|
Steve Lotspeich Receives Hamilton Award (from UCF)
Urban and Community Forestry recently announced that Steve Lotspeich received the Hamilton Award: In recognition of a Tree Warden who has significantly advanced the goals of urban and community forestry through successful forestry practices, effective conservation planning, increased citizen engagement, and active public education. This award is in honor of Dr. Larry Hamilton, the former Tree Warden in Charlotte, and is limited to Tree Wardens.
Steve retired in March 2023, after a thirty-year career in the Town of Waterbury. During that time, Steve has served as Town’s Community Planner, Tree Warden, chair and co-chair of the Waterbury Tree Committee, as well as a host of other volunteer roles. Throughout his tenure, Steve has served formally and informationally as a champion and advocate for Waterbury’s trees, and a leader in their intentional cultivation and stewardship. Steve has provided ongoing leadership for the community’s very active Tree Committee. In the past few years alone, the Tree Committee has:
· Conducted a roadside ash inventory
· Received grant funding for preparation of an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Preparedness/Management Plan
· Received state ash tree management grant for proactive management and removal of unhealthy ash trees within the public right of way, which through a collaboration with community organizations, were used for firewood for community members
· Received a Caring for Canopy grant from the Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation for additional tree planting
· Received a Fruit and Nut Tree Grant from Vermont Garden Network for plantings in coordination with the Town’s community garden and recreation program
· Drafted a Tree Care Ordinance that will also serve as the town’s Shade Tree Preservation Plan for consideration by the Select Board.
Steve’s role in the municipal government enabled him to be a highly effective advocate, and liaise with Town staff and departments for major infrastructure and public works projects, annual budgeting, and more. Beyond staffing the Tree Committee, managing grants, and advocating for policy, Steve is an active and willing participant in ongoing stewardship efforts and plantings, and can often be seen running to a tree planting event prior to an evening committee meeting.
The Waterbury community, and especially Waterbury’s trees, have been enhanced because of Steve’s leadership and commitment. Thank you, Steve!
**CVRPC wants to also recognize Steve's dedication and leadership to our Board and Committees. He will be stepping down following our Annual Meeting in June. We sincerely appreciate all his hard work on behalf of our organization and the region.
Update of Projects Included in the Agency of Natural Resources Projects Database
CVRPC has been awarded grant funding through the Water Quality Division of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources 604b program. The grant is being administered by the Rutland Regional Planning Commission.
CVRPC intends to utilize the 604b grant funding to review Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Reports, Road Erosion Inventories, River Corridor Plans and Stormwater Master Plans. The review process aims to ensure projects identified through these assessments are both included and accurately represented in the Agency of Natural Resource’s Watershed Projects Database. Project stakeholders include the municipalities served by the CVRPC, watershed and land conservation groups, the Agency of Natural Resources, the Winooski Clean Water Service Provider and its Basin Water Quality Council, and the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District. This project is anticipated to benefit stakeholders by identifying potential water quality restoration project priorities which, when implemented, will lead
to improved water resources in the state.
| 
