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Our First Membership Campaign
is Finally Here
We've come a long way in the past three years! Since the fall of 2013, the Friends has built strong connections to users groups and State agencies, and has become a key player in the State of Vermont's decision-making process, and a strong and effective partner and advocate for the reservoir.
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It costs only $250 a month to operate our small and vibrant organization. We don't have an office and we don't have employees. We have dedicated volunteers who do the important work of preserving the Waterbury Reservoir for future generations. Our monthly expenses simply provide the tools to do the work.
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Green Mountain Power Supports Waterbury Reservoir
The Friends of Waterbury Reservoir happily accepted a $250 grant from Green Mountain Power after beginning its first membership drive.
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"GMP is thrilled to support organizations that provide important services to our customers, and that's why we are so happy to work with the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir to help make a difference in the community," GMP President Mary Powell wrote.
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Boat Access Greeter
Wrapping Up Soon After a Successful Season
It's hard to believe that Zachary Johnston's summer season as our Boat Access Greeter will be winding up in just a couple of weeks!
He reports, "It's going well! Yes it can be crazy down there at times. I think next year it may be good to get a port-o-potty of some sort in there, but overall it has been good and people launching have been for the most part really supportive."
Support the Waterbury Reservoir
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Zachary began meeting boaters on Memorial Day weekend at the Blush Hill access in Waterbury and will end his season after Labor Day weekend.
Having a Boat Greeter available to educate boaters about best practices on the Waterbury Reservoir is helping everyone enjoy our great resource, which is key to achieving our organization's mission.
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Pint Night at the Reservoir (Restaurant, that is)!
Join us Monday nights at The Reservoir Restaurant & Tap Room on Main Street in Waterbury and support the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir!
Receive a voting token for every pint you buy, and drop that token our voting box on the bar near the patio door! For every token, we'll receive $.25 -- and ya know, that'll add up! |
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Thank you to the Reservoir Restaurant & Tap Room
for supporting the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir
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Save the Date
Mad Birders on the Reservoir
with Naturalist Zac Cota-Weaver
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Proceeds benefit
Friends of Waterbury Reservoir
Details Coming Soon
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Ranger's Report
VT State Parks Floating Ranger, Chad Ummel
Mid-Summer 2016
Developments during the 2016 season include:
- Strategic placement and construction of several more mouldering toilets by park staff and the VT Youth Conservation Corps.
- Installation of wood shaving containers and directional signs for mouldering toilets.
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- Reinforcement of eroding shoreline and installation of stairs on Remote Site 24.
- Placement of numbering system for the public to better identify and locate designated remote sites (using the posts that were installed last summer).
- Deconstruction and removal of several undesignated campsites and day use areas.
- Phased-in collection of camper registration once on-site.
- Increased interaction between park staff and Reservoir users with greater park staff presence on the Reservoir. On-water staff is scheduled during peak usage hours and during anticipated arrival times of many remote campers. Reservoir usage monitoring has been increased to 7 days a week.
- Notable decrease in inappropriate activities at high-impact areas such as Elephant Rock.
- Site development to include brush clearing, resetting of over-sized fire rings, reconstruction of weakened furniture, installation of level tent sites, improved water access trails, etc.
- Reservoir Map updates better identifying locations of mouldering toilets, boat wash stations, etc.
- More detailed Emergency Action Plans for waterfront emergencies are being developed.
- Park staff continues to monitor for Aquatic Invasives and have increased educational efforts to inform the public about best prevention practices, in collaboration with Friends of Waterbury Reservoir's Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Access Greeter.
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Port-O-Potty at Waterbury Dam Boat Access
Thank you, Vermont State Parks, for agreeing to experiment with installing a port-o-potty at the Waterbury Dam boat access this summer!
The State is exploring options for installing similar unit(s) at the Blush Hill access next year, if a safe and practical location can be found.
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Thanks to community stewardship, rusty nails cleaned up at the Blush Hill boat access
VT State Parks' Floating Ranger, Chad Ummel responded recently to a neighbor's report of a large quantity of nails found at the Blush Hill boat access. He removed about 1,000 common 3" nails, and was soon aided by concerned day users.
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All of the nails that Chad and the neighbor could find have been removed, but he suspects there are more beneath the water’s surface. His best guess is that a full box of nails fell off of a truck or was misplaced during ice shanty repair between three to five years ago, based on the amount of rust. We posted a heads-up right away on social media. And Zachary, our boat access greeter, has been keeping an eye out too.
Community stewardship is key to preserving the ecological, recreational, and historical values of the Reservoir. Reporting concerns at any time is welcome and encouraged.
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Who Ya Gonna Call?
Emergency 911
Little River State Park & Floating Ranger: 802-244-7103
Waterbury Center Day Use State Park: 802-244-1226
VT State Police Marine Division: 802-878-7111
VT Loon Recovery Program: 802-649-1431
VT DEC Invasive Plant Species: 802-490-6120
VT Fish & Wildlife Enforcement: 802-229-9191
Friends of Waterbury Reservoir: 802-760-7286
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State Park grapples with heavy Reservoir traffic
Stanley Blow | Waterbury Record
July 28, 2016
Photo by Gordon Miller
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The mercury was pushing 80 degrees, but a cool breeze whispered through the trees near the Waterbury Reservoir. And people wanted to feel that breeze — a lot of people. At the end of Reservoir Road last Sunday, a sign proclaimed “Park Full.” Even so, a line of cars 12 to 15 deep waited at the gate, trying to get into Waterbury Center State Park and a chance to cool off in the 850-acre reservoir. Click here to read more.
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Improvements to the Cottonbrook access coming soon
A Reservoir Recreation Plan is one component of Green Mountain Power's license to operate the hydro-electric facility at the Waterbury Dam. One of the planned recreation improvements will take place at the Cottonbrook block canoe access area, located near the village of Moscow (Stowe).
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VT Forests, Parks & Recreation staff (pictured, in March 2016) and Friends of Waterbury Reservoir are coordinating closely with GMP to finalize the construction plans and timeline. Stay tuned!
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The Price of Paradise
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Working to keep the
Waterbury Reservoir Clean
Stowe Guide & Magazine
Kate Carter | Stowe Guide & Magazine
Click Here for Full Article
[scroll to page 63]
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Friends of Waterbury Reservoir logo performance cap
There's still plenty of summer left!
$15 While Supplies Last
100% polyester; white cap with mesh inserts and reflective taping; unstructured;
precurved bill with reflective bill trim;
self-fabric adjustable loop Velcro® closure. Buy Here
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More News Coming Soon
Registration for Birding on the Res 9/25/2016
#GivingTuesday Campaign 11/29/2016
Operation Paddle Smart, Summer 2017
Announcement of new Board Members
Available Leadership & Team Member Positions
More...
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OUR MISSION
Friends of Waterbury Reservoir is a Vermont-registered 501(C)3 non-profit organization committed to protecting and enhancing the ecological, recreational, historical, and community values of the Waterbury Reservoir.
We accomplish this through:
• Reservoir stewardship
• Research and community involvement
• Collaboration with all stakeholders
• Connecting people and place
OUR VISION
The Waterbury Reservoir is a thoughtfully-maintained, safe, and clean public-access recreation area located at the crossroads of world-class resort towns and yet offers a remote experience for users. The Waterbury Reservoir is recognized as a unique resource and an important conservation and economic asset for the people of the state of Vermont.
OUR CORE VALUES
We believe it is essential to:
• Strengthen relationships with stakeholders including neighbors, businesses, governments and other organizations and extend our role as convener and supporter;
• Build a community of water- and land-based Reservoir users; and
• Support stewardship and conservation of the natural world on and around the Reservoir.
We believe it is important to:
• Provide access, and promote responsible recreation as a means to engage people directly and pass on timeless values;
• Honor the history of the communities that existed on the Reservoir and their contribution to the area;
• Collaborate with other organizations in accomplishing shared goals; and
• Use outdoor recreation as a vehicle to help youth engage with and learn about the natural world.
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