Building Resilience: A Look Back at PUR’s Work in Vermont

Vermont’s landscapes are changing rapidly. The effects of climate change are already being felt across the state, with rising temperatures, increasing precipitation, and more frequent extreme weather events. Over the past century, the US state’s average annual temperature has increased by nearly two degrees Fahrenheit, with winter temperatures rising at an even faster rate. Alongside this warming trend, precipitation has increased by 21% since 1900, with heavy downpours becoming more common.

While these shifts might seem gradual, their consequences have been anything but. Flooding, soil erosion, and nutrient runoff have become pressing challenges for Vermont’s agricultural and natural ecosystems. Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 was a stark reminder of this vulnerability, bringing $1 billion in flood-related losses and displacing 1,500 families. More recently, the catastrophic July 2023 floods saw up to nine inches of rainfall in just 48 hours, overwhelming communities, infrastructure, and farmland.

As Vermont faces this evolving climate reality, nature-based solutions are proving to be one of the most effective tools for resilience. Since 2016, PUR has been working alongside local partners to implement tree-planting projects that have the potential to stabilize streambanks, reduce erosion, improve water quality, and increase biodiversity.

A collaborative effort

Restoring Vermont’s landscapes and protecting communities requires deep local knowledge and strong collaboration. That’s why, since 2019, PUR has worked closely with Watersheds United Vermont (WUV), Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District (PMNRCD), and the State Natural Resources Conservation Council (NRCC). These partnerships have allowed us to design and implement diverse, site-specific nature-based solutions across multiple river basins, including the Lake Champlain Basin, the White River, and the Connecticut River. The collective efforts of these organizations, landowners, and farmers have been instrumental in reducing nutrient runoff, preventing soil loss, and mitigating flood damage.

By restoring riparian buffers, planting windbreaks, and engaging communities in tree-planting projects, we have not only helped combat the effects of climate change but also supported local farmers in protecting their land and livelihoods.

Stories of impact: Nature-based solutions in action

First, some numbers. Between 2016-2024, 91,379 trees have been planted (including 81 different species) across more than 103 hectares of land.

But the success of this work is best illustrated by the experiences of Vermont landowners who have seen firsthand the benefits of nature-based solutions.

A river reclaims its course
In 2021, a dam on the Second Branch of the White River was removed to restore natural water flow and reduce flood risk. Seeing an opportunity for further restoration, landowners worked with the White River Partnership, supported by PUR and WUV, to plant trees on former hay fields along the riverbanks.

Then, in 2023, disaster struck – floodwaters surged through the site, cutting a new path through the property. When PUR and WUV visited in2024, they feared there would be severe damage but found something remarkable: the trees had survived, standing strong amidst the sand deposits. The landowners credited the planted trees with helping to prevent more severe erosion and expressed gratitude for the project’s role in protecting their land.

A farm fights back against flooding
The July 2023 floods devastated many farms across Vermont, including an organic vegetable farm near Fairfax. The floodwaters carved deep gullies into the fields, stripping away fertile soil and damaging crops.

Recognizing the urgent need for action, PUR, NRCC, and the Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District partnered with the farm to extend riparian buffers along the Lamoille River in 2024. These newly planted trees will help stabilize the eroded land, slow down runoff, and reduce future flood damage, ensuring that this farm remains productive and resilient in the years ahead.

Healing eroded land
For one landowner near Fair Haven, years of gully erosion had made a portion of their farmland unusable. With each heavy rain, more sediment and nutrients were washed into nearby streams, contributing to Lake Champlain’s phosphorus pollution problem.

Determined to turn the tide, PUR and PMNRCD planted trees along the gully’s edges in 2024. As these trees mature, they will help slow water flow, prevent further erosion, and trap nutrients before they reach the watershed—a clear example of how tree planting can assist the restoration of degraded landscapes while also benefiting Vermont’s water quality.

Looking ahead

As we wrap up this phase of our work in Vermont, we reflect on the impact that collaboration, community engagement, and nature-based solutions have had over the past eight years. From stabilizing streambanks and reducing nutrient runoff to enhancing biodiversity and improving water quality, these projects demonstrate the potential power of working with nature to build resilience.

The need for these efforts is greater than ever.

As Vermont continues to experience the effects of climate change, wetlands, floodplains, and riparian buffers will be essential tools in mitigating flood risks and protecting vital agricultural land.

This work wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and expertise of WUV, PMNRCD, and the NRCC. Their deep local networks and commitment to conservation have been the backbone of this project, helping to bring together landowners, farmers, and conservationists in a shared vision for Vermont’s future.

The lessons learned from this project go beyond Vermont. They serve as an inspiration for communities worldwide that are grappling with the challenges of climate change. Companies and organizations have an opportunity to invest in nature-based solutions that not only store carbon but also protect local economies and ecosystems.

As we close this chapter, we celebrate the progress made and the partnerships that made it possible. While this phase of our Vermont project may be coming to an end, the impact of this work will continue for generations to come – one tree, one stream, and one community at a time.