2006 Connecticut River Aquatic Invasive Plants Project

Help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants in the Connecticut River & its watershed.

In 1995 NH Dept. of Environmental Services documented the first population of Eurasian water-milfoil in the VT & NH reaches of the Connecticut River in the Charlestown, NH area. By 2004 there were several other reported sightings of that species of invasive aquatic plant along the Connecticut River from Hinsdale, NH to Springfield, VT.

The goals of this project are to increase awareness about aquatic invasive plants and prevent their spread within the Connecticut River, its watershed and beyond and to inspect a number of sites along the river from southern reaches in Hinsdale, NH to northern reaches in Pittsburg, NH.

There will be 3 public presentations/workshops that will include an invasive aquatic plant identification exercise utilizing fresh plant samples. (See schedule below.)

There will also be 3 field visits to sites with populations of invasive aquatic plants. (See schedule below.) These visits are to provide opportunities to become familiar with aquatic plants in river habitats & to use plant identification skills learned in the workshop.

There will be several visits to other locations along the river to check for invasive aquatic plants.

Workshop attendance is not required to participate in the field site visits.

FREE WORKSHOPS & FIELD SITE VISITS
3 Public Presentations/Workshops
(Same content, different locations)

Brattleboro, VT; Tuesday, July 25, 6-8 PM: Room 2 East, Marlboro College Technology Center,
28 Vernon St./Rte 142, after the Brattleboro Museum of Art at the bottom of Main St. (This event is also sponsored by the Town of Brattleboro and the West River Watershed Alliance and additionally funded by Grant-In-Aid funds from the VT Dept. of Environmental Conservation.)

Norwich, VT; Wednesday, July 19, 6-8 PM: Multipurpose Room, Tracy Hall, intersection of Rte 5/Main St. & Church St., less than 1 mile from Exit 13, I-91 on Rte 5 North. Enter building on Main St. side across from Mascoma Savings Bank.

Littleton, NH; Saturday, July 22, 9-11 AM: TransCanada building at Moore Dam, approximately 1/2 mile on Rte 18/135 from Exit 44 ramp of I-93; small tan brick building at the TransCanada area at the top of Moore Dam, off of Rte 18/135, all the way at the end of the parking lot.
(Please don't confuse this with the State of NH Visitors' Center.)

3 Field Site Visits - Previously Documented CT River Infested Sites
(Participants must provide canoes/kayaks/non-motorized small craft. Information about several other field site visits will be available soon and at the workshops. Field visits will be cancelled if threat of thunder/lightning, strong winds or other hazards exist.)

Hinsdale, NH; Saturday, July 29, 9 AM-Noon: Launch on Prospect St., off of Rte 119

Rockingham, VT; Saturday, July 29, 1:30-4:30 PM: TransCanada launch, end of Herrick Cove Rd, off of Rte 5

Springfield, VT; Sunday, July 30, 1-4 PM: Hoyts Landing/Whites Cove, Charlestown Rd/Rte 5

For Information Contact Laurie Callahan (Project Coordinator & Aquatic Biologist): therivermist@hotmail.com or 802-258-2877

This project is sponsored by the Sullivan County Conservation District
with major funding from Connecticut River Joint Commissions 2006 Partnership Program and supporting funding from Connecticut River Conservation District Coalition and the Connecticut River Watershed Council.