SHELBURNE -- Students from the University of Vermont (UVM) put a semester's worth of classwork into action in the field on April 28, as they implemented their restoration plans at the Nature Conservancy's (TNC) LaPlatte River Marsh.
Over 40 students from UVM have been working on restoration plans for the important marshland that included planting almost 500 trees.
"Our partnership is really terrific," said Rose Paul, Director of Critical Lands and Conservation Science at The Nature Conservancy's Vermont Chapter. "All these minds working on a problem coming up with solutions. This partnership is a huge asset."
The students joined staff from TNC for the tree planting at this critical habitat for migratory waterfowl located at the mouth of the LaPlatte River where it meets Lake Champlain in Shelburne Bay.
The Nature Conservancy has partnered with volunteers to control the invasive species plaguing the area, such as common buckthorn, and honeysuckle, which threaten the preserve's floodplain forests.
"This is the culmination of an entire semester of work," said Bill Keaton, professor of forest ecology and forestry at UVM. "It's very gratifying for the students to see their work put into effect and make a difference on the ground."
The tree planting is just part of the semester's work, which also looked at invasive-species control and riverbank stabilization. This is the third year Keaton's class has worked with TNC.
If you have questions regarding this story and the LaPlatte River Marsh call Rose Paul at the Nature Conservancy's Vermont Chapter at 802-229-4425 x108.