Vermont DEC Offers Training on Restoring Lake Shorelines

The free training covers best practices for developing, managing, and restoring lakeshore areas to improve water quality and wildlife habitat.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:46am

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The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is holding a free training on March 25, 2026 to teach professionals like engineers, landscapers, and contractors best practices for restoring and managing lake shorelines. The all-day training in Newport, Vermont will cover topics like lake ecology, permitting, landscape design, and using heavy machinery near lakeshores. The training aims to help improve water quality, flood resiliency, and wildlife habitat along Vermont's over 1,400 miles of lakeshore.

Why it matters

Nearly half of Vermont's lakeshore is developed in ways that negatively impact water quality and wildlife habitat. This training supports the state's goals to improve and protect clean water, flood resilience, and natural habitats by educating professionals on shoreline restoration and management best practices.

The details

The Shoreland Erosion Control and Restoration Training will cover topics like lake ecology, permitting and regulations, landscape design, project funding, and best practices for using heavy machinery near lakeshores. Attendees will learn how to develop, manage, and restore shoreland areas to support natural vegetation and reduce erosion. Those who complete the training can be added to a public listing of certified professionals in natural shoreland erosion control that is shared with lakeshore property owners.

  • The training will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
  • The registration deadline is March 16, 2026.

The players

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

The Vermont state agency responsible for protecting the state's natural resources and safeguarding public health.

Misty Sinsigalli

The DEC Commissioner who emphasized the importance of maintaining natural shorelines for lakeshore property owners.

Alison Marchione

The DEC contact person who can answer questions about the training.

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What they’re saying

“One of the most important actions that a lakeshore property owner can take is to maintain a natural shoreline.”

— Misty Sinsigalli, DEC Commissioner

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This training highlights Vermont's efforts to educate professionals on best practices for restoring and managing lake shorelines to improve water quality, flood resilience, and wildlife habitat across the state's over 1,400 miles of lakeshore.