If you fish, live by a stream, use our waterways for recreation, or have dealt with the ravages of Tropical Storm Irene, this informative talk about the Williams River Watershed and its fishery will be of interest to you.

Come celebrate Spring with colorful field-grown pansies. The First Annual Pansy Festival takes place Saturday, May 2, from noon to 4, at Singing River Farm in Rockingham, VT. The event is free and will happen outdoors rain or shine so bring sunscreen or umbrellas as needed.

The 48th season Spring performance of the Springfield Community Chorus, directed by Ken Olsson, will feature The Creation by Joseph Haydn. Considered by many to be Haydn's crowning achievement, The Creation oratorio, composed between 1796 and 1798, commemorates and celebrates the creation narrative found in the book of Genesis and John Milton's epic poem, "Paradise Lost."

It's time to reactivate spring and summer floral displays around Chester by supporting the planter campaign started last spring by the Chester Beautification Committee. While this all-volunteer committee has recently changed its name to Chester Townscape to reflect the broader efforts it has undertaken in the restoration project for the Hearse House and Public Tomb, it is the same group of people working to improve and enhance the appearance and appeal of Chester for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Take flight with this unique opportunity for kids to learn how to identify birds by sight and song! The Nature Museum at Grafton invites homeschool students to a special program entitled Unraveling Avians. Join the Museum's environmental educators in this five-hour program which also includes a presentation by our special guest Bridget Butler, the Bird Diva! The Museum is thrilled to provide this educational treat for our homeschoolers. Everyone will learn how to decode bird messages, how to find your special sit spot to become one with the landscape, and how to walk in the wild with fresh eyes and ears.

Do you smile at the sight of spring's first robin? Does the chirp of a chickadee stop you in your tracks? Break out the binoculars and mark your calendars: on May 15th and May 16th, The Nature Museum at Grafton is teaming up with Bridget Butler, The Bird Diva, to provide three unique birding programs! Bridget has been a naturalist for more than 20 years, playing matchmaker for our wildscape here in Vermont and the people who call this place home. Her mission is to tap into each person's innate passion for nature through exploration and deep listening.

Ever wanted to have your own vegetable garden, but lacked the knowledge or money to get started? Here's your chance to fix all that. A grant from the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont to St. Luke's Church in Chester makes that garden easy and provides all the materials and instruction necessary for 11 lucky people to have a functioning 9'x12' vegetable garden for this growing season.

Since that first RiverSweep cleanup 15 years ago, I've known that I can accomplish more when I have help. There were just a few of us that first autumn day (literally 4 adults and a 2-year-old), and we did a heckuva stroke of work. Alone, it would have taken me three times as long to collect half as much trash, and some items would still be in the river (the metal plate, some of the tires).

Despite the challenges of early April Vermont weather, repair work has begun on Chester's Public Tomb. Built in 1850, the building shelters those who must await burial until after the ground thaws. The repair of the Tomb's walls and slate roof is the first project in Phase I of the combined restoration planned for the Public Tomb, adjacent iron fence, and nearby Hearse House – all undertaken by the Chester Beautification Committee, which is soon changing its name to Chester Townscape to reflect the expanded work that this group of volunteers has undertaken to enhance the look and character of Chester.

After helping with Green Up Day in your town treat yourself to the delights of the first annual Pansy Festival at Singing River Farm in Rockingham, VT on Saturday, May 2, 2015 from noon until 4 PM. This community celebration of spring happens rain or shine because heirloom pansies herald the season of hope whatever the weather.

The Black River Action Team (BRAT), a grassroots volunteer river cleanup group based in Southeastern Vermont, is excited to invite everyone to the Storm Water Expo on Saturday, April 18th.

The Chester Conservation Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting next Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 pm in Frank Kelley's classroom at Chester-Andover Elementary School.