Burr and Burton Students Engage in Watershed Research

Burr and Burton is excited to collaborate with Trout Unlimited, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving and restoring North American cold water fisheries and their watersheds, to engage students in authentic Battenkill Watershed research alongside scientists and community volunteers.  The initiative kicked off in October and will continue throughout the school year, enabling students to conduct hands-on research on trout populations and watershed health, and participate in many aspects of habitat monitoring and restoration.


From Andrew MacArthur, Burr and Burton Wellness and Outdoor Adventure teacher:

This month, a group of student volunteers has been helping fisheries biologists from Trout Unlimited study the spawning patterns of Brook and Brown Trout in the Battenkill Watershed. This comprehensive Redd Survey will be conducted from October 17th to November 20th using a phone based survey application. This research will be conducted under the supervision of fisheries biologists from Trout Unlimited and the support of various faculty at BBA. The survey is being conducted as part of the Battenkill Home Rivers Initiative.

For the unfamiliar, a Redd is a trout spawning bed. Accurately counting Redds informs local habitat restoration and stabilization projects. If you are interested in joining us for this citizen science survey, please contact Andrew MacArthur at AMacArthur@burrburton.org.

What is the Battenkill Home Rivers Initiative?

In January of 2020, Trout Unlimited launched the Battenkill Home Rivers Initiative with the generous support of our local community, Trout Unlimited Southwestern Vermont, and the Clearwater and Adirondack TU chapters.

This intensive watershed and fisheries restoration project is one of eleven TU Home Rivers Initiatives in the United States. “Trout Unlimited” has identified three objectives for the project:

1. Reconnect fragmented trout populations and essential habitat by improving flows and removing barriers to passage on tributaries to the Battenkill. 
2. Restore degraded habitat through collaborative efforts.
3. Sustain conservation efforts by inspiring and training present and future generations of conservation stewards.

Since the program's inception, Jacob Fetterman, Project Coordinator and Fisheries Biologist with Trout Unlimited, has been raising funds, collecting watershed data, and organizing habitat restoration work along the Battenkill River and its various tributaries. The success of this program, and ultimately the long term health of the Battenkill Watershed, will rely on community involvement and support. If you are interested in volunteer work or making financial contributions to the “Battenkill Home Rivers Initiative”, contact Jacob at Jacob.Fetterman@tu.org. 

Plans for Student Engagement

So how will the Burr and Burton community help? In so many ways!

With the support of Jacob Fetterman, “Trout Unlimited” and BBA faculty, our students will have various opportunities to connect with the Battenkill Watershed in meaningful and engaging ways. Some examples include, but are not limited to:

• Service learning opportunities - Riparian plantings and habitat restoration. 
• Collecting and analyzing watershed chemistry, flow rates, and temperature on the Battenkill.
• Trout population surveying with TU and State Officials.
• Establish river access trail at Hildene Farm for student research.
• Public outreach regarding responsible recreational use - trash disposal, low summer flows, and temperature induced stress on trout.
• Citizen science opportunities - Redd Survey, RIVERS Survey.
• PSA style projects regarding watershed health.
• Macroinvertebrate sampling and research.
• Establish Trout In the Classroom (TIC) at Burr and Burton Academy.

This year, look for ways of getting involved with this important work. As opportunities to support the Battenkill Home Rivers Initiative arise, we’ll make sure to inform the Burr and Burton Community. For more information contact Andrew MacArthur (Wellness/Outdoor Adventure Teacher) at AMacArthur@burrburton.org. 

Are you interested in joining Trout Unlimited Southwestern Vermont? Membership Information
Are you a student interested in a “Trout Unlimited” Membership? Youth Membership ($14)