The rivers, streams, and wetlands you see in Vermont today are far from their natural state

Four hundred years ago, Abenaki families lived in a densely forested, mossy land, with winding streams full of dead wood and fallen trees, and many beaver ponds slowing – but not stopping – the flow of water. Larger rivers flowed through forested floodplains that would fill during spring thaw and heavy rains. Over time, rivers would move back and forth across the valleys, altering the land as they moved.

While there were still floods, this landscape would have absorbed, slowed, and spread floodwater more than our modern one.

The 2022 MWA scholarships awardees! are Natasha Bowen, of North Country High School, who is pursuing an education in pharmaceuticals, James Cilwik, also of North Country, who is interested in Civil Engineering, and Landyn Gile-Leach, of Lake Region High School, who will pursue Civil Engineering and Construction Management.