Grant funds will be used to hire contractors for the purpose of treating invasive noxious exotic plants (upland and wetland sites) on specific properties across the state at the states request.1.…

This $100,000 Project Grant awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements program (CFDA 15.654) will fund the treatment of invasive noxious plants on state-managed wildlife management areas (WMAs) across Vermont. The grant will be used to hire contractors to conduct invasive plant treatment at upland and wetland sites on WMAs, with support from state land management staff and partners such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and conservation organizations. This effort aims to improve habitat management and conservation of natural resources on Vermont's state lands. The grant period runs from August 2024 through June 2029, with the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife serving as the primary awardee for this project.

Grant funds will be used to hire contractors for the purpose of treating invasive noxious exotic plants (upland and wetland sites) on specific properties across the state at the states request.1. State land management staff from VT department of forests, parks recreation. VT state lands are managed jointly by staff from the departments of fish wildlife forests, parks and recreation and environmental conservationall within the VT agency of natural resources. Foresters with the department of forests, parks recreation assist with identification and mapping of sites containing invasive plants and can assist with administration of retainer contract to treat sites on wmas. 2. USFWS staff associated with missisquoi NWR and the nulhegan basin of the silvio o. Conte fish and wildlife refuge may assist with identification and mapping of sites containing invasive plants on adjacent state-managed wmas. 3. The nature conservancy and the vermont land trust hold easements on various parcels of wmas and may assist with identification and mapping of sites containing invasive plants that require control efforts.