news & events

seeking new staff for our lake watershed work! 

Lake Watershed Program Specialist – Join the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District team! The primary role of this position will be to work with lakeshore landowners, lake associations, and state and local partners in four priority watersheds to address land use impacts to surface waters from sediment and nutrients from individual lakeshore properties, municipal roads, and other high priority areas in a lake’s watershed. The position will be based out of our office in Newport VT. Bachelor’s degree is desired but not required with at least two years of work experience in a related field.  The Orleans County NRCD is an organization that offers staff a supportive work environment with a goal of meeting our clients need as well as the wellbeing of our staff.  Click here for the full job description, salary and benefits. Applications are due by the end of Monday December 30th. To apply, please send your cover letter and resume as one PDF to: sarah.damsell@vt.nacdnet.net. No phone calls please

Our organIZATION IS GROWING! wELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS

First, we bid a fond farewell to two members of our Board of Supervisors, Pat Sagui and Tim Buzzell. We thank them for their contributions, totaling over nine year of service! We will miss their valuable insights and support.

And we are thrilled to pass the torch to FIVE new members: David Fox, Alyssa Conn, Chris Steel, Emily Dehoff, and Bruce Urie. Not only are they fascinating people, but they also bring a passion for conservation and a suite of skills that is sure to be deeply impactful. You can read  their bios in our Spring and Summer Newsletters and on our “meet the board and staff” page.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF PETITIONS FOR ELECTION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICT SUPERVISOR 

To all landowners residing within the boundaries of the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District (NRCD), notice is hereby given that on November 1st, 2024 petitions for the position of Supervisor for the Conservation District will be available. An election will be held on January 9th, 2025 for one Supervisor for the District. Petitions must be completed and returned to the local Conservation District office by close of business on December 30th, 2024. Supervisors for each Conservation District board are elected for a term of five (5) years and can receive per diem.  

Only persons, firms and corporations who hold title in fee land and residing within such an organized district are eligible to sign a petition or vote. Conservation Districts are local subdivisions of state government established under the Soil Conservation Act of Vermont. An eligible voter may contact Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District at 59 Waterfront Plaza Newport 802.334.6090 x7008 for a petition or more information. Or click here for the petition.

Orleans county farMers doing good conservation work

The Farm at Wheeler Mountain — owned and operated by Orleans County NRCD board chair, Joanna Lidback — has been focusing on conservation efforts since 2017. They have been implementing BMPs with assistance from OCNRCD staff and with technical and financial support through the USDA NRCS Memphremagog RCPP program. Check out the farms accomplishments in this one pager.

Water Quality Reports & Resources

• VTDEC Lake Memphremagog Basin Plan – September 2023
• Lake Memphremagog Water Quality Reports
• Watch this YouTube video on Vermont’s Tactical Basin Planning Initiative – Past, Present, and Future

Conservation Success Stories!

Orleans County NRCD highlights local farmers who reduced their nonpoint source pollution by installing best management practices that have measured phosphorous runoff reductions in Orleans County watersheds!

Click here to read the Jones Farm conservation practice adoption success story.

Click here to read the Morin Farm over 85% phosphorus reduction success story.

Click here to read the McCormick Farm 50% phosphorus reduction success story.