Welcome to the October 22, 2008 issue of E-News.

In this Issue

	Fall Projects with the CVU School Crew
	Our 2008 Event Season Comes to an End
	Crew of the Month: Elmore State Park Crew
	Saying Good Bye and Good Luck to our Director of Development

Faces Behind Our Success

Matthew Nicholson

Matthew joined the VYCC in 2007 as an AmeriCorps VISTA.  Matthew has helped with the development of the LEAP program for youth who are blind or visually impaired. He also worked to develop the first LEAP Inclusive Crew, where youth with visual impairments and sighted youth work side by side on high priority conservation projects. In addition, Matthew works in the Youth Development department where he focuses his efforts on Field Staff and Corps Member outreach.  He is presently working on the latest edition of our yearbook.  Thank you Matthew for all you've done for the Corps!
 

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Fall Projects with the CVU School Crew

The VYCC Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU) Crew has been hard at work this fall.  The crew's start date was September 3rd, and they have taken part in some exciting projects around the local area.

So far they have:

• Participated in watershed conservation projects with the Montpelier Parks and Conservation Commission
• Completed a trail clearing project on local nordic ski trails
• Worked on land stewardship projects here at the VYCC West Monitor Barn campus, which included sumac removal by the East Monitor Barn and cover crop planting in the garden

These students have also helped Maple Wind Farm harvest vegetables.  Maple Wind Farm has been a strong educational partner of VYCC’s.  VYCC swaps work on the farm for time on their ropes course, use of their farm equipment, and their advice for productive vegetable growing.  It is a wonderful partnership!

As for the rest of October and November, they will be continuing land stewardship work at the VYCC, beginning with the VYCC Trail System and specifically the trail past the lean-tos.  Their main focus will be drainage and erosion control, as water needs to be successfully guided off the trail, and drainage dips need to installed.

To learn more about the fantastic CVU School Instructors, Hillary and Matthew, click here.

Our 2008 Event Season Comes to an End

As the weather turns colder, the 2008 event season comes to a close.  Kristen Kozik, the VYCC Development and Event Coordinator, is very excited for the 2009 season, which will begin in April and run through October. 

Inquiries and reservations have been pouring in, so if you know anyone that is interested in having a celebration or meeting here at the West Monitor Barn, encourage them to call or email Kristen today.  And remember, all proceeds from renting the West Monitor Barn support VYCC programs. 

Crew of the Month: Elmore State Park Crew

For five months, the crew at Elmore State Park completed the full scope of operations at the park and did it with positive attitude and charm. The crew has maintained a beautiful park and completed additional work projects including re-painting a historic beach house built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

In the last month they have powered through a number of challenges including illness, foul weather, and shifting work projects and still maintained a strong crew community and ran a great state park. The VYCC wants to thank the crew at Elmore for their uncompromising effort and dedication. Nice Work.
 

Saying Good Bye and Good Luck to our Director of Development

After three and a half years of hard work and fundraising for the VYCC, our own Kate Villa will be moving on to further develop her professional background.  In her time at the VYCC, Kate managed to surpass our fundraising goals each and every year.  We will miss her immensely and wish her good luck in her future endeavors.  Kate will be moving into the Director of Development role at the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain.

Thank you for all of your time and efforts.  Job well done!