Webinar

Vermont Conservation Design is the data and the vision that powers the BioFinder website. It is a prioritization tool that identifies the lands and waters most important for maintaining Vermont's ecologically functional landscape – one that conserves current biological diversity and allows species to move and shift in response to climate and land-use changes. Vermont Conservation Design allows users to see patterns in Vermont’s forests and waterways, and identify the places that connect both into a functional network. The Design was just updated with new landscape scale components and Wildlife Road Crossings. It now features more accurate edges of the habitat blocks, that allow for a better understanding of the pattern and network of connected forests. Join us to learn more about this important conservation science.

 Presenters:

• Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 
• David Moroney, Conservation Planning Specialist, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 

 This webinar will be offered on the following dates: 

• Session 3: Tuesday, April 30th, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Register

Vermont Conservation Design is the data and the vision that powers the BioFinder website. It is a prioritization tool that identifies the lands and waters most important for maintaining Vermont's ecologically functional landscape – one that conserves current biological diversity and allows species to move and shift in response to climate and land-use changes. Vermont Conservation Design allows users to see patterns in Vermont’s forests and waterways, and identify the places that connect both into a functional network. The Design was just updated with new landscape scale components and Wildlife Road Crossings. It now features more accurate edges of the habitat blocks, that allow for a better understanding of the pattern and network of connected forests. Join us to learn more about this important conservation science.

Presenters: Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department and David Moroney, Conservation Planning Specialist, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 

Repeat sessions of this webinar will be offered on the following three dates: 

Session 2: Thursday, April 4th, 2024, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Register

Session 3: Tuesday, April 30th, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Register

The BioFinder website is an online map and database that allows users to explore the patterns of habitat distribution that most impact Vermont’s biodiversity. It hosts the Vermont Conservation Design data – all components of a complete vision for maintaining ecological function to secure our natural heritage for future generations. The Biofinder website was just updated to BioFinder 4.0 and while the functionality is nearly identical to the previous version, now is the perfect time to learn how to better use this multi-faceted tool. Join us and improve your skills in using BioFinder. This webinar will focus on the functionality of the webmap itself. To learn more about the data behind the maps displayed on BioFinder, be sure to join an upcoming "Understanding Vermont Conservation Design" webinar.

Presenters:

• David Moroney, Conservation Planning Specialist, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 
• Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 

Repeat sessions of this webinar will be offered on the following three dates: 

• Session 3: Tuesday, May 14th, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Register

The BioFinder website is an online map and database that allows users to explore the patterns of habitat distribution that most impact Vermont’s biodiversity. It hosts the Vermont Conservation Design data – all components of a complete vision for maintaining ecological function to secure our natural heritage for future generations. The Biofinder website was just updated to BioFinder 4.0 and while the functionality is nearly identical to the previous version, now is the perfect time to learn how to better use this multi-faceted tool. Join us and improve your skills in using BioFinder. This webinar will focus on the functionality of the webmap itself. To learn more about the data behind the maps displayed on BioFinder, be sure to join an upcoming "Understanding Vermont Conservation Design" webinar.

Presenters:

• David Moroney, Conservation Planning Specialist, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 
• Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 

Repeat sessions of this webinar will be offered on the following three dates: 

• Session 2: Thursday April 11th 2024, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Register
• Session 3: Tuesday, May 14th, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Register

The BioFinder website is an online map and database that allows users to explore the patterns of habitat distribution that most impact Vermont’s biodiversity. It hosts the Vermont Conservation Design data – all components of a complete vision for maintaining ecological function to secure our natural heritage for future generations. The Biofinder website was just updated to BioFinder 4.0 and while the functionality is nearly identical to the previous version, now is the perfect time to learn how to better use this multi-faceted tool. Join us and improve your skills in using BioFinder. This webinar will focus on the functionality of the webmap itself. To learn more about the data behind the maps displayed on BioFinder, be sure to join an upcoming "Understanding Vermont Conservation Design" webinar.

Presenters:

• David Moroney, Conservation Planning Specialist, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 
• Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 

Repeat sessions of this webinar will be offered on the following three dates: 

• Session 1: Monday, March 25th, 2024 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Register
• Session 2: Thursday April 11th 2024, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Register
• Session 3: Tuesday, May 14th, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Register

Fish and other aquatic organisms face threats from development as well as increasing frequency and intensity of floods and droughts and rising temperatures. Restoring rivers to natural conditions will help ensure the long-term survival of aquatic organisms, and has co-benefits for water quality and flood resilience. This talk will highlight three areas where municipalities can help protect aquatic habitats: forested riparian areas, aquatic organism passage, and log jams. Join VFWD Aquatic Habitat Biologist Will Eldridge to learn how allowing rivers to function naturally where it is safe to do so is more effective and more sustainable in the long run.

Presenters:

• Will Eldridge, Aquatic habitat Biologist,  VT Fish and Wildlife Department 
• Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 

 Repeat sessions of this webinar will be offered on the following two dates: 

• Session 1: Wednesday, March 13th, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Register
• Session 2: Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Register

Fish and other aquatic organisms face threats from development as well as increasing frequency and intensity of floods and droughts and rising temperatures. Restoring rivers to natural conditions will help ensure the long-term survival of aquatic organisms, and has co-benefits for water quality and flood resilience. This talk will highlight three areas where municipalities can help protect aquatic habitats: forested riparian areas, aquatic organism passage, and log jams. Join VFWD Aquatic Habitat Biologist Will Eldridge to learn how allowing rivers to function naturally where it is safe to do so is more effective and more sustainable in the long run.

Presenters:

• Will Eldridge, Aquatic habitat Biologist,  VT Fish and Wildlife Department 
• Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 

 Repeat sessions of this webinar will be offered on the following two dates: 

• Session 1: Wednesday, March 13th, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Register
• Session 2: Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Register

Did you know that the Vermont Natural Heritage Inventory maps and monitors about 600 rare and uncommon plant species across the state? Join State Botanist Grace Glynn for a fun glimpse into some of our rare plants, where they’re found on the landscape, and the ongoing work to conserve them. Learn more about what towns can do to better protect these important pieces of our state’s natural heritage.

Presenters:

• Grace Glynn, Botanist, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 
• Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 

 Register

Did you know that the Vermont Natural Heritage Inventory maps and monitors about 600 rare and uncommon plant species across the state? Join State Botanist Grace Glynn for a fun glimpse into some of our rare plants, where they’re found on the landscape, and the ongoing work to conserve them. Learn more about what towns can do to better protect these important pieces of our state’s natural heritage.

Presenters:

Grace Glynn, Botanist, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 

Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department 

Repeat sessions of this webinar will be offered on the following two dates: 

Session 1: Thursday, March 7th, 2024, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Register

Session 2: Tuesday, April 16th, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m Register

Learn More >>

Six of Vermont's nine bat species are now listed as threatened or endangered. Increasing development pressure, climate change, and diseases such as White-nose syndrome call for close species monitoring, education, and statewide outreach. Bat habitat and roost sites such as caves, forests, and houses must be considered when planning land use year-round. Last year’s discovery that an unusually large Indiana Bat colony was still using conserved land in Hinesburg gives hope for the resiliency of this species in the Northeast and highlights Vermont’s unique role in conserving bats within and outside our state boundaries. Join the VT Fish & Wildlife Small Mammal Biologist, Alyssa Bennett, and the Community Wildlife Program to learn about the unique ecological role that bats play and what towns are doing to protect these threatened and endangered species.

Presenters:

• Alyssa Bennett, Small Mammal Biologist, VT Fish and Wildlife Department
• Jens Hilke, Conservation Planner, VT Fish and Wildlife Department

Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m. REGISTER