Franklin County NRCD - VT

06/02/2026

Don't forget to register for our Saturday morning bird walk at High Ponds Farm Nature Preserve in Montgomery. It'll be a great chance to get outside and learn about local birds with some fellow bird nerds 😎

https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/event-details/birding-at-high-ponds-farm-nature-preserve

On June 6th, join us for a guided bird walk at High Ponds Farm Nature Preserve in Montgomery. Led by FCNRCD staff and a Hazen's Notch Association naturalist, we’ll look and listen for local bird species while learning about migration, habitat, and the landscapes that support wildlife in our region.

The walk will be about 1 mile total along a relatively flat out-and-back trail.

Learn more and register here: https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/event-details/birding-at-high-ponds-farm-nature-preserve

Note: This event will be limited to 15 participants.

06/01/2026

Last Tuesday, FCNRCD was joined by volunteers from Ben & Jerry's for a day full of Stream Cleaning! Prior to the event, FCNRCD partnered with the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi to identify recreational areas frequently used by the community. Four hot spots were identified and visited by stream cleaners along the Missisquoi River, including Marble Mill Park, Swanton Public Boat launch, and Louie's Landing of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, along with Frog Pond behind the Highgate Park-and-Ride.

These recreational areas are important to the Abenaki Community, general public, and the residents of these areas. FCNRCD is happy to have made a positive impact, with the help of Ben & Jerry's volunteers, to the health of the waterways and improve safety for recreationalists!

Thank you to the volunteers from Ben & Jerry's for coming out and helping us make a difference!

05/29/2026

FCNRCD is turning 80 years old! Celebrate with us on Monday, July 13th, 2026 at the Fairfield Community Center as we reflect on eight decades of conservation in Franklin County.

Enjoy an evening of community connection and good food, including pizza fresh from the Community Center’s wood-fired oven. The event will also feature a raffle of local farm products and a look back at the District’s history and lasting impact across the county.

All are welcome. Please RSVP so we can plan for food and refreshments: https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/event-details/fcnrcds-80th-birthday-party

05/28/2026

If you stopped by Hudak to pick up trees during Franklin County NRCD’s annual tree
sale on May 2nd , you may have encountered our inaugural ‘Conservation Fair’. We want
to thank our partners and volunteers who participated in the fair, including UVM Extension Master Gardeners, Forest Pest First Detectors, Friends of Northern Lake Champlain, Composting Association of Vermont, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Lake Champlain Basin Program.

During the conservation fair, attendees were able to learn about local and regional conservation initiatives and natural resources programs, received practical advice on care for trees and soil health, learned about local forest pests and what to keep an eye out for, and may have even had the chance to test their soil for heavy metals.

Thank you to all of those who weathered the chilly spring drizzle to volunteer and participate in our fair, sharing their knowledge and expertise with our community!

05/25/2026

A pilot design project in Montgomery has been moving forward to add wood to streams to improve water quality, habitat, and ecosystem health.

FCNRCD, in partnership with Redstart, and with funding provided from the Northwest Regional Planning Commission acting as the Missisquoi Bay Basin Clean Water Service Provider with funds from Vermont DEC Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP), is working on private lands to advance this project across headwater streams

Read more on our blog: https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/post/strategic-wood-addition-design-project-moving-forward-in-montgomery

05/20/2026

On May 5th, the Franklin County NRCD held its annual tree sale pickup, distributing over 11,900 stems, which have now found their new homes planted in orchards, along stream banks, within yards, in community spaces, and elsewhere throughout Northeastern Vermont. Let us know, where did you plant your trees?!

We want to extend a huge thank you to Hudak Farm for hosting us this year. With over 200 customers picking up their orders, and additional community members dropping in to see what extra trees we had, it’s an incredibly busy day. We are grateful for the opportunity to share the space for a day and host our tree sale pickup at such a beautiful farm.

If you missed the tree sale this year, visit https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/ to subscribe to our newsletter and receive notice when pre-orders open next winter.

05/19/2026

On June 6th, join us for a guided bird walk at High Ponds Farm Nature Preserve in Montgomery. Led by FCNRCD staff and a Hazen's Notch Association naturalist, we’ll look and listen for local bird species while learning about migration, habitat, and the landscapes that support wildlife in our region.

The walk will be about 1 mile total along a relatively flat out-and-back trail.

Learn more and register here: https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/event-details/birding-at-high-ponds-farm-nature-preserve

Note: This event will be limited to 15 participants.

05/18/2026

Healthy Roots Collaborative and Feeding Champlain Valley (now under CVOEO) are hiring a Food Access and Gleaning Coordinator to glean surplus produce from farms and distribute them food to recipients and agencies. This position is based in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.

Learn more and apply here:

The Food Access and Gleaning Coordinator works gleaning products from farms and distributing food to recipients and agencies. Responsibilities include coordinating with farmers to glean surplus from fields and pick up pack-house 2nds with the help of volunteers. The position also helps make deliveri...

05/11/2026

Over the past three and a half years, Vermont Cattlemen has led a team of dairy farms producing beef x dairy crossbred terminal beef animals to learn about the economic potential for growing a Northeast-based beef supply chain. Join an upcoming educational event where Vermont Cattlemen will share learning from this research to help farmers find or refine their place in the beef supply chain during this unprecedented time.

Learn more and register to participate in events taking place on June 10th, June 25th, and June 26th here:

May 8, 2026 Event Registration Over the past three and a half years, Vermont Cattlemen has led a team of dairy farms producing beef x dairy crossbred terminal beef animals to learn about the economic potential for growing a Northeast-based beef supply chain. Kevin Channell and Roger Osinchuk are the...

05/11/2026

FCNRCD is offering free stormwater consultations to residents in Franklin County.

This is a great opportunity to have your questions about stormwater drainage and erosion on your property answered! If you are interested in learning about rain gardens, water bars, and infiltration trenches, we are here to help.

Schedule your free stormwater consultation today to learn about managing stormwater runoff, reducing erosion, and improving water quality!

Please fill out this Google Form to register for a consultation: https://TinyURL.com/FCNRCD-Stormwater

If you have other questions, please reach out to us at 802-582-3133 or [email protected]