VBSR Member News Round Up 8-7-24

UVM Medical Center: Gold Member University of Vermont Medical Center has been honored for leadership on environmental sustainability in health care. Citing the urgency of addressing climate change, leadership has embraced the opportunity to reduce their impact on the environment, use their resources responsibly, and be a good community partner. They are focused on finding new solutions to decrease the carbon footprint of health care delivery, are making positive change, and are being recognized for it by the American Society for Health Care Engineering, Practice Greenhealth and Vermont Green Building Network. Learn more here.

Chroma Technology: Champion Member Chroma Technology recently announced an upgrade to their packaging, transitioning to boxes which are 100% recyclable. Their old materials included plastic set cases and metal tabs, which had kept them from using more environmentally friendly packaging. These new boxes are an important step in Chroma’s continuous sustainability improvement efforts. Learn more here.

ECHO / Leahy Center for Lake Champlain: ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Vermont’s science and nature museum, will complete a large-scale renovation of its well-known “Into the Lake” exhibit. Lake Champlain is home to a robust freshwater ecosystem that provides benefits for the surrounding community and countless species of animals and plants. It requires protection to ensure it continues to benefit future generations. This $3.3 million project will upgrade ECHO’s “Into the Lake” exhibit gallery and enhance public education about native wildlife and stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin ecosystem. Learn more here.

Green Mountain Club: Thanks to a generous donation of property by the Green Mountain Club, 62 acres have been added to Camel’s Hump State Park in Duxbury through the Ridley Brook Conservation Project. Orchestrated by a coalition, protection of this land, helps safeguard clean water, public access, wildlife habitat, and the natural beauty that makes Vermont special. The project aligns with the goals of Vermont’s Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act by protecting biodiversity and the many co-benefits that come with it. Notedly, it supports flood resilience and water quality in the Winooski River watershed by slowing down, absorbing, and filtering future flood events. Learn more here.

Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA): Gold Member VEDA has announced that their 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting will take place on October 25, 2024, at The Essex Resort & Spa. This is a significant milestone for VEDA, as they have been providing financing assistance to enhance the vitality of Vermont's economy for half a century. The event will be a celebration of their accomplishments and an opportunity to reflect on their journey. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details. Learn more here.

Vermont Parks Forever: Vermont Parks Forever is partnering with GeerGarage, a leading outdoor gear sharing platform. This partnership brings a wider variety of outdoor gear rentals to the growing community in Vermont, all facilitated through a peer-to-peer rental model. Vermont’s outdoor enthusiasts of all experience levels can now tap into GeerGarage’s platform to rent quality gear directly from their neighbors. This partnership expands access to essential outdoor equipment for activities like backpacking, camping, day hikes, kayaking, and paddle boarding in a cost-effective and sustainable way. Learn more here.