Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIPs) monitor water bodies for new introductions of invasive species and report their findings to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). VIPs play a vital role in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species in Vermont. The main duties of a VIP include surveying a local lake or pond for aquatic invasive … Continue reading
Volunteers from Echo Lake, Lake Memphremagog, Lake Carmi, Waterbury Reservoir, Lake Champlain, Lake Willoughby and Seymour Lake gathered last Friday afternoon to learn about aquatic invasive species at a Volunteer Invasive Patroller, or VIP, workshop offered by the Watershed Management Division’s Lakes and Ponds Management and Protection Program. VIP workshops provide an opportunity to learn … Continue reading
Join us at a workshop offered on June 24, 2016 through the Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP). VIP workshops cover such fundamentals as the difference between native, exotic, nuisance and invasive species; how invasive species are introduced and established; how to differentiate native aquatic plants and animals from their invasive lookalikes (plants will be emphasized); and … Continue reading
As of Monday May 23, 2016 Scott’s Cove, which drains into Lake Memphremagog in Newport, VT, is temporarily closed due to an invasive species called starry stonewort. All persons and watercraft are asked to stay out of the cove until the Department of Environmental Conservation Lakes and Ponds program is able to determine the best … Continue reading
Lakes and Ponds Program staff recently confirmed the presence of starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) in a small cove on the southeast side of Lake Memphremagog in Newport. This non-native, invasive can develop large, dense stands, crowd out other aquatic plants, and can tolerate low- or high-nutrient conditions. Although it looks like a plant, it is … Continue reading
Join us at one of three workshops being offered in June through the Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP). VIP workshops cover such fundamentals as the difference between native, exotic, nuisance and invasive species; how invasive species are introduced and established; how to differentiate native aquatic plants and animals from their invasive lookalikes (plants will be emphasized); … Continue reading
Did you help control Eurasian watermilfoil in a Vermont lake, honor a VIP search commitment, staff a public boat access as a Greeter or catch the news on Lake Champlain’s 50th aquatic invasive species, spiny water flea, and wonder what the heck have Lakes and Ponds Program staff done this year about aquatic invasive species? … Continue reading
The aquatic invasive zooplankton, spiny water flea – a crustacean, not a flea as the name implies – has become Lake Champlain’s 50th aquatic invasive species. Details can be found in this August 28, 2014 Lake Champlain Basin Program press release: Spiny Water Flea Confirmed in Lake Champlain. The Lake Champlain Basin Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response … Continue reading
On August 26th, 11 volunteers assisted Lakes and Ponds Management and Protection Program staff in removing a new population of the aquatic invasive plant water chestnut (Trapa natans) from Lake Carmi in Franklin. Lake Carmi, approximately 1,400 acres in size, is the 26th Vermont lake/pond with a population of water chestnut. Water chestnut is a nonnative, annual, aquatic … Continue reading
