In the fall of 2024, the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) returned for its second year supporting Middlebury College (VT) students in their Community Engaged Environmental Studies Practicum. Over the course of a semester, student teams work with an environmental organization in Vermont to research and advise their community partner on action steps they can take to resolve an environmentally focused issue. The students’ work culminates in a report outlining the problem and their proposed actions, which is then presented to their class and community partners.
With consultation and support from Kathy Urffer, Director of Policy and Advocacy and Vermont River Steward, and Clare Wangard, an ECO AmeriCorps member serving with the CRC, the students—Jack Lundgren, Henry Gustavson, Elle Thompson, and Gray Thomas—focused on freshwater mussel restoration in the Connecticut River.
The watershed is home to 12 native freshwater mussel species, eight of which are listed as threatened or endangered at the state and/or federal level. These freshwater mussels are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, changes to natural river processes, water pollution, and competition with non-native and invasive species.
The students' report includes proposals to expand and continue some of CRC’s current efforts—such as community science efforts, riparian buffer enhancements, and water quality monitoring—to conserve and restore freshwater mussel populations.
The team also had creative ideas for promoting more fun and engaging images of mussels, including the slogan “Flex Your Mussels,” and a cartoon mussel named “Becky the Brook Floater,” who was very popular with the attendees of their presentation. Henry Gustavson, who conceptualized Becky, says, “We tried to build on CRC's wide-ranging strengths by taking a holistic approach to our research and recommendations. As for Becky the Brook Floater, finding a way to make mussels attractive and approachable for the general public wasn't easy, but it was the most rewarding part of the project for me.”
The students employed broad and comprehensive perspectives—drawing from environmental studies, public policy, history, and biology—to create an in-depth and compelling report detailing tangible proposals for freshwater mussel restoration by the CRC. Gustavson, Lundgren, Thomas, and Thompson’s report is thoughtful, insightful, and incredibly well-researched. CRC is grateful for the opportunity to work with committed environmental stewards and hopes to continue its partnership with Middlebury College in ongoing and innovative environmental protection.
Thank you to Henry, Jack, Gray, and Elle for your hard work, insight, and innovations. Thank you to Kathryn Morse and Diane Munroe of the Environmental Studies Program of Middlebury College for their dedication to their students and community-engaged environmental education.
To see Becky the Brook Floater and learn more about their proposed action steps for the CRC, you can read the report here:
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The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. CRC has been a steward of the Connecticut River and tributary streams since 1952. Our programs include advocacy, aquatic invasive species management, dam removal, habitat restoration, migratory fish surveys, recreation, trash cleanups, and water quality monitoring. Together through community engagement and education, we're dedicated to ensuring equitable access and healthy rivers for all.
ECO AmeriCorps is a program administered by the VT Dept. Environmental Conservation. The program consists of 24 members serving statewide with partner organizations dedicated to improving Vermont’s water quality and climate resiliency, and minimizing the amount of waste entering landfills. For more information about ECO AmeriCorps, visit www.ecoamericorps.vermont.gov.
AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for service and volunteering. CNCS annually engages more than five million citizens in service at more than 60,000 locations in 8,500 cities across the country through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and other programs. National service participants address the most pressing challenges facing our cities and nation, from educating students for the jobs of the 21st century and supporting veterans and military families to preserving the environment and helping communities recover from natural disasters. For more information on AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.
This material is based upon work supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Opinions or points of view expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of AmeriCorps or the Corporation for National Service.