The community boat launch at the Brownway Preserve River Access received a makeover this summer thanks to the NFCT’s professional stewardship crew and a team of local volunteers.
The project, a partnership with the Town of Enosburg Conservation Commission, addressed a steep, slippery bank that presented a safety risk for users. The site now has a set of stone steps and a boat slide.
“This work essentially formalized a popular access to the Missisquoi River,” said Noah Pollock, NFCT’s stewardship director. “Prior to this work, paddlers had to scramble down a steep bank, which led to the degradation of riparian vegetation, causing erosion. Our crew and volunteers installed ten stone steps along with a timber boat slide to facilitate access here.”
“Additionally, to benefit residents of a nearby long term care center, we also constructed and installed a wooden bench at the site,” Pollock added.
The Enosburg Conservation Commission secured matching support for the project and will assist with ongoing site monitoring.
“The LCBP is thrilled to support the improvement of this launch,” said Dr. Eric Howe, director of the LCBP. “Projects like this improve recreation access for all community members and help protect clean water. The Missisquoi River is a major tributary of Lake Champlain, and those benefits will be felt downstream as well.”
This work was part of a larger, regional project focused on community engagement, public access improvement and water quality, focused on the Saranac River, Lake Champlain and the Missisquoi River. Funding from the Lake Champlain Basin Program allowed the NFCT to train its stewardship interns and recruit volunteers.
To learn more about the NFCT’s stewardship work, contact Noah Pollock at noah@northernforestcanoetrail.
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