RUTLAND—Do you live in the Upper Otter Creek watershed and have an interest in becoming a volunteer member of a small team charged with directing an organization whose mission is helping the Upper Otter Creek watershed community conserve, develop and use natural resources responsibly? If so, the Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District (RNRCD) board of supervisors would like to meet and talk with you about an opportunity to join them and help make a difference.
RNRCD carries out various educational and outreach projects that give youth the opportunity to see and discuss with experts not only the importance of protecting water quality, sensitive habitats and the wildlife that depends on them, but also how responsible development and use of our natural resources plays a critical role in the sustainability of the region’s economy. Information and assistance are also provided for those responsible for the working landscape such as farmers, maple sugarers and woodlot owners to improve their methods, increase efficiency and understand best practices that affect their businesses. Workshops are provided for groups such as realtors and town road commissioners who need to understand new regulations and standards affecting them and their clients. The District is also deeply involved in river corridor planning and stormwater master planning.
Additionally, the board coordinates on-the-ground projects such as the summer volunteer water quality monitoring program, stream cleanup, tree planting along streams and rain garden installations. Larger projects have included stormwater treatment with constructed sand filters, infiltration trenches and erosion repair and prevention.
The five-member Board selects and directs a variety of natural resources programs that are largely carried out by the district manager with the help of board members and the critical support of our partners such as local municipalities, Rutland Regional Planning Commission, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Lake Champlain Basin Program, various schools within the District, U.S. Farm Service Agency, UVM Extension Service, U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rutland County Solid Waste District, many local businesses and our indispensible and greatly appreciated citizen volunteers.
If you have an interest in serving on the board of supervisors of the Conservation District and own at least one acre of land we ask you to contact manager Nanci McGuire at 775-8034 ext 117, email nanci.mcguire@vt.nacdnet.net or stop in the USDA Service Center on the second floor at 170 South Main Street in Rutland. For more information visit www.vacd.org/rcd.
