A quick thank you to Lisa and Marsha who joined us this morning for the VIP Paddle at the Boat Launch.

We paddled the area looking at our native plants, and looking for any potential introductions of invasives.

Pictured below is one of our native plants, ribbon leaf pondweed.

We'll be filing a report with the DEC about our observations during today's paddle.

There was interest to do another paddle, so we'll look to schedule one at and around the Wells Lakeside Park on Little Lake towards the end of September. Let us know if you'd be interested in participating!

> About the VIP Program:

The VIP program was established by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in 2007 to focus on early detection of all known and potential aquatic invasive species (AIS) before they can become established in a waterbody. Early detection is vital to protecting Lake St. Catherine from harmful invasive plants and animals. Volunteers participating in the VIP Program will monitor Lake St. Catherine for new introductions of invasive species and report their findings to the DEC. If a new invasive is discovered, the DEC will dispatch a team and work with the LSCA to organize an effort to remove it from the lake. This is a GREAT addition to our invasive species control and prevention initiatives which includes our Greeter Program.

You can read more about the VIP Program on LSC here: https://lakestcatherine.org/vermont-invasive-patrollers