The Vermont Natural Resources Council is excited to send you its first monthly E-newsletter! In this issue, we share recent VNRC priorities, legislative updates, upcoming events and environmental news from across Vermont.

Thank you to thousands of VNRC members and activists who make our work possible! Your support and dedication mean a lot to us - and to Vermont.

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State House Action – After a Solid Session, It’s a Wrap  

Cautious. Thoughtful. Smart. That’s the way the Vermont Legislature and the Shumlin administration handled energy and conservation initiatives during the legislative session this year.

This year policymakers focused largely on a few big initiatives that demanded most of their attention, including a health care reform package, a jobs bill and a big budget challenge.

But they advanced several other positive measures that will help protect Vermont’s environment and foster a clean energy economy. They passed legislation to spur renewable energy, to help clean up our waterways, protect our wildlife, and give Vermonters more options for transportation, among other things. Click here to read more.

VNRC Applauds “Complete Streets” Legislation

In a move that signals a fundamental and very positive shift in transportation policy in Vermont, Gov. Shumlin recently signed H.198, also known as “complete streets” legislation. The legislation is good for the vitality of our communities because it gives Vermonters more options for getting around.

The law also allows Vermonters to save gas by not driving as much, and will also have the effect of helping cut our contribution to climate change.  VNRC has supported the notion of “complete streets” for many years. Click here to read more.

Subdivision Report Outlines Threats to Forests

VNRC has issued a new info-packed report that finds that subdivision, fragmentation and the conversion of forestland are threatening the economic and ecological integrity of the Northern Forests.

Subdivision and land conversion can negatively affect plant and animal species, wildlife habitat, water quality, recreational access, and the ability of forests to sequester and store carbon. They can also affect the contiguous ownership, management, and viability of forest parcels to contribute to the region’s rural economy. While subdivision and conversion pressures have been identified as problems for decades, there has been no systematic tracking of trends to inform planning or resource management. The report quantifies the extent of subdivision over the last decade and the degree to which subdivision is affecting the viability of undeveloped land for conservation and resource management. Click here to view a detailed webpage with the final report, state wide maps, and a database with information for every municipality in Vermont.

Givin' Them What They Want: A Little Help on Energy

A set of publications recently released by the Vermont Natural Resources Council and Vermont League of Cities and Towns outline how communities can comprehensively, systematically and aggressively address energy use and consumption. The "Energy Planning and Implementation Guide for Vermont Municipalities" is a step-by-step guide outlining how communities can use the energy element of their municipal plan to comprehensively address energy issues.  "Communities Tackling Vermont's Energy Challenges" offers overviews of three dozen success story ‘snapshots’ of innovative, entrepreneurial and proactive approaches Vermonters are taking to help save money, reduce energy consumption, transition to renewables and combat climate change.

“Vermonters are eager to help lead the state on its transition away from a fossil fuel-based economy to one based on renewable energy, conservation and efficiency. With the state’s well-developed planning framework, they are also well positioned,” said Johanna Miller, energy program director at the Vermont Natural Resources Council. “Now, they also have some new tools.” Click here for more information.

Looking Out for the Wild Things in Your Town

Vermonters overwhelmingly want to conserve wildlife habitat such as deeryards, trout streams, and bear habitat. Cities and towns have made noticeable strides in improving attention to wildlife habitat and natural resource conservation, and nearly every municipality recognizes wildlife habitat as an important local resource, according to a recent report issued by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Vermont Natural Resources Council.
 
The report, "Wildlife Considerations in Local Planning – An Evaluation of a Decade of Progress in Vermont," was based on a detailed assessment of all municipal plans and related zoning bylaws and subdivision regulations adopted by Vermont communities. The report is an update of a similar study done in 2000 and documents the progress and shortcomings in natural resource protection over the last ten years as well as the challenges and opportunities for future wildlife conservation. Click here to read more.

Green Thumbs: VNRC Garden Benefits Food Bank

Last week VNRC (with lots of help from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps) broke ground for our brand new community garden just down the street from our offices. The garden will produce vegetables to benefit Vermonters who need food assistance. Why, you may ask, is VNRC doing a garden? Well, it’s in our blood. Farmers were among the founders of VNRC when the organization was created in 1963 and since then we have been ardent supporters of laws and policies to protect Vermont’s agricultural soils.

Today, VNRC recognizes the critical and growing value of a local food economy. This garden puts theory into practice as well as helping get nutritious, local vegetables onto the dinner plates of Vermonters in need of food assistance.

Governor Shumlin Set to Sign 2011 Energy Bill

Gov. Shumlin will be signing H.56, the Vermont Energy Act of 2011 on Wednesday, May 25 at South Village Community in S. Burlington. The event, at 130 Allen Road East, will take place from 1-3 pm. 

VNRC worked hard to advance this bill, which will create more opportunities for effeciency and renewable energy investments. The bill will be signed at the commissioning of a 150kW solar array at the Farm at South Village in S. Burlington developed by Burlington-based Encore Redevelopment, and installed by Montpelier’s Alteris Renewables. The array will provide carbon-free electricity for 100% of the Farm at South Village and South Village Community's energy consumption needs. The array will also provide clean energy to the City of South Burlington for the City’s traffic lights. Some of the VNRC team will be there. Join us if you can!

Coming to Montpelier: Villagebuilding Convergence

The 3rd annual Villagebuilding Convergence (VbC) is a free, 12-day event from June 10-21 in and around Montpelier dedicated to building community and celebrating sustainability with a skill-share workshop weekend, hands-on projects throughout the week, panels discussions, local food, music, and dance. At its root, VbC is about actively building community connections and realizing the strength and beauty of our power when we work and play together. Visit the VbC website for more information.

Attend a Forum on Vermont's Energy Future

To guide the state in making some complex and strategic choices on how Vermont will meet its energy needs far into the future, the Department of Public Service recently commenced a much-needed update to Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan, last officially adopted in 1998. Public input into this forward-looking plan is imperative, and VNRC is helping to organize a series of forums aimed at hearing from Vermonters on this critical topic. For more information about this pivotal process and these upcoming forums, click here.

Winooski River Sojourn on Tap for June

   Friends of the Winooski River will be holding its annual Winooski River Sojourn later in June. The Sojourn is a six-day paddling trip down the Winooski River. It begins in Marshfield on June 21 and ends at Lake Champlain on June 26. In addition to paddling through the heart of Vermont you'll be treated to mini-lectures by an on-river naturalist and enjoy food from some of Vermont's most popular eateries. Click here to reserve your spot today.

VNRC Hails Creation of Vermont Climate Cabinet

VNRC applauded the recent formation and first meeting of the Vermont Climate Cabinet, a group of senior officials in Gov. Shumlin's administration charged with leading the state toward reduced greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

“VNRC has been advocating for a coordinated, governmental response to climate change for several years. We fully support this move by the Shumlin administration to assemble high-ranking officials to work as a team in an intigrated fashion. We are hopeful we'll see results on the ground as the new group implements the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals,” said Elizabeth Courtney, VNRC’s executive director.
 
In addition to the Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz, other members of the Vermont Climate Cabinet are the secretaries of Administration, Agriculture Food and Markets, Commerce and Community Development, and Transportation; the commissioners of the Departments of Economic, Housing and Community Development, of the Department of Buildings and General Services and the Department of Public Service.

New Direction for the “Circumferential” Highway

Gov. Shumlin said recently the long-proposed highway around the Burlington area known as the “Circ” won’t move forward, at least as first envisioned.

“The Circ, as originally conceived 30 years ago, will not be built," Shumlin said at a recent news conference. "Let’s face that reality while also recognizing that significant transportation problems exist in this region that need to be addressed. By bringing together stakeholders in the spirit of collaboration, I believe we will find more cost effective and modern solutions to our current challenges.

VNRC has opposed the Circ as originally designed because it is an outdated idea that is too expensive and won’t solve traffic problems. VNRC applauded the governor’s announcement.

Shumlin has asked the Agency of Transportation and the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization to take a fresh look at the Circ to see if there is a better way to solve the transportation problems in the four towns that are on the path of the project.
 
Progress on meeting Chittenden County's transportation problems have been stalled for decades because of the false promises of the Circ.  

“While we will withhold judgment on the alternatives that VTrans will consider until we see the details, we are cautiously optimistic that the governor is headed in the right direction,” said Brian Shupe, VNRC’s deputy director.

Another Study: Climate Change is Real

A recent study by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Science finds that climate change is occurring, is very likely caused primarily by the emission of greenhouse gases from human activities, and poses significant risks for a range of human and natural systems. These risks indicate a pressing need for substantial action to limit the magnitude of climate change and to prepare for adapting to its impacts. Click here for the report.

VNRC TV

Have you seen VNRC’s introduction video? It’s short. And very, very sweet. Hear Senators Lyons and Snelling and climate expert Bill McKibben. Check it out here.