October 11: American Elm restoration discussion

Floodplain ecologist Christian Marks poses in front of Henrietta, a survivor elm in Charlotte, VT.

Last Updated: 09.Oct.2018

Join us Thursday, October 11, at 7:00pm as we host a presentation by Vermont's branch of The Nature Conservancy: "Restoring the American Elm to Vermont’s Forests:  How the return of a species can build resilience in our floodplains." Gus Goodwin (Conservation Coordinator) and Jim Shallow (Director of Strategic Conservation Initiatives) will give the free evening presentation on the American Elm, its demise and efforts to restore the plant and its role in our ecosystem.

The American elm was once a foundational species in our forested floodplains, but has been largely eliminated from this role by Dutch-elm disease. Learn how TNC is working with partners to restore the American elm to floodplain forests throughout Vermont and why, with the arrival of emerald ash borer, this work is even more urgent.

Prior to the arrival of Dutch Elm Disease, the American elm was once the biggest, most abundant, and longest lived tree on our northern floodplains. Now, it rarely survives to maturity, leaving an important ecological niche unfilled. The Nature Conservancy, along with the US Forest Service, is working to change that. Thousands of experimental elms, containing the genetics from over 80 survivor elms are being planted in floodplains across northern Vermont and New Hampshire. It's an ambitious project whose goals include improving floodplain function, enhancing resilience of floodplain forests through restoration of native diversity, and the return of a beloved species.

Read (and listen) to some of the backstory around this project, and we hope to see you in early October!:
UVM ecoblog story
TNC elm story
VPR Outdoor Radio