Upcoming Events
Wednesday, March 18
NOON - 1 PM
ZOOM
Conservation Conversation
Shared Ground: Aligning Land Conservation, Biodiversity, and Community Housing
As Vermont works to implement Act 59 and meet the goal of conserving 30 percent of land by 2030 and 50 percent by 2050, conservation is increasingly portrayed as being in conflict with affordable housing. Conserved land is often blamed for housing scarcity and decreased affordability, creating a false narrative that protecting biodiversity, public access, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience must come at the expense of communities. Drawing on two Stowe Land Trust projects developed in partnership with Downstreet Community Housing and Development, we will show how conservation and affordable housing can be intentionally aligned to deliver shared benefits. These projects demonstrate that thoughtful land conservation can support well sited community housing while also advancing biodiversity and climate goals. Ultimately, they show that caring for Vermont’s landscapes and caring for its communities are deeply connected goals.
Tuesday, March 24
9:30 AM - NOON
Burlington, VT
Prosperity Depends on Nature: A Mandate for New National Policies
with UVM’s Gund Institute for Environment, Oregon State University, and UC Santa Cruz
An interactive session on embedding recognition of nature into national policy, with a focus on the role natural systems play in economic performance, human health, community resilience, and long term national security. Jane Lubchenco and Heather Tallis will present a framework for ambitious policy change, moderated by Taylor Ricketts. Attendees will help brainstorm high leverage policies to inform an evidence based playbook for nature in national policy, to be released later in 2026. You can find more information here.
Wednesday, April 8
NOON - 1 PM
ZOOM
Conservation Conversation
What's Next in Wildlands: Biodiversity Initiatives at Northeast Wilderness Trust
While wildlands are essential for allowing natural processes to prevail, a recent assessment reveals that only 5.9% of the Northeast (and 3.3% of New England) is currently protected as such, with significant gaps in ecological representation—particularly within our region’s most common natural communities. This presentation will explore the data behind these findings and introduce a new web-based mapping tool designed to help conservationists identify the most intact and underrepresented landscapes in New England and New York.
To move from data to action, Shelby will also introduce the Wildlands Research and Ecology Network (WREN) and its Forest Ecology Small Grants Program. Launched in early 2026, this initiative addresses the chronic underfunding of wildlands science by supporting applied research on unmanaged forests, ultimately building a network of researchers and communicators dedicated to the ecological value of wild places.
Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions Tiny Grants Deadline
The AVCC is now accepting applications for our 2026 Tiny Grants! These grants are intended to support projects designed and implemented by conservation commissions in the broad categories of land conservation, education and outreach, stewardship and management, and planning. In order to improve the accessibility and transparency of our grantmaking process, we recently released additional guidance that lists eligible (and ineligible) activities, details the nine criteria we use to evaluate projects, and links to easy-to-use proposal templates. Projects that are high-impact, address a current issue/need and serve as a catalyst for future conservation work will be prioritized for funding.
Saturday, April 11
April 17 - 19
Burlington, VT
Northeast Natural History Conference
The Northeast's largest regional forum for researchers, natural resource managers, students, and naturalists to present current information on the varied aspects of applied field biology (freshwater, marine, and terrestrial) and natural history for the Northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. It will serve as a premier venue to identify research and management needs, foster friendships and collegial relationships, and encourage a greater region-wide interest in natural history by bringing people with diverse backgrounds together. For more info see the conference website here.
Wednesday, April 29
NOON - 1 PM
ZOOM
Conservation Conversation
Engaging at the Global Scale: The UN Biodiversity COP17
Join us for a conversation about the United Nations 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). We’ll break down what the COP is, how the global biodiversity framework works, and why it matters beyond national governments. The session will highlight opportunities for subnational actors- states, cities, regions, and civil society- to engage with and influence this global process, especially at a moment when federal leadership is undermining science and conservation- creating space for others to step forward and lead. The conversation is especially timely as the international community prepares to convene in October in Yerevan, Armenia.