Vermont Water Quality Division

Be a VIP: Vermont Invasive Patroller!

Early detection is vital to protecting Vermont’s waterbodies from harmful invasive plants and animals. Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIPs) monitor a local waterbody for new introductions of invasive species while also learning about native aquatic plants and animals and their habitats.

What it takes to be a VIP:

Participate in at least one basic VIP training workshop (optional advanced workshops may also be available based on interest)

Sign a Statement of Commitment promising to document survey results in accordance with standardized procedures and report them to Vermont DEC
Conduct and submit at least two surveys during the summer for the presence of invasive plants or animals in your lake or pond (or a specific section thereof)
Submit suspicious samples to DEC staff for positive identification

If you’re interested in becoming a VIP, please email Leslie Matthews or call 802-241-3798

VIP Training Workshops

A basic VIP training workshop takes about 4 hours and consists of:

a two-hour indoor session consisting of a powerpoint slide presentation and an introduction to native and invasive plant and animal identification
a two-hour field session on the water, during which participants will learn how to conduct surveys of native and invasive species in their natural habitats

Host a VIP Workshop in 2009

If you would like to host a workshop for a group of volunteers in your area, please contact

Leslie Matthews or call 802-241-3798

It’s helpful if you can provide:

An indoor venue with electricity, for the slide presentation and plant ID introduction
A nearby canoe-able waterbody, preferably with an existing invasive species infestation, such as milfoil, suitable for plant survey field training
Canoes and/or kayaks and personal flotation devices (i.e. life jackets) for as many participants as possible; Vermont DEC can only provide a limited number of canoes and/or kayaks for workshops

Click here for the VIP Program Brochure

2009 Workshop Schedule

Registration is required.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own canoe or kayak for the workshop field session.

Please be sure to make arrangements with us in advance if you will be unable to bring a canoe or kayak.

Limited spaces may be available in Vermont DEC vessels.

Please click here to fill out an on-line registration form.

Additional details and directions to the workshop will be sent with your registration confirmation.

Please contact Leslie Matthews if you have questions.

All workshops are from 1pm to 5pm unless otherwise indicated.

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