2 days ago
Vermont rural council welcomes climate innovators
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Where some see despair, ten Vermonters see hope and opportunity.
The Vermont Council for Rural Development (VCRD) welcomed its sixth group of 'Climate Catalysts', people including architects, farmers, and forestry managers who aim to use renewable energy and other carbon-neutral strategies to contribute to local economies.
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Some of the group's past funded projects include turning a vacant lot in Brattleboro into a 'mini food forest', enrolling Northeast Kingdom residents in a training on installing solar panels, and constructing a small tool lending library in Brandon.
The newest cohort to work with the program will tackle problems such as food insecurity, flooding awareness, and animal habitat loss. In its motivation for the program, VCRD cited 'the premise that confronting climate change through innovative economic development can be a competitive strategy.'
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Denise Smith, executive director of VCRD, said to the new cohort, 'As we respond to and recover from recent floods, the global pandemic, and shrinking resources… VCRD is committed to supporting leaders who want to be part of the solution.'
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