In May, Vermonters do Green-Up Day. Now state officials are urging them to participate in a September River Clean-up Month.

Gov. Phil Scott, Environmental Conservation Commissioner Misty Sinsigalli, and Watersheds United Vermont at a press conference Thursday highlighted opportunities for Vermonters to get involved during River Clean-Up Month this September. This initiative emphasizes the important role Vermonters play in keeping the state’s waterways clean.

“With tourists coming soon to experience our fall foliage, and water levels low, which has exposed debris from the floods of ‘23 and ’24, it’s a great time to get out to clean up our rivers and streams,” said Scott. “There are many opportunities to get involved during the month of September. Much like Green Up Day, if we all pitch in to do our part, our state will be much more beautiful.”

With more than 20,000 miles of rivers and streams in Vermont, waterways play a vital role in the health of the environment, communities, and economy. Clean water protects public health; supports fishing, swimming, and boating, and provides critical habitat for wildlife.

River clean-up activities can be found below, as well as on the Watersheds United Vermont website.

Black River Action Team

Cleanup Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025

Meeting Location: Riverside Middle School, 13 Fairground Road, Springfield, VT

Website: https://www.BlackRiverActionTeamVT.org

Connecticut River Conservancy

Cleanup Date: Multiple cleanups on September 26 and 27

Website:  https://www.ctriver.org/source-to-sea-cleanup

Sign to join or host a cleanup: https://sourcetoseacleanup.org/

Friends of the Winooski River

Cleanup Date: September 6, 2025, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Meeting Location: Montpelier City Hall, 39 Main St., Montpelier

Website: https://winooskiriver.org/river-clean-up

Cleanup Date: September 13, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Meeting Location: parking lot on Boynton St. across from Spaulding High School in Barre, VT

Website:  https://winooskiriver.org/river-clean-up

Missisquoi River Basin Association and the Upper Missisquoi and Trout River Wild and Scenic Committee

Cleanup Date: September 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Meeting Location: Riverwalk Park, 2582 N Main St, Montgomery Center

Website: https://www.umatrvt.org/events

White River Partnership

Cleanup Date: September 7, 2025, 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Meeting Location: Academy Building – 4266 VT Route 14, Royalton Village

Website: https://whiteriverpartnership.org/

Wildlife violations increase

The penalties for wildlife violations have increased substantially, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

Poachers who illegally shoot deer, bear, moose, or wild turkeys now face higher fines and jail sentences.  Maximum fines have doubled from $1,000 to $2,000 with a potential jail sentence of up to 60 days for the first offense.  A second offense now brings a maximum fine of $5,000 and potential jail sentence of up to 180 days.  

The same penalties also now apply for possessing, transporting, buying or selling big game; violations of threatened or endangered species laws; interference with hunting, fishing or trapping; and illegal commercial importation or possession of wild animals.

“These changes are long overdue,” said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelder.  “Vermont’s wildlife violation penalties have remained unchanged since 2015.”

The changes, which are now in effect, were included in Act. 47 passed by the Vermont legislature in the spring.

Nominations for outdoor awards

Nominations for the Fifth Annual Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Legacy Award are being accepted here until 5 PM on September 12. VOBA presents the award annually to individuals whose leadership has contributed substantially to Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy.

In 2021, the inaugural award honored the U.S. Senator for his career contributions to Vermont’s conservation, recreation, outdoor businesses and organizations, and communities. Winners included Marc Sherman and Mike Donohue from Outdoor Gear Exchange, Johannes von Trapp from the Trapp Family Lodge, and Mike Solimano from Killington Resort & Pico Mountain for their historical and long-lasting contributions. 

VOBA will present the 5th award at the Seventh Annual Outdoor Economy Summit on November 13.