2025 Annual Report

CHAIR: Jayne Lukens

SECRETARY: Jamie Kurowski

MEMBERS: Justin Marsh, Jake Bailey, Holly Ferris, Sara Lourie,

Tim Larned, Denice Crettol, Greta Hasler.

The Cambridge Conservation Commission (CCC) is a Selectboard-appointed advisory group dedicated to caring for the town’s natural environment. We educate and advise residents, students, and town officials on ecological topics, host community events, address invasive species, support youth participation in conservation camps, collaborate with state partners, advocate for environmental protection, and stay keen on local nature and wildlife sightings.

This past year, we focused on community outreach by first launching a survey to better understand the needs and interests of our community and the surrounding towns. We collected this data online and in person at our many tabling events throughout the year. The results will steer us into the new year with some exciting programming we have in the works. Thank you to those who gave us your insights!

Once again, we joined you at the farmer’s market, Green Up Day, and the 4th of July fair with games, info, merch, and our nature sighting map. Find us there again in the coming year, with new CCC logo tee-shirts for sale. 

Throughout the warmer months, Sara organized work parties to tackle the non-native plant Japanese Knotweed, which is covering ground along local riverbanks and popping up in town at an alarming rate. Vermont has seen increases in the plant in recent years, which chokes out native vegetation, causing a decline in insect populations, which, of course, impacts further up the food chain to fish, birds, and mammals. It also leaves the soil beneath it incredibly susceptible to erosion, worsening the flooding we have seen in recent years. Our working group, The Cambridge Knot Rippers, is always looking for volunteers. If you’d like to be part of that club and stay updated on outings, reach out to Sara at cambridgeJKW@gmail.com.

As always, we organized for Green Up Day in May and our own Orange Up Day on the first Saturday in November. We met for our annual community potluck after Orange Up Day at the school pavilion to celebrate the year together and a solid showing for cleanup participation. 

We were recipients of this year’s Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions Tiny Grant. Using a portion of the funding, we launched a “Welcome to Cambridge” brochure in both print and digital formats, designed to introduce newcomers to conservation-related resources and practices in our town. The brochure highlights local places to enjoy nature, guidance on waste management, information on local farms and CSAs, and opportunities to get involved with the CCC through volunteer and educational programs. Available at town offices and the Varnum Library in print. New to town? Send us an email, and we’d love to mail you one. The remaining grant funds supported the launch of a Bring Your Own campaign at the Jeffersonville farmers' market. Market-goers who brought reusable items such as plates, bowls, or cutlery received a one-dollar incentive. The program had a strong initial response, though participation declined over the course of the market season. We plan to continue the campaign next year, with increased collaboration from vendors to strengthen outreach and marketing.

For the third year, we helped fund the Four Winds nature program at Cambridge Elementary. This is a hands-on educational experience for students to get out of the classroom and learn about the natural world with a team of volunteers trained in natural sciences. Each year, the program's feedback is so positive that we plan to continue our commitment to funding.

Additionally, we funded a full scholarship for a teen to participate in the Green Mountain Conservation Camp at Buck Lake. We have limited spaces available for the coming year. Reach out if you know a teen looking to get involved in natural resources and the outdoors!

We welcomed a new member to the commission, Jamie Kurowski. She brings with her forestry, biology, and outreach knowledge and is an all-around fantastic addition to the team! 

We are looking forward to another year of hosting events and serving our community. Check out our newly launched website, where we aim to keep the town informed of all our goings-on. Find out more at www.cambridgevtconservation.org.

For more information, please find us here–

email: cambridgeconservationchair@cambridgevt.org

Facebook: facebook.com/cambridgeconservation

Instagram: cambridgevtconservation

www.cambridgevtconservation.org