Greeter Program - Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIPs) |
Several of the Lake Fairlee Greeters
Commencing in 2005 with a team of part-time volunteer greeters (greeters have been compensated since 2007), the Lake Fairlee Greeter Program was one of the first in Vermont. Each summer, the team of greeters conducts boat inspections at the boat landing from mid-May through mid-October, seven days a week. The primary purpose of the Greeter Program is to prevent aquatic invasives from entering the lake and from exiting the lake in a manner that could contaminate other New England waters. Each greeter annually attends a comprehensive training program conducted by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which includes extensive information about invasive plants and animals. Over the last several years, our greeters have inspected nearly 2,000 boats and watercraft entering and exiting the lake, and on numerous occasions, have prevented the spread of milfoil and other invasive species.
Our greeters also serve as our enthusiastic and friendly ambassadors for Lake Fairlee. They assist in advising visiting lake users about boater safety, ways to protect our shoreline and lake environment, and locating popular fishing locations. They alert boaters about areas where they will share the lake with young campers and swimmers, and where our loon habitats and nesting areas are. The greeters also help educate users about the statewide wakesport rule. Using the large wakesport zone map posted on the kiosk, they show wake boat owners where wakesports may occur.
We believe our greeters are among the very best in Vermont and are proud to say that our program has been used as a model for others statewide. That said, we are always trying to improve the program and welcome any questions or suggestions anyone may have.
Our greeters also serve as our enthusiastic and friendly ambassadors for Lake Fairlee. They assist in advising visiting lake users about boater safety, ways to protect our shoreline and lake environment, and locating popular fishing locations. They alert boaters about areas where they will share the lake with young campers and swimmers, and where our loon habitats and nesting areas are. The greeters also help educate users about the statewide wakesport rule. Using the large wakesport zone map posted on the kiosk, they show wake boat owners where wakesports may occur.
We believe our greeters are among the very best in Vermont and are proud to say that our program has been used as a model for others statewide. That said, we are always trying to improve the program and welcome any questions or suggestions anyone may have.
For a deeper dive into the greeter training, check out the Vermont Public Access Greeter Manual.
Overview of aquatic invasive species in Vermont
Gallery of Invaders: From the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, see pictures of invasive plants and animals currently in Vermont's lakes and/or threatening Vermont's lakes.
Vermont Aquatic Invasive Species Presentation: This presentation, which is a part of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's Greeter Training Resources, provides an in-depth presentation on Vermont's invasive species.