Vermont Conservation Voters

Into The Thaw
2024-10-18 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Patagonia, 191 College St, Burlington, VT
Join us on Friday, October 18th for an evening of storytelling and discussion with author Jon Waterman. Jon will be presenting his new book, Into the Thaw: Witnessing Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis, which attendees will have early access to purchase! A little about the book:

More than 40 years ago, Jon Waterman worked as a mountaineering ranger at Alaska’s Denali National Park. His 1983 patrol to the Noatak River in Gates of the Arctic National Park sparked a lifetime fascination with the wild, remote regions of the North. Waterman has since embarked on scores of expeditions to the North, often traveling solo by boat and on foot to document the natural wonders and cultural heritage across Arctic North America.
After a long hiatus from the Noatak headwaters, he returned with his son in 2021, witnessing firsthand the effects of climate change that he chronicled in a New York Times story, “36 Years Later, the Climate Changes at This National Park Stunned Me.” Amid a river now flooded, overgrown with brush, and bereft of once-abundant caribou, he was deeply disheartened by the many transformations.
In 2022, Waterman took a final, extended expedition “into the thaw” with the professional kayaker and photographer Chris Korbulic to carefully document the environmental and cultural changes precipitated by the climate crisis. They covered more than 500 miles on foot and by packraft down the entire river, then up the coast, passing through three different National Park Service managed lands to meet with scientists, interview Iñupiat (the Alaskan Inuit), investigate the many impacts of the Arctic climate crisis, and celebrate the enduring wonder of this special place. This book will be available in bookstores on November 12th.
Patagonia Provisions crackers and tinned fish will be available to sample alongside some Cabot cheese slices!
Schedule:

Doors: 6:30 PM
Presentation: 7:00 PM
8:00 PM: book signing of Into The Thaw: Witnessing Wonder amid The Arctic Climate Crisis

Walk ins will be welcome, but your RSVP will guarantee you a seat!

Jon Waterman
Author
Jon Waterman has worked as a director of a small press, an editor, a naturalist, a park ranger, a wilderness guide, a photographer, and a filmmaker. Among his many publications, Jon’s work has often appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Men’s Journal, Adventure, Climbing, and Sailing World. His 17 books include In the Shadow of Denali, Kayaking the Vermilion Sea,and Running Dry; he is a frequent grantee of the National Geographic Society. By taking risks and tackling difficult issues, his work transcends traditional outdoor yarns and has garnered numerous awards, including a Literary Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts, three Best Adventure Book Awards from the Banff Book Festival, a National Park Service Special Achievement Award, and the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award. He grew up in Lexington, MA, and lives in Carbondale, Colorado.

Community Partner: Vermont Conservation Voters
Founded in 1982, VCV works to elect environmentally-friendly candidates to public office, and then holds elected officials accountable for the decisions they make affecting our air, water, wildlife, land, communities, and health. One of the reps will be on site to tell us about their organization and answer any voter registration questions that you have! You can also sign up for their Pledge to Vote for the chance to win a 55L Black Hole Duffel!

VECAN Webinar: 2025 Legislative Session Preview
2025-01-15 12:00 - 13:00 | online
Join VECAN for the first webinar in its annual Winter Webinar series on timely clean energy and climate-focused topics for interested community leaders, stakeholders and partners. In this Legislative Session Preview on Wednesday January 15th at 12 pm, we are grateful to partner with Vermont Conservation Voters and its broad coalition of partners who have crafted their 2025 Environmental Common Agenda. Hear from policy experts across a broad array of climate, resilience, water, and other critical environmental issues to learn about the state of the Vermont Legislature and what issues will be key in 2025. Register Here!

2025 Common Agenda Reception
2025-01-16 16:30 - 18:30 | Upstairs at Hugo’s, 44 Main St, Montpelier, VT, United States
You are invited to the unveiling of the 2025 Environmental Common Agenda on Wednesday, January 10th, starting at 4:30pm. We will be Upstairs at Hugo’s Bar & Grill on 44 Main Street in Montpelier. Refreshments will be provided and a cash bar will be available.
We will be joined by special guests Senator Anne Watson, Representative Amy Sheldon, and Representative Kath James.
This agenda, developed in collaboration with a range of partner organizations, outlines our shared priorities for this legislative session. This event offers an invaluable opportunity to engage with climate experts, mingle with fellow legislators, and address your questions about this year’s environmental priorities.
The 2024 Environmental Common Agenda is in Partnership with:
Audubon Vermont
Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC)
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)
Lake Champlain Committee (LCC)
Preservation Trust of Vermont
Renewable Energy Vermont (REV)
Rights & Democracy (RAD)
Vermont Community Thermal Networks
The Vermont Climate and Health Alliance
Land Trust for Public Lands (TPL)
Third Act Vermont
350VT
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR)
Vermont Chapter of Sierra Club
Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV)
Vermont Council of Trout Unlimited
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL)
Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC)
Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG)

Green Drinks
2025-02-19 16:30 - 18:30 | Vermont Natural Resources Council, 11 Baldwin St, Montpelier, VT, 05601, United States
Every three weeks, environmental advocates, allies, and legislators gather together to network, socialize, and cross-pollinate ideas.
February 19th
11 Baldwin Street
4:30-6:30PM
There will be light snacks, drinks, and good conversation.
We hope to see you there!

Green Drinks
2025-03-12 16:30 - 18:30 | Vermont Natural Resources Council, 11 Baldwin St, Montpelier, VT, 05601, United States
Every three weeks, environmental advocates, allies, and legislators gather together to network, socialize, and cross-pollinate ideas.
March 12th
11 Baldwin Street
4:30-6:30PM
There will be light snacks, drinks, and good conversation.
We hope to see you there!

Green Drinks
2025-04-02 16:30 - 18:30 | Vermont Natural Resources Council, 11 Baldwin St, Montpelier, VT, 05601, United States
Every three weeks, environmental advocates, allies, and legislators gather together to network, socialize, and cross-pollinate ideas.
April 2nd
11 Baldwin Street
4:30-6:30PM
There will be light snacks, drinks, and good conversation.
We hope to see you there!

Green Drinks
2025-04-23 16:30 - 18:30 | Vermont Natural Resources Council, 11 Baldwin St, Montpelier, VT, 05601, United States
Every three weeks, environmental advocates, allies, and legislators gather together to network, socialize, and cross-pollinate ideas.
April 23rd
11 Baldwin Street
4:30-6:30PM
There will be light snacks, drinks, and good conversation.
We hope to see you there!

2025 Environmental Lifetime Achievement Award Reception
2025-04-28 17:30 - 19:30 | Chandler Center for the Arts, 71 N Main St, Randolph, VT, 05060, United States
On Monday, April 28th, we will be honoring former legislators Mark MacDonald and Dick McCormack with our 2025 Environmental Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mark and Dick have a combined 70 years of serving Vermont in the legislature and unwavering commitments to passing and protecting important environmental and climate policies for the state. We hope you will join us in honoring them and their years of service to Vermont.

Panel: What the Federal Reconciliation Bill Means for Vermonters
2025-08-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Old Shelburne Town Hall, 5376 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne, VT, United States
What’s really in Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”, and what will it mean for you and your family? How will it affect healthcare costs, food security, and Vermont’s clean energy economy?
There’s a lot of confusion—and concern—about what’s included in this sweeping new federal budget. It’s massive, packed with rollbacks, and difficult to understand how it will affect us locally. That’s why we’re hosting a panel to break down the impacts of this sweeping reconciliation package. The event will be held at the Old Shelburne Town Hall (5376 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482) on Wednesday, August 6th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
This event will inform Vermonters about the most significant rollbacks in the bill and how they could impact our communities–from healthcare and food security to clean energy and climate action. Panelists from VPIRG, Planned Parenthood, and HungerFreeVT will outline the local consequences of recent federal decisions, chart the path forward for protecting Vermonters from its worst impacts, and let you know what YOU can do to make a difference.
The evening will include:

An overview of the bill’s key provisions
A deep dive into specific issue areas (food security, healthcare, energy & climate)
Opportunities for an audience Q&A

If you’re overwhelmed, uncertain, or just want to make a little more sense of the moment we’re in right now, join us to get informed, ask questions, and connect with others who care about our state’s future.
RSVP: https://secure.everyaction.com/Cg3hHCuZukG2b4ic1bxvdA2

LEAD-VT Candidate Training: Fairlee
2025-10-25 10:00 - 16:00 | Fairlee Town Hall, 75 Town Common Rd, Fairlee, 05045, United States
Have you ever considered running for office or helping someone else in your community step up to run? Are you wondering what it takes to get on the ballot? And what it takes to win?
If so, this is a great training opportunity to introduce potential candidates to the ins and outs of successful campaigns!
Leadership Education and Development (LEAD)-Vermont is pleased to be offering an electoral candidate training for Vermonters interested in running for elected office or interested in supporting local candidates. This training series is being co-hosted by Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV), Rights & Democracy (RAD), Vermont Public Research Group (VPIRG), Vermont-NEA, ACLU of Vermont, Let’s Grow Kids (LGK) Action Network, Vermont Interfaith Action, and Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund.

This training is free for participants and is offered in two locations across Vermont on a Saturday this fall:
October 25: Fairlee
November 8: Middlebury
Participants will discuss and workshop:

Building a campaign team, framework, and messaging
How to find and engage with voters
The role of media, marketing, and publicity
Fundraising goal-setting and tactics
Seeking and receiving endorsements

A full agenda will be released to registrants prior to the start of the training.
Register today!

LEAD-VT Candidate Training: Middlebury
2025-11-08 10:00 - 16:00 | St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3 Main St, Middlebury, VT, 05753, United States

LEAD-VT Online Candidate Training
2025-12-06 10:00 - 16:00 | online
Have you ever considered running for office or helping someone else in your community step up to run? Are you wondering what it takes to get on the ballot? And what it takes to win?

If so, this is a great training opportunity to introduce potential candidates to the ins and outs of successful campaigns! Leadership Education and Development (LEAD)-Vermont is pleased to be offering an electoral candidate training for Vermonters interested in running for elected office or interested in supporting local candidates. This training series is being co-hosted by Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV), Rights & Democracy (RAD), Vermont Public Research Group (VPIRG), Vermont-NEA, ACLU of Vermont, Let’s Grow Kids (LGK) Action Network, Vermont Interfaith Action, and Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund.

This training is free for participants and is offered virtually on December 6th from 10am to 4pm.
Participants will discuss and workshop:

Building a campaign team, framework, and messaging
How to find and engage with voters
The role of media, marketing, and publicity
Fundraising goal-setting and tactics
Seeking and receiving endorsements

A full agenda will be released to registrants prior to the start of the training.
Register today!
