Be a VIP: Vermont Invasive Patroller!
Early detection is vital to protecting Vermont’s waterbodies from harmful invasive plants and animals. Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIPs) monitor a local waterbody for new introductions of invasive species while also learning about native aquatic plants and animals and their habitats.
What it takes to be a VIP:
Participate in at least one basic VIP training workshop (optional advanced workshops may also be available based on interest)
- Sign a Statement of Commitment promising to document survey results in accordance with standardized procedures and report them to Vermont DEC
- Conduct and submit at least two surveys during the summer for the presence of invasive plants or animals in your lake or pond (or a specific section thereof)
- Submit suspicious samples to DEC staff for positive identification
If you’re interested in becoming a VIP, please email Leslie Matthews: leslie.matthews@state.vt.us or call 802-241-3798
VIP Training Workshops
A basic VIP training workshop takes about 4 hours and consists of:
- a two-hour indoor session consisting of a powerpoint slide presentation and an introduction to native and invasive plant and animal identification
- a two-hour field session on the water, during which participants will learn how to conduct surveys of native and invasive species in their natural habitats
If you would like to host a workshop for a group of volunteers in your area, please email Leslie Matthews: leslie.matthews@state.vt.us or call 802-241-3798
2008 Workshop Schedule
Several workshops have been scheduled for summer 2008 (see table below).
Workshops with “TBD” dates are being contemplated. A minimum of six registered participants is required for a workshop to be held.
All workshops are from 1-5 pm unless otherwise indicated. Additional information, including location details, will be provided once registration has been processed.
| Location |
Date |
| New England Lakes Conference Fairlee VT - Lake Morey. Please register for conference (pdf, 333 KB) to participate. |
Friday, June 13 |
| Bennington, VT - Lake Paran |
Saturday, June 21 |
| Fairlee, VT - Lake Fairlee |
Sunday, June 29 |
| Sudbury, VT - Echo Lake |
Monday, July 7 |
| Newport, VT - Lake Memphremagog |
Thursday, July 17 |
| Morrisville, VT - Lake Elmore |
Friday, July 25 |
| Brattleboro, VT - Retreat Meadows |
Sunday, July 20 |
| Maidstone, VT - Maidstone Lake |
Thursday, August 21 |
If you are interested in attending one of these workshops,
please click here to fill out an on-line registration form.
If you would like to suggest another potential location please contact Leslie Matthews: leslie.matthews@state.vt.us or call 802-241-3798
Downloadable Forms for Certified VIPs:
Field data sheet (pdf, 25 KB)
Sample submission form (pdf, 18KB)