Progress
A timeline of progress made by the Vermont Alliance for Half-Earth since founding in 2018:
2018
Introduced the Vermont Alliance for Half-Earth and its early plans to leading conservation organizations in the state:
Northeast Wilderness Trust, Friends of the Mad River, Audubon Vermont, Vermont Natural Resources Council, Vermont Land Trust, North Branch Nature Center, Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy - Vermont, Friends of the Winooksi River, Vermont River Conservancy, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, and University of Vermont Field Naturalist Program.
Vermont Alliance Advisory Council
Formed with experts from Northeast Wilderness Trust; Audubon Vermont; The Nature Conservancy - Vermont; Vermont Land Trust; and the Vermont Master Naturalist Program – to provide scientific guidance to the endeavor.
Mantra
Adopted the mantra Half-Yard, Half-School, Half-Town, Half-Forest, Half-Valley to emphasize that everyone can play a role in biodiversity enhancement and thus contribute to a planetary endeavor.
2019
Planning Workshop
Sponsored a planning workshop with many conservation organizations in the state to introduce them to Half-Earth and the Vermont Alliance for Half-Earth and solicit their guidance on the early work of the Alliance. Over 90 leaders and staff naturalists attended.
Beginnings of A Shared Life Project
Secured funding and the services of a Field Naturalist Master’s student from University of Vermont to create an online resource for state residents and conservation organizations, detailed further in Projects under “A Shared Life” and in A Shared Life.
First American Flatbread Farmstead Gathering
Sponsored a well-attended event focused on biodiversity at the Lareau Farm Inn and American Flatbread in Waitsfield, detailed further here and in Projects under “American Flatbread Farmstead Gatherings.”
Vermont Master Naturalist Program for the Mad River Valley
Cosponsored the establishment of this program to pilot integration of biodiversity concepts in the offering.
School Partnerships
Organized educational events and sponsored several bioblitzes, detailed further in Projects under “School Partnerships.”
2020
Vermont Spring Backyard Bioblitz
See more in Projects under “School Partnerships.”
Online Publications
“A Shared Life: People and Biodiversity in Vermont” and “A Vermonter’s Guide for Protecting Biodiversity” are detailed further in Projects under “A Shared Life” and in A Shared Life.
Vermont Biodiversity Educators Institute
See more in Projects under “Vermont Biodiversity Educators Institute.”
2021
New Vermont Alliance for Half-Earth Website
Launched in spring 2021 to provide a wide array of resources and information on biodiversity preservation. This website was built by Maggie Citarella.
Vermont Spring Backyard Bioblitz
See more in Projects under “School Partnerships.”
Vermont Biodiversity Educators Institute
See more in Projects under “Vermont Biodiversity Educators Institute.”
Second American Flatbread Farmstead Gathering
Hosted a series of community education programs, including a community workshop and dinner, by Doug Tallamy, the highly-regarded entomologist from University of Delaware and author of Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard. Detailed further here and in Projects under “American Flatbread Farmstead Gatherings.”
2022
Our Better Nature was published in 2022 to present readers with stories, essays, and resources to guide and inspire action in favor of nature everywhere.
Met with conservation organizations in the fall to explore a statewide biodiversity coalition.
2023
Check back here soon to learn what we have in store for 2023. In the meantime, consider signing up for our mailing list for updates!
