, vegetated buffers, scenic views, paddlers’ campsites, trails, and other public values are considered as elements of a holistic conservation strategy. Since last fall the VRC has been working with a broad range of conservation and recreation groups to establish an “Upper Connecticut River Paddlers’ Trail” that will provide canoeists and kayakers with a well-spaced series of primitive camping sites along the Connecticut River from the town of Canaan to White River Junction. The VRC has been awarded grants for construction of the primitive camping sites, restoration of floodplain vegetation, and improvement of river access points. Interested paddlers will be able to plan a river trip by using an interactive website, now in its design phase. A Natural Resource River Guide will inform paddlers of the many important natural features along their paddling path. In another watershed - the North Branch of the Winooski River - the VRC has focused on the establishment of River Corridor Easements with interested landowners. The North Branch is a very intriguing river with its headwaters flowing from a wilderness landscape in the uplands of Worcester and Elmore to its confluence with the main stem of the Winooski in the urban setting of downtown Montpelier. The North Branch has a nationally-recognized white water run in its upper reach, critical amphibian habitat and rich agricultural fields along its middle reaches, and urban educational and recreational opportunities as it passes through the residential and commercial sectors of Montpelier. By working with willing landowners to protect access and conservation resources along the river with conservation easements, the VRC is helping to keep the North Branch healthy, clean, and accessible to its surrounding communities. In partnership with river advocacy groups like the Friends of the Winooski, the White River Partnership, the Middlebury Area Land Trust, and many other individual citizens and civic groups, the VRC will build on and support the collective interest of all Vermonters by acquiring additional pubic accesses and protecting life and property by means of river corridor conservation agreements. The Board of Trustees and staff of the VRC are deeply grateful for the financial support and inspiration from our many donors, project partners and VRC members. Despite the difficulties of the current economy, the response to our 2009 Annual Appeal was very positive; 165 donors, 36 of them new to the VRC, contributed to help support our general operations. In addition, our online auction, a new event this last year with over 95 items donated by friends of VRC, added another $8,500 to help us with our work. In 2009 we also launched our newly designed website, complete with a map and description of all or our conservation projects. Special thanks to o2 Group in Colorado (one of whom is a former Vermonter) who donated the design and implementation of the fabulous new website. Take a look and let us know what else you would like to see there: www.vermontriverconservancy.org. We hope that you will feel free to contact us any time with thoughts and suggestions, and, most importantly, that you continue to value the importance of protecting the shores of our rivers, streams, and ponds. Steve Libby, Executive Director Brice Simon, Board Chair

Vermont River Conservancy 2008—2009 Annual Report Page 3

Vermont River Conservancy Accomplishments

Over the last two years the VRC has been very busy, closing on eight projects and initiating our Connecticut River Paddlers’ Trail with the construction of a campsite in Guildhall for our ninth project. Over 141 acres and 23,047 feet of shore frontage (4.3 miles) are now protected by these projects with conservation easements held by the VRC; since our founding in 1995 we have conserved 1,069 acres with over 15 miles of frontage along our rivers. We continue our productive partnership with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources River Management Program (http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/waterq/rivers), completing river corridor easement projects on the Winooski, Middlebury, White and New Haven Rivers, as well as two adjoining properties along Ayers Brook in Randolph/Brookfield. Some of the special attributes of these projects include: ● In partnership with the Middlebury Area Land Trust (MALT), the VRC created permanent public access to the Middlebury River in East Middlebury along with protection of the parcel as a floodwater attenuation site. ● Honoring nature writer Ron Rood, Peg Rood and family donated a conservation easement protecting wildlife habitat and a wetland complex along the New Haven River in the town of Lincoln. ● In the village of Rochester an agricultural field along the White River has been conserved by Bill and Anne Thrailkill to provide a vegetated riparian buffer and continued recreational access. ● Two adjacent agricultural parcels owned by Bob Simpson and Michael and Diane Roche are conserved to allow over two miles of the flood-prone Ayers Brook the latitude to meander and stabilize its channel. The VRC increased its presence along the Nulhegan River with two additional projects. Moving up the river from a previously established fishing access and campsite near its confluence with the Connecticut River, we acquired another campsite and a 58-acre easement along the Nulhegan on a parcel owned by the family of our late board member, Sherry Belknap. Sherry was an untiring supporter of land conservation in the Northeast Kingdom, and his dream to conserve the pristine character of the Nulhegan is an inspiration to all who treasure Vermont’s rivers. A neighbor of the Belknap’s, Frank Dumaine, was interested in the VRC’s work on the Nulhegan, and approached us about his 7.4-acre parcel along the East Branch of the Nulhegan. With grant funds from the Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund, the Davis Conservation Fund and the George and Miriam Martin Foundation, the VRC purchased in fee the Dumaine parcel which includes a campsite and fishing and canoe/kayak access to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. These two projects protect public access to over one mile of the Nulhegan River and provide a conservation base from which to continue efforts to restore the Nulhegan to its “reference” condition of pristine water quality, native brook trout fishery, and northern boreal riparian habitat. The Upper Connecticut River has long been a favorite paddling reach for recreational canoeists and kayakers. VRC has joined a broad collaborative of organizations interested in creating and managing the “Upper Connecticut Paddlers’ Trail” which will include a series of primitive, river shore camping sites, access points, and a web-based information “kiosk” for interested paddlers. Several of the camping sites have been established, and over the spring/summer/fall of 2010, additional sites will be improved to provide a continuous series of sites for paddlers who wish to undertake multi-day trips along the Connecticut River.

Vermont River Conservancy 2008—2009 Annual Report Page 4

Vermont River Conservancy Year End Financial Statement December 31, 2009

INCOME Contributions/Income Restricted Stewardship/Legal Defense Fund $ 25,000 Locke Farm Field (River Corridor Easement Acquisition) $ 25,642 North Branch Corridor $ 1,000 Upper Connecticut River Paddlers’ Trail $ 3,500 Sherry Belknap Memorial Fund $ 690 $ 55,832 Contributions Unrestricted/Online Auction $ 43,644 Grants Davis Conservation Fund $ 5,000 George & Miriam Martin Foundation $ 15,000 New England Grassroots Environment Fund $ 1,000 Neil & Louise Tillotson Fund (N. H. Charitable Foundation) $ 15,000 Upper CT River Mitigation & Enhancement Fund (Nulhegan Acquisition) $ 50,000 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Fish & Wildlife $ 4,700 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, River Management Program $ 78,376 Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (Capacity Grant/Appraisal) $ 26,250 $195,326 TOTAL INCOME $294,802 EXPENSES Operating Costs Bank Fees/Miscellaneous Expenses $ 764 Dues/Subscriptions/Membership $ 1,050 Equipment/Software/Supplies $ 1,054 Insurance $ 1,672 Personnel—Salaries/Payroll Expenses/Staff Training/Travel $ 85,330 Postage $ 1,013 Printing/Copying $ 835 Professional Fees/Consultants $ 3,571 Rent/Maintenance $ 4,134 Telephone/Internet $ 1,755 $101,178 Project Costs Acquisition $103,875 Appraisals $ 1,750 Consultants/Professional Fees $ 13,779 Legal Fees/Closing Costs $ 8,659 Mapping/Baseline Documentation/Mapping Software & Equipment $ 16,469 Project Scoping & Development/Mileage $ 5,663 Surveys $ 9,095 $159,290 TOTAL EXPENSES $260,468 NET PROFIT/(LOSS) $ 34,334

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Kate Achor/Tim Hoch John and Susan Alden Mary Alexander Ann and Roger Allbee Jeffrey Allen/Stephanie Lahar Ted Allen Ed Amidon/Louise McCarron Rolf and Sharon Anderson Elise Annes/Roy Schiff Anonymous (5) Susan Atwood Stone/Chip Stone Margaret Baird/Brian Slopey Bill and Susan Bartlett Thomas Bates Bill Batesole/Anne Nordstrom Jane Beaumont Snyder Larry Beinert Darby and Liisa Bradley Karen Bradley Dave Braun Tanja Brigham Jake Brown/Milly Archer Skip and Jane Brown Larry Bruce Rod Buck Doug and Mary Burnham Paul Cameron/Annie Tiberio Constance and Robert Catherman Andrea and James Chandler Rhoda and Rob Chickering Betsy and Daniel Chodorkoff John Clarke Brenda Clarkson/Brian Fitzgerald William and Paula Cody Ben Copans/Mary Parent Paul Costello Ann and Barry Cousins Chuck Daghlian/Barbara Ripley Peter and Jane Dale Gerald Davis David Deen Mary and Brad Denny Peter Desmeules Edward Dombroski Kevin Dommenge Roberta Donahue Sarah Drew Reeves Tim Duane Seth Dunn Jacqueline Earle-Cruickshanks and Paul Cruickshanks Jon Eggleston Peg Elmer Drew Emory

Brett Engstrom/Betsy Brigham John and Jane Ewing Wally Farnum Sylvia and Ron Ferry Dick Finlay Bob Finucane/Beth Ann Maier Sharon Francis Joseph and Cathy Frank Stratton “Tony” French Caroline and Noel Fritzinger Elizabeth Galt Robert Gannett Kerry Garber Virginia Garrison Judy Geer/Dick Dreissigacker Barbara Gibbs Allen Gilbert/Lila Richardson Steve Gold/Irina Markova Ray Gonda John and Sue Gorczyk Karen Grace Kim Greenwood/Ian Ormond Lillian Greenwood Carolyn Grodinsky Robert Groezinger Ed Gross Jon Groveman/Nancy Davila-Groveman Hobie Guion Peter Gunther/Paulette Thabault Bill and Leslie Haines Patricia Haines David Hajdasz Kris Hammer/Nancy Chickering Paul Hannan E. Ross Hansen John Harbison Robert and Karin Hardy Brian Harwood Beth Hayes Kay Henry/Rob Center Linda Henzel Kenneth Hertz Thomas and Suzanna Hillegass David Hindle Dorothy Hines John and Jennifer Hollar Alison Hollingsworth Tom Honigford/Sharon O’Connor Peter and Mary Hood Dave and Trina Hosmer Thomas Hudspeth/Virginia Mullen Phil and Audrey Huffman Lorraine Hughes Judith Hunter

Individual Donors

Helen Husher Robert Hyams Peggy and Paul Irons Keefer and Bill Irwin Carol Jensen Charles Johnson/Nona Estrin Keith and Leah Jones Henrietta Jordan Lou and Peggy Kannenstine Warren Kaplan Cathy Kashanski/Eric Sorensen John Kassel/Julie Campoli Jane Kearns Dan and Karen Keene Jean and John Kiedaisch Otto Kinzel Tony Klein Mike Kline/Joanne Breidenstein Scot Kline/Vicki Brown Jennifer Lamphere Neil Landres Rich Langdon John and Jean Lawe Gale Lawrence John Lazenby Sydney Lea/Robin Barone Hubert and Mary Lechevalier Gertrude Lepine Jeanette Lepine Therese Lepine Sandy and Michael Levine John and Lynn Lindley George Little Gil Livingston/Amy Wright Francisco and Sharon Lorenzo Annette Lorraine Charlotte and Tom MacLeay Daphne Makinson Frances and John Mallery Rob and Eileen Mann Deborah and Paul Markowitz David and Lucy Marvin Penny Marwede Allison Maxfield/Kevin Lane David and Maida Maxham Betsy and Tim McKay Judy McKinley Wally and Angela McLean Shelly McSweeney/Eric Palola Kate Mehan/Zach St. Amand Anthony Mennona Kellie Merrell Heather Merrill Lisa Meyer/Jeffrey Hughes

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Jeff Meyers/Tammy Newmark Chris and Marc Mihaly Michael and Christa Mindrum Deb Mitchell Howard and Irene Mitchell R. John and Dorothy Mitchell Gilles Moreau J. Ronald Morgan, III Andrea Morgante April and Azur Moulaert Jennifer Myka/Richard Smith Peter and Sally Nolan Christine Northrup/Roger Gordon Richard and Patricia Nye Tessa O’Brien Tino O’Brien Cameron O’Connor Beverly Osterberg Christopher Owen/Pat Hazouri Susan and Rick Paradis Richard and Ann Park Rose Paul/George Springston Brooke Pearson Heather Pembrook Leslie Tuverson Perkins Katie Pindell George Plumb Sharon Plumb Rhey Plumley William Pope Jim Powers Susan Premo/Phil Etter Mark Reed Michael Reed Rebecca Reno Alban and Margaret Richey Peter Ricker Susan Ritz Richard Rizza Andy Robinson Delia and Robert Robinson Alan Rome Richard Rubin Avery Ryan Jan Sandman Jeff Schoellkopf/Beth Binns Jamie Shanley/Kim Kendall Sandy Shenk/Alan Boright Nancy and Michael Sherman Brian Shupe/Valerie Capels Carolyn Silsby Brice Simon Catherine Simpson Katherine Simpson Nicholas Skinner

Individual Donors/Designated Funds

Robert Slattery Emily Sloan/Terry Solomon Eric and Dale Smeltzer Ben Smith John and Liz Snell Diane Snelling Wendy Soliday/Greg MacDonald Loring Starr/Michael Dworkin Charles and Melissa Storrow Sue Ellen Strang/Paul Carlile Susan Sussman/Scudder Parker Ben and Brittany Syz Jeremy and Gina Syz Stephan and Linn Syz Carl Taylor Michael Taylor/Karen Coshof Joe Tetreault Ralph and Nancy Timmerman Susan and Robert Titterton Ken Trask Jim and Heidi Tringe Nathaniel Tripp Elizabeth Turner Win Turner Donald and Audrey Walker Samuel and Anne Ward Susan Warren John Warshow George Watkins Harris and Eleanor Webster Peter and Fran Weinbaum Jonathan and Lark Weker Sandy and Earl Weller Tom and Sharon Willard Stuart and Sarah Williams Leonard Wilson Frank and Betty Woods Steve Wright Kinvin and Deborah Wroth Kathy Yost/Arlene Silva Karen and Alan Zaur

Sherry Belknap Memorial Fund Brian and Brenda Beattie Ruby and George Bolduc Lois and Peter Cardin Doug and Kelly Conrad Karl Decker Patricia and Barry Grover Thomas and Edith Gwinn Lorrain and Bradley Harding June and Kenneth Hook Brent LeClair Gayle LeClair Northeastern VT Development Assn. Rachel O’Meara and James Sayen Jodie Poulin Sue and Ken Poulin Kathy and Paul Roth Stephan Syz Barbara Walling Scott Williamson Canute Dalmasse Memorial Fund Michael Adams Mike and Linda Adams ANR Springfield Office Arma Andon Anonymous Bill Bartlett Erik Beck Bennington Vocational Rehabilitation Carole and Jack Bowles Pat Boynton Brattleboro Vocational Rehabilitation Jake Brown and Milly Archer Burlington Vocational Rehabilitation Barry Cahoon Gina Campoli Gary and Tracy Cast Kathryn Chaffee Michael and Grace Chandler Laurie Connor Constance Curtin Sarah Dabney Steve Dale Leighton Dalmasse Darby Stearns Thorndike Kolter & Ware Kevin Dommenge Eagle Eye Farm Rehabilitation Center John Easton Jessica Elliott Evelyn Erb Deborah Ferrell Goldman Sachs HK Salestrading/ Equities Mgmt.

Vermont River Conservancy 2008—2009 Annual Report Page 7

Canute Dalmasse Fund Hazel Gordon Governor’s Worksforce Equity & Diversity Council Vicki Hill Jeanette Hogan Karen and Tom Horn Warwick Hunt Anthony Iarrapino Gary Jaquith Barbara and Howard Johnson Elizabeth Jones Hansen Michele Kelleher Scot Kline Mary Beth Kowalski Scott Langley Anne Lee Francisco and Sharon Lorenzo Genevieve Mallgrave Janey and Dennis Malloy Maverick Capital Charities Christina McFarland Elizabeth McLain Carolyn and Bob McVoy Dena Monahan J. Ronald Morgan III Morrisville Vocational Rehabilitation Conrad and Nancy Motyka Bruce and Cathy Nelson New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission Newport Vocational Rehabilitation Megan Officer Beverly Osterberg Rose Paul George Plumb Kymberli Rand Paula and Richard Reynolds Janice Rickstad David Rocchio Jennifer Rooney Carolyn and Andrew Ruschp Rutland Vocational Rehabilitation Benson and Patricia Sargent Brian Sigman Eric Smeltzer Gary and Jody Smith Southampton Hospital Laboratory Springfield Vocational Rehabilitation Gail and Jeff St. Pierre Stowe Beverage Stowe Insurance Agency Lyle Sunderland Stephan Syz Alexander Taylor U-32 English Department

Designated Funds/Auction Donors Upper Valley Services Vermont Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired Susan Warren John Warshow Julie Wasserman Susan and Edmund Wells Jeff and Nancy Wennberg Cary Williams Leonard Wilson Woods Hole Group WRJ/SJ Vocational Rehabilitation Lori Yarrow

VRC held its first online auction last fall. Thanks to the following Sponsors and Donors, VRC raised over $8,000 to be used to support our work to conserve land along Vermont’s waters. Auction Sponsors Annette Lorraine, PLC Maple Capital Management Montpelier Agway Farm and Garden Montpelier Pharmacy Noyle W. Johnson Insurance Agency Stevens Law Office Strictly Trout WoodenBoat School Auction Item Donors Mary Hood Alexander Enid Angstreich Artisans' Gallery Betsy's Bed & Breakfast Geoff Beyer Ray and Jody Brown

Sandra Buck Cabot Creamery Canoe Imports John Cassel Andrea Chandler Clearwater Sports Beth Daut Jim Dawson Didi Brush Landscape Design Senator William Doyle Elmore Roots Nursery Nona Estrin Fitness Options Foxfire Inn John Fricke Frida’s Taqueria & Grill Ginny Garrison Kim Greenwood Highland Lodge Sabra Holm Woody Jackson Charles Johnson Dr. Cassandra Lansky Steve Libby Annette Lorraine Lifwynn Camp Nick Mayer Michael’s On The Hill Gary Miller National Life Group Northern Woodlands Magazine Patagonia Richard J. Wobby Jewelers Delia Robinson Sarah Russell Sarducci’s Restaurant Sandra Shenk Flor Diaz Smith John Snell Wendy Soliday Stream and Brook Fly Fishing Francesca Syz Jo Syz John Syz Stephan Syz Three Mountain Café Trapp Family Lodge Win Turner Umiak Outdoor Outfitters Vermont Life Magazine Vermont Magazine Vermont Mountaineers Von Trapp Greenhouse Neely Washington WoodenBoat Magazine

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Business and Organization Supporters

Foundation and Grant Support

Agency and Organization Project Partners

Annette Lorraine, PLC Cheney, Brock and Saudek, P.C. Concept 2 Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC First in Fitness IBM Main Street Landing Company Manufacturing Solutions Maple Capital Management

Montpelier Pharmacy National Life Group Precision International Automotive Products Rinker’s Communications Stevens Law Office Vermont Paddlers Club VHB Pioneer William Maclay Architects and Planners Zalinger Cameron & Lambek, P.C.

Davis Conservation Foundation Philip S. Harper Foundation Lintilhac Foundation George & Miriam Martin Foundation New England Grassroots Environment Fund Schultz-Blackwell Trust

Vermont River Conservancy 2008—2009 Annual Report

Connecticut River Joint Commissions Connecticut River Watershed Council Friends of the Winooski River Lewis Creek Association Middlebury Area Land Trust Northern Forest Canoe Trail NorthWoods Stewardship Center Town of Lincoln

Town of Middlebury Upper Valley Land Trust Vermont ANR River Management Program Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation West Brattleboro Association White River Partnership Windham County NRCD

VRC Contact Information: 29 Main Street, Suite 11 Montpelier, VT 05602 Phone: 802.229.0820 Email: vrc@vermontriverconservancy.org Website: www.vermontriverconservancy.org

Andrea Chandler Walter Opuszynski Charles Johnson Noah Pollock John Lazenby Bill Schomburg Penny Marwede Sam and Anne Ward The o2 Group (Jayme and Mike Sitzman, Craig Janson)

Neil & Louise Tillotson Fund (NHCF) Upper CT River Mitigation & Enhancement Fund Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation Vermont Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Vermont Community Foundation Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

Friends and Volunteers

VRC Board of Directors Brice Simon, Chair—Stowe Chris Mihaly, Vice Chair—Montpelier Keith Jones, Secretary—Montpelier James Powers, Treasurer—Montpelier David Deen—Westminster Ginny Garrison—Hardwick John Gorczyk—Montpelier Kim Greenwood—Duxbury Ramsey Luhr—Montpelier Jeff Meyers—New Haven Tino O’Brien—Montpelier Barbara Ripley—Montpelier Marli Rupe—Poultney Stephan Syz—Montpelier Printing generously donated by National Life Group