Many of the the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District conducted surveys and hosted Local Work Group (LWG) in-person meetings concluded that invasive species support  needs to be one of the priorities for a local fund pool. 

Problem Statement/Need based on Community Input:

• The spread of invasive species threatens local ecosystems, native biodiversity, water quality, and increases erosion.
• There's a need to target smaller infestations and educate the public.

Goals: Work with Orleans County CISMA to minimize spread by depleting species of concern: Phragmites, Bush honeysuckle, Japanese knotweed and common barberry, and glossy buckthorn

• Conduct 2 outreach workshops by 2027 in coordination with the Orleans County CISMA.
• Collaborate with at least 30 landowners to reduce the size and number of 100 already established infestations.
• Achieve at least 80% depletion of biomass in treated areas compared to baseline data

Project Area: Orleans County, Vermont.

Core Conservation Practices proposed to address need:

• Brush Management (314)
• Herbaceous Weed Treatment (315)
• Conservation Cover (327)
• Tree and Shrub Establishment (612)
• Woody Residue Treatment (384)
• Tree-shrub Site Preparation (490)

Brief timeline of implementation:

• Summer 2025: Outreach eand engagement with landowners
• By December 2025: Assist at least 5 landowners with assessments and conservation practice planning.
• By May 2026: Develop and provide project amangement services for to implement 4-6 local fund pool conservation plans.
• Ongoing (3-5 years and potentially beyond): Project implementation continues and OCNRCD continues to work with NRCS to maintain funding for this priority. 

Available Funding in federal FY 2026: $200,000