Vermont Agricultural Museum : We are assisting this group with the development of a museum that will highlight the practices and equipment used by farmers in Vermont from around 1900 to 1960. The museum will be located on land owned by the group in Randolph Center . Current activities include making final alterations to permits and fundraising for building construction.

Randolph Area Family Farms: The RC&D serves as the fiscal agent and is a member of the steering committee for this group. The group consists of farmers, other businesses, organizations and individuals that are working together to strengthen and support agriculture in the area.

Connecticut River Birding Trail: This project is developing a series of maps linking sites along the river that are known for bird and other wildlife watching. Currently one section in the upper valley of Vermont and New Hampshire is complete and a second section to the Canadian border should be complete by June 2004. Work is beginning on the section south to Massachusetts and plans are also underway to extend the trail through Massachusetts and Connecticut to Long Island Sound. Additional information is available on the Connecticut River Birding Trail website.

Shire Town Common Community Center : The community center located on the south common in Chelsea , VT is a place for residents to gather, share ideas and occasionally view performances or shows by local artisans. The RC&D is serving as the fiscal agent for the community center.

White River Partnership: The partnership works at the grass roots level to improve the environmental, economic and cultural health of the watershed through active citizen participation. We serve as the fiscal agent for the partnership and administer several large US Forest Service Grants for them.

West River Watershed Alliance : The RC&D in partnership with the Windham Conservation District, is helping this organization to build capacity. They are working on restoration projects and water quality monitoring in the West River which is located in the southeast part of Vermont .

Sandgate One Room Schoolhouse: A group of local citizens is restoring a one room schoolhouse in the town of Sandgate in southwest Vermont . Once completed it will be open to the public to learn about education and schooling in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. the RC&D identified several sources of funding for this project.

Vermont Better Backroads – Clean Water You Can Afford: (Statewide) Addressing how backroads, a major taxpayer investment, can be effectively maintained without road gravel and sediment washing downhill and muddying our waters through financial and technical assistance.

Buxton Park Retaining Wall: We are working with the town of Londonderry and the Windham Regional Commission to replace a retaining wall along the West River in the village of South Londonderry . Once the wall is replaced the park can be reopened for use by residents and visitors.

Elizabeth Mine Study Group: The RC&D has funding available to acquire residential parcels near the mine to allow landowners to relocate. The mine is both an EPA superfund site and a potential national historic site.

Ompomponoosic Streambank Stabilization: We are assisting the town of Strafford in their efforts to stabilize the streambanks of the Ompomponoosic River between the villages of Strafford and South Strafford. This project also involves and educational component in cooperation with the local elementary school.

Grove Road Watershed: Grove Road is a steep winding dirt road leading down to homes along Silver Lake in the town of Barnard . Sediment from the road is washing into the lake, forming several deltas. The RC&D is working with the Barnard Silver Lake Association to help stabilize the road and reduce the runoff from the road.

Chelsea Village Flooding Relief: We are working with the town of Chelsea to help them manage the large volume of water that collects during spring thaws and heavy rains. Currently the water spreads out into several homes and businesses along the main street in town.

Vermont Envirothon: (Statewide) Hosting an annual Outdoor environmental education awareness program and event for Vermont High School students.

Farm & Wilderness Dairy Program: Farm & Wilderness runs several summer camps and year round educational programs at their facilities in Plymouth , Vermont . The RC&D is assisting them in securing the funding needed to purchase and install a commercial pasteurizing facility so they can utilize the milk from their farm for campers attending the camps and programs.

Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force: The task force, a working group both the George D. Aiken and Northern Vermont RC&Ds, assists towns and fire departments in their goal to reduce fire losses. The task force can provide assistance with dry hydrants, water supply plans, securing needed equipment and ISO issues.

Reading Elementary School Athletic Fields: The RC&D is assisting the school in the development of baseball and soccer fields on the school grounds.

Chelsea Family Center : The Chelsea Family Center serves low income families in Chelsea and surrounding towns by providing day care, a homework club youth and adult education as well as serving as a satellite office for state and private social service agencies. The RC&D is helping them to secure funding for their programs and is serving as the fiscal agent for the Family Center.

RC&D Program

George D. Aiken Resource Conservation and Development Council

Projects