Conservation Commission 2/10/26

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RCC Minutes 02-10-26 97 KB

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Richmond Conservation Commission Meeting February 10, 2026 
a. Committee business (~10 minutes): 
• Attending - Sam Pratt, Kit Emery, Bob Low, Trevor Brooks, Jeanette Malone 
• Sam, time keeper, and Jeanette, minutes taker 
• Approve Jan 13th minutes were approved 
• Updates from Sam: he will send information from Judy about the Native Plant Trust, 
and he attended a UVM landscaping class, which Trevor also attended. They will 
return on March 18, 12:30-2:30, to develop landscape design ideas. Sam will email us 
the information and their questions to the RCC 
b. CRF Renewal Updates (~10 minutes) 
• FPF posts in support 
• 2/23 budget meeting: Sam attended and shared our CRF information and report to 
demonstrate how the funds were used. Another meeting on 2/23 is happening - we 
need a rep to speak to it, and Judy may be available. Sam will email us info to give a 
shout-out about CRF on the FPF. Brad Elliott can share blurbs we post. What percent 
of Richmond is currently conserved? Depends on how we define conserved land. Ask 
Brad what percent the RLT would like to use? Bob mentioned that conserved land 
saves taxes. 
• Jeanette, ask Brad to address one of the postings and add the tax savings. 
• Sam will send the schedule of who posts when for the CRF promo after he discusses 
blurbs with Brad.
c. VNM Updates (~5 minutes) 
• Susannah provided an update on the Phragmites management project near her, through 
the VMN program, and as part of the ReWild Richmond Neighborhood Project. She is 
conducting further research on how to safely remove them and looking into herbicide 
certification requirements. She also noted a property mapping app to identify land 
ownership and contact the landowner for permission. 
• Jeanette raised concerns about the amphibians crossing where they are invading along 
Rt 2 and the need for VT Fish and Wildlife consultation, which she will do and share 
with Susannah. 
d. RCC Recruitment (~15 minutes) 
• Kit and Jeanette plan to reapply by April. 
• Bob is stepping down, but was invited to attend and offer support when he is able. 
• We welcome and thank Melissa Wolaver, our new Green Up Day coordinator. MW 
needs instructions from Ibit, our past coordinator. Jeanette will follow up with that. 
• Sam suggested a calendar outlining the tasks we need to complete and the supporting 
documents for the RCC annual projects. 
e. ACFC Updates (~20 minutes) 
• Sam reported almost done with the MP, hope to finish within 3 months. They are at the 
stage of putting all the pieces together, doing internal copyediting on spelling, 
grammar, and phrasing, and then sharing it with the RCC, TC, and SB for comment 
before sharing with the public. Estimated 40–80 pages including appendices. 
• The RCC and TC will review it before they reformat the MP, so they can identify any 
outstanding items that need to be changed. In the big picture, does the MP support the 
interests of the CC? Then integrate all of those comments into the final edits. Sam 
explained the MP is now the driver of the trail criteria rather than the other way 
around. 
• Bob asked about a professional writer. Sam acknowledged they had planned to hire 
someone, but given the extra time they have invested in content and other edits, they 
don’t feel they need a professional copyeditor in the end. It remains to be seen. The SB 
and members of the public expressed skepticism about paying for additional support; 
they prefer to handle it in-house. 
• Sam indicated that the RCC would have 2-3 weeks to review, followed by an RCC 
meeting to discuss and possibly vote. 
f. Save our Salamanders (~10 minutes) 
• Jeanette requested support for purchasing supplies totaling approximately $115; RCC 
members expressed support. 
• J shared that Katie Nolan is returning to collect and submit data. The training will be in 
late March. Participants from last year are encouraged to invite a friend, and J will cast 
a wider net in her email invitation. 
• Trevor asked about details and was encouraged to attend the training. 
g. Review Stock Invasive Species RFP (~35 minutes) 
• Plan for presenting to the SB 
• Bob asked about the purpose of the RFP. 
• Sam responded that this is a template for various projects, and it would target 
Overrocker and the riparian area along the river near Volunteer’s Green, leaving it open 
to the consultant’s recommendations for the work at hand. 
• Bob asked if this is applicable to the ACF 
• Jeanette noted that, given this is our first time testing this approach, we should be clear 
and designate #acres and develop a project-specific RFP.
• Sam responded, let’s run a first trial on the two areas Jon Kart recommended. 
• Sam asked if we want a bare-bones template or a more detailed one. 
• Bob expressed that we have all the content; let’s see how it goes. 
• Trevor - select a project and complete it so you can apply the lessons to future projects. 
• Sam - pick a project and share it with the SB instead of leaving it as a template. 
• Bob - this should be from us, by us, to the SB. 
• Josh told Sam it’s okay to float the idea to the SB with a sample. 
• Bob- Is it appropriate for the RCC to request funds for this project? 
• Sam will ask them via email for a single project. 
• Kit noted that Waitsfield applied for their own funding along with matching funds. 
• Jeanette suggested revisiting this next month to flesh out the details of the SB before 
formally requesting support. 
• Jeanette will fill in the blanks with Jon Kart for the next meeting and loop in Trevor and 
Sam. 
• Bob asked about UVM’s Rubenstein program to see if they would scope the project for 
us. 
• Sam will assess whether the landscape class at UVM would be interested in partnering 
with us, as they are meeting in March. Sam’s contact with WNRC might help us find 
funds if we plan to restore with natives. 
RCC Website (if time allows) - time did not allow 
j. Closure 
Motion made to adjourn at 9:15 
Key Action Items 
• Develop and circulate the CRF outreach posting schedule. 
• Consolidate and format the ACFC management plan. 
• Draft Volunteers Green invasive-species RFP. 
• Contact VT Fish & Wildlife re: Phragmites/amphibian site. 
• Coordinate UVM/WNRCD partnership exploration. 
• Organize Salamander volunteer training.