Memphremagog Watershed Association

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Memphremagog Watershed Association

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The Memphremagog Watershed Association is dedicated to the preservation of the environment and natural beauty of the Memphremagog watershed.

11/02/2026

MWA’s restoration game has increased tenfold this year thanks to our brand new UTV! This powerful restoration tool allows us to improve project efficiencies while also decreasing impacts to sensitive habitats with the tracked wheels. Funding for this beauty is thanks to a riparian lands grant distributed by Vermont Fish & Wildlife from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. A huge thank you to Northeast Farm Sales & Service, INC (NEFS) out of Irasburg, VT for hooking us up this awesome rig!

10/22/2026

Tonight, one of our partner organizations, Missisquoi River Basin Association is hosting a fun night of trivia at 7pm at Jasper's Tavern in Newport. There will be a wide variety of questions - not just water-related trivia!

If you're able, please come support them and there's a drink special that benefits MRBA.

What a fun way to spend an evening!

10/21/2026

Happening Tonight!

10/20/2026

For the eighth year, the Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA) has served as the regional administrator for the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s (VTDEC) Aquatic Nuisance Control Grant-in-Aid Program, distributing critical funding to local partners to support aquatic invasive species (AIS) management and prevention!

Read the full article about our work here:

2026 MWA, partnering with eight towns for greeter programs and two for milfoil management projects, was awarded a total of $163,885 in state funds. Of that amount, $156,081 went directly to grantee…

10/01/2026

Back in 2024, MWA worked with Vermont Fish & Wildlife to acquire 16 acres of floodplain habitat along the John’s River off North Derby Road in Derby. This acquisition connected two disjointed public parcels, which now provides over a mile of contiguous public access to the lower Johns River.

In 2025 & 2026, old agricultural equipment and vehicles were removed from the floodplain corridor and 420 native trees and shrubs were planted across 1.2 acres floodplain. These trees will create shade to help keep water temperatures low for fish to thrive during the hot summers. The trees will also provide habitat and cover for other local wildlife species. Additionally, the planted trees will contribute to a more complex floodplain dynamic to help slow down water and trap sediment and debris during high flows.

This project was funded by the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board in their role as the Memphremagog Clean Water Service Provider. MWA contracted the NorthWoods Stewardship Center to install the plantings.

09/25/2026

Did you know that open Forest Weekend is coming up organized by Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Tree Farm Program.

The weekend of October 3–4, 2026 you are invited to take a guided walk, meet the landowners and forestry professionals who care for these forests, and see firsthand what’s happening in the woods. Each Tree Farm has something different to discover from wildlife habitat and forest management to invasive plants, maple sugaring, local wood, ash tree management and more.

Whether you’re curious about how Vermont’s forests are cared for or simply looking for a beautiful place to take a fall walk, come spend some time in the woods with us.

All walks are free. Pick a Tree Farm and let us know you're coming!

https://vermontwoodlands.org/2026-forest-open-house-weekend

Registration is requested but not required.

09/24/2026

Back in August, we had a movie night at the Haskell Free Library & Opera House showing "Dreamers & Steamers". The film was produced by Louise Abbott, celebrating the fascinating steamboat era on Lake Memphremagog. We also presented project updates and talked about our efforts with the Clyde River Wild & Scenic Designation. Thank you to the Haskell and to all that came out!

Haskell Free Library and Opera House

09/22/2026

MWA's 2026 Memphremagog Matters Symposium and Annual Meeting was a hit! We had an awesome turnout from the local community and are ever grateful for their support! A big thank you to our amazing speakers, Kellie Merrill and Ben Copans from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Shout out to the East Side Restaurant & Pub for hosting the event.

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
The East Side Restaurant & Pub

09/15/2026

Introducing Ben Applegate, our Watershed Programs Coordinator. Ben will be overseeing community science initiatives, naturalist education events, and watershed monitoring studies as well as supporting the many restoration projects we carry out. Ben joined the MWA team full time in May after working with us on a part time basis since the summer of 2025 while completing a master’s degree in the UVM Field Naturalist Program.

His MWA sponsored Master’s project was a scoping study of the Clyde River for pursuing Wild & Scenic River designation. Wild & Scenic River designation is a federal program that secures funding and resources to help preserve remarkable values of rivers throughout our nation. Ben found a baseline level of local support for the Clyde and will continue to gather community support for this initiative going forward.

Ben brings a wealth of botanical and forest ecology knowledge and is well rooted in the NEK having lived here for over 25 years. He has recently developed a keen interest in waterways given the intense flooding of the past few years. “The sheer power of water is remarkable and humbling, and it is something we need to pay close attention to create safer and more resilient infrastructure in a region with increasing severe storm events.” He feels like he has found a perfect fit here at MWA and we couldn't be happier to have him on the team!

Address

Post Office Box 513
Newport, VT
05855

Telephone

(802) 487-0160

Website

http://www.mwavt.org/

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