Floodplain Weeding & Site Tour on July 26
The Vermont River Conservancy and the Brattleboro Planning Department will be holding a weeding party at the 250 Birge Street Restored Floodplain on Friday, July 26 from 4 to 5 p.m. Join us as we work to control invasives!
The group will also be providing a site tour of the restored floodplain at 250 Birge Street. This open space is available for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the brook, trails, meadows, and more. You can view a map of the area here.
More Background Info on the Project
The 12-acre parcel at 250 Birge Street is intended to protect the surrounding neighborhood and downtown area from sustaining damage during a large-scale flooding event. The project was developed by the Vermont River Conservancy in coordination with the Town of Brattleboro. Funding for the project came from multiple sources, including grants from the EPA's Brownfields Program and the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, and the Vermont Emergency Management Resilient Communities Fund.
Approximately 40,000 cubic yards of fill were removed from the site to allow the river to spill across the land during a flood. The resulting area is a beautiful natural space where low-impact activities, like walking and fishing, are available to the public. As seeded areas are still taking root, those visiting the floodplain are encouraged to stay on the pathways.