MISSION STATEMENT
PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND RESTORE wild NATIVE FISH POPULATIONS THROUGH STEWARDSHIP OF THE FISH AND THEIR HABITATS
THE vermont CHAPTER OF NFC IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF:
The late Steve Wright of Craftsbury, Vermont, a lifelong advocate for Vermont's fish and wildlife and the places they lived. A gifted writer and photographer, and degreed aquatic biologist and fisheries manager, Steve taught science at Sterling School in northeastern Vermont for twenty-five years, serving as college president from 1988-1991. He served as Commissioner of Vermont Fish and Wildlife from 1985 to 1988, and also spent seven years on the Vermont State Environmental Board. Steve was the New England Regional Representative for the National Wildlife Federation for eight years. Although “retired,” he served as President of Ridge Protectors, a conservation non-profit, and was an active member of the Craftsbury Conservation Commission. Steve also served on Vermont NFC’s Advisory Council where he helped the Board understand and navigate the public policy and fishery management arenas. As stated by former Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Patrick H. Berry, "Steve was a trailblazer for conservation and courage.” Vermont owes a great debt to Mr. Wright for all he did to nudge the needle forward.
vermont NATIVE FISHES
Vermont is home to four native charr and salmon: Brook trout, lake trout, landlocked salmon, and Atlantic salmon. Brook trout are the official State Cold Water Fish. Numerous other native fish can be found in Vermont as well including cusk, lake whitefish, pike, pickerel, and walleye, the official State Warm Water Fish. In a warming climate, Vermont’s high-elevation high-gradient headwater streams will play an important role in wild native brook trout preservation.
Status, Threats and Conservation
Like most other states, Vermont’s native fishes face many threats and challenges including angler exploitation, state-sponsored and private trout stocking, habitat degradation, development, pollution, climate change, and nonnative invasive fish introductions. Arctic charr, a rare native species formerly known as Sunapee trout, have been extirpated from the state. Atlantic salmon are teetering on the brink of extinction with restoration efforts suspended on the Connecticut River system. Wild native brook trout are now found primarily in small streams having been lost from most lakes, ponds, rivers, and many large streams, to angler exploitation, stocking, and habitat degradation. For more than half a century, Vermont’s brook trout in rivers and streams were subject to a highest-in-the-native-range 12-fish daily bag limit, which was 33% higher than neighboring New Hampshire. After NFC and others lobbied hard for a reduction, as of 2022, the daily limit was reduced to 8-fish, or by 33%, which still leaves Vermont tied with Massachusetts and Georgia for the highest. Vermont also lacks a formal wild trout program. Many rivers and streams in Vermont are home to nonnative brown and rainbow trout, both of which stress wild native brook trout.
VERMONT nfc board
Below is our Vermont State Board. This dedicated group of volunteers are our "boots on the ground" in Vermont, home to wild native landlocked (Atlantic) salmon, miles of native brook trout headwater streams, and a remnant population of Atlantic salmon.
VERMONT nfc ADvisory CounCil
Below is our Vermont Advisory Council. This group of volunteers represents a veritable all-star team of subject matter expertise and hands-on experience. They work with the Vermont board to identify areas in need of attention, while providing technical assistance.
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JED FEFFER is a retired teacher. In addition to teaching traditional…