Thank you to everyone in the towns of Plymouth and Mount Holly for supporting another successful year of the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program for both Woodward Reservoir and Lake Ninevah!
This was the 6th year for this program at Woodward Reservoir and the 24th year for Lake Ninevah. Both programs continue to be supported with funding, training, and resources from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Aquatic Nuisance Control (ANC) Grant-in-Aid funds and matching funds from Farm & Wilderness Conservation. Thank you to the Town of Plymouth and the Town of Mount Holly for coordination efforts with Farm & Wilderness Conservation so that we can continue to receive this important grant funding to run the program.
This summer 2025, our greeters were able to complete 1,263 hours and greeted over 2,238 boaters entering and leaving the water from public access areas for Woodward Reservoir and Lake Ninevah. Boat checks are part of the “Clean, Drain, Dry” initiative in preventing hitchhiking non-native invasive plants and animals. Big thank you to our team of greeters this summer: Annabel, Karen, Patrick, and Lesley. Greeters not only help to remind lake visitors to keep their boats clean, but they also provide information about aquatic invasive species in Vermont and collect vital data that help us understand and track species movement in the state.
Additionally, Arrowwood Environmental completed an annual aquatic plant survey for Lake Ninevah in September. Unfortunately, the survey crew found several small populations of Eurasian Watermilfoil growing in Lake Ninevah highlighting just how important these measures are in stopping the spread as early as possible. Once the plants were identified, Farm & Wilderness Conservation initiated our Early Detection and Rapid Response plan in collaboration with the State of Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Divers removed the existing populations this fall and we will continue to monitor the sites for regrowth. We intend to apply for permits from the Agency of Natural Resource which will allow us to install bottom barriers during the 2026 growing season.
Prevention measures such as greeter programs and surveys help waterbodies keep invasive species like Water Chestnut, Eurasian watermilfoil, and Zebra Mussels from spreading. Over 100 of the Vermont lakes, ponds, rivers, and reservoirs have a known invasive species infestation, check out which ones on the Vermont Infested Waterbodies List. It is important that these prevention programs continue in the future. Learn more about invasive species and spread prevention on the VT DEC Lake & Ponds website.
Grant funding through the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation covers a percentage of the costs associated with these programs, while Farm & Wilderness Conservation funds the rest. For us to continue to maintain these valuable programs in the future, we will need financial support from the community.
There are hundreds of aquatic invasive infestations in the waterbodies of Vermont and surrounding states that will continue to pose a risk for spread to other waterbodies. Greeter and survey programs are the key to early detection and awareness to mitigate the spread of invasive plants and animals that can harm the health of our lakes and ponds. These programs helped to eradicate TWO Eurasian watermilfoil infestations in Lake Ninevah in the last two decades and we are in the process of working on the third infestation detected this year at Lake Ninevah. Farm & Wilderness Conservation is committed to maintaining these programs for both Lake Ninevah and Woodward Reservoir as long as we have the funds to do so.
You can support these programs by making a donation to Farm & Wilderness Conservation!
If you are interested in learning more, joining us as a greeter or volunteer, or have questions about how to support this program, please contact conservation@farmandwilderness.org