Blog Posts

November Book Discussion: Braiding Sweetgrass

11/13/2023

Monday, November 13th
6 pm
Warren Public Library
Register: bit.ly/mrvbookclub

🌿We're excited to announce our partnership with the Mad River Valley Libraries on a monthly environmental themed book club 🌿

Each month, we'll read a different book about the natural world and/or climate change and discuss its implications for our community and our planet. We'll cover a wide array of genres ranging from fiction to non-fiction and everything else in-between.

In honor of Native American Heritage month, our November selection is "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants" by Robin Wall Kimmerer. In this book, the author celebrates the notion that there is a reciprocal relationship between humans and the rest of the living world and invites us to think deeply about the positive role that humans can play in the survival of all species.

Copies are available for checkout at your local MRV library and for purchase at Tempest Book Store in Waitsfield for 20% off. Just mention that you're part of the book club!

This discussion is co-hosted by the Warren Public Library and snacks will be provided.

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Ridge to River Fall Recap

11/9/2023

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Over the past decade, the Ridge to River Coalition was developed in order to address flood resilience and stormwater management across the five towns in the Mad River watershed. By creating opportunities for collaboration and sharing, as well as identifying best practices that could be adopted from one end of our community to the other, the coalition was successful in creating programming, securing grant funding, and setting the foundation for successful collaboration between our towns.

In the past few months, the Ridge to River Coalition has reconvened, this time with a broader focus on climate and community resilience. In response to the Vermont Climate Assessment and Vermont Climate Action Plan, the group decided to expand its scope to take a more inclusive look at how our community can become more resilient in the face of climate change. With projects spanning the whole gamut of community development, from green spaces to transportation, and from energy efficiency to wastewater, our group has been having conversations around community priorities for climate action.

Our first meeting, held back in September, focused on becoming familiar with the Vermont Climate Action Plan, and brainstorming some of the ways that the towns in our watershed might be able to take action within that framework. At our most recent meeting at the end of October, our group decided to focus on three main areas of climate resilience - Smart Growth, Healthy Spaces and Beings, and Community Education and Workforce Development.

Our next meetings will be held within these Working Groups, and will take place by the end of this calendar year. Our first priority will be to define each of the Working Group titles, we will work collaboratively to create a vision for what success would look like, and then we’ll begin creating priorities for action within the Working Groups.

It has been wonderful to join forces with so many motivated, intelligent, and creative people from across the watershed. With a strong contingency of folks returning from the original Ridge to River Coalition, as well as some wonderful new members of our team joining the effort, it is very exciting to consider the potential for how our community can work together to address climate change and the many ways it will impact the Mad River watershed.

Luke Foley
Climate and Engagement Manager

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Welcome Our New Director

5/19/2023

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ira Shadis as our new Executive Director. You might recognize him - he has been with us since 2018 and has served in an interim leadership role since November of last year.

Ira brings over a decade of experience working with conservation and community focused non-profits. He initially joined Friends to help launch our Storm Smart program, through which he has helped 'spongify' the Valley at dozens of properties. His role expanded in 2020 when he began to work closely with our former director on a diverse suite of projects, from riparian buffer restoration to climate-focused community conversations.

Ira has done great work with us, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have him step fully into the leadership of this organization. He brings a strong background as a program manager, community builder, and steward of the watershed. You can see his appreciation for the Valley in the care and curiosity he brings to his work every day.

In his new role, Ira will lead our 34-year-old organization in its mission to steward clean water, healthy land, and a vibrant community. We will continue to deliver regular programs, like Storm Smart and Mad River Watch. Ira will also continue to participate in the many collaborative efforts ongoing in the Mad River Valley, like the Conservation & Recreation Visioning project, the Mad River Valley Black Bear Initiative, and StewardMRV, to name just a few.

Join us in welcoming Ira to his new role and in our excitement for the future of Friends and the whole Mad River Valley.

Matt Williams, Friends Board President

A Note From Ira

A small organization like Friends can’t do its work alone, we need the support of the community to really make an impact for the health of the river, the land, and the diversity of life in the Mad River Valley. I’m excited to deepen our existing relationships, build new connections, and foster a network that can not only protect this place, but celebrate it for years to come. I want people in this community to feel free to reach out, share ideas, and tell me about all the ways you connect with the Mad River and the surrounding the valley.

A little about myself; I live in Montpelier with my partner, Debbie, along with our six chickens, four (indoor) cats, and one dog. When I'm not at work building resilience in the Mad River watershed, I can be found practicing cello etudes, riding my bike down dirt roads, skiing along the Catamount Trail, playing pick-up basketball, or reading a good book.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me at info@friendsofthemadriver.org or 802 496 6127.

Ira Shadis, Executive Director

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The Water Column

November Book Discussion: Braiding Sweetgrass

Monday, November 13th
6 pm
Warren Public Library
Register: bit.ly/mrvbookclub

Ridge to River Fall Recap

Welcome Our New Director

A Note From Ira

Friends

Archives

Categories

The Water Column

November Book Discussion: Braiding Sweetgrass

Monday, November 13th6 pmWarren Public LibraryRegister: bit.ly/mrvbookclub

Ridge to River Fall Recap

Welcome Our New Director

A Note From Ira

Friends

Archives

Categories

Monday, November 13th
6 pm
Warren Public Library
Register: bit.ly/mrvbookclub