Norwich University receives $2M grant to boost participation in STEM

Dr. Darlene Olsen, a Charles A. Dana Professor of Mathematics and Norwich University coordinator for the Vermont Biomedical Research Network, secured this second National Science Foundation (NSF) grant aimed at recruiting and retaining low-incoming, high-achieving undergraduates. Thanks to the generous $2M continuing grant from the NSF, Norwich will help remove the financial barriers often limiting academic opportunities for highly qualified undergraduates interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The 6-year Track 2 project will provide scholarships of up to $15,000 per year to 27 academically talented low-income undergraduate students who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, neuroscience, mathematics, or physics. The project team includes Drs. Sarah Gallant (Chemistry), Allison Neal (Biology), and Tara Kulkarni (Associate Provost of Academic Research) from Norwich University and Dr. Liz Johnson, the external reviewer.

Vermonters encouraged to support threatened, endangered species recovery with Nongame Tax Checkoff

Vermont’s Nongame Wildlife Fund is essential to the conservation and restoration of some of Vermont’s most at-risk wildlife, from bumblebees and butterflies to mussels, birds and mammals.  Thanks to a checkoff option on the Vermont state income tax form, donating to the fund is easy and impactful.

“Responding to biodiversity loss starts right here in Vermont, where we work hard to safeguard the wildlife and plants we care about,” says Rosalind Renfrew, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Diversity Program Manager.  “What’s more, every dollar Vermonters donate to Nongame Wildlife Fund on their taxes is doubled or tripled when donations leverage matching federal grants, securing even more resources to benefit Vermont’s wildlife.”

Vermont’s Nongame Tax Checkoff has been helping since 1986 to recover species that were once on the brink of extinction in Vermont, like the common loon, osprey and peregrine falcon.  Most recently, the bald eagle was removed from Vermont’s list of endangered species.  The Nongame Wildlife Fund continues to support nest monitoring for loons, peregrines and eagles to ensure that numbers remain robust.  Meanwhile, species of turtles, bats and other birds are in need of conservation action. 

“Nongame Checkoff donations have made possible some of our greatest conservation success stories, and they continue to fund front-line work on behalf of our most at-risk species,” said Renfrew.  “The eastern meadowlark and rue anemone wildflower were recently added to Vermont’s threatened and endangered species list, and we’re already taking action to support their populations.  The Nongame Checkoff is one of the most direct ways Vermonters can conserve Vermont’s biodiversity, starting with species that are most imperiled in our state.”

Waterfowl blinds must be removed

Waterfowl hunters who did not remove their hunting blind from the waters of the state earlier must do so before February 15 on Lake Champlain or May 15 on inland waters according to a reminder from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

State law requires removal of the blind together with its contents and any surrounding debris located on or in the water before these deadlines to protect natural areas and to prevent boating accidents after the ice melts. 

“Removal of the blinds and any posts that may be below the surface of the ice is important because of the danger they present when boaters are on the water in the spring,” said State Game Warden Colonel Justin Stedman. 

Stedman says wardens annually record names and addresses of blind owners and will follow up with inspections.