Join our Committee

Join Our Committee

Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers (UMATR) Wild & Scenic Committee is looking for committee members!

Positions are open for community members that live in the UMATR region towns of Enosburgh, Enosburg Falls, Berkshire, Montgomery, Troy, North Troy, Westfield. UMATR committee members make decisions about how federal funds should be allocated to best maintain and improve the rivers according to the Management Plan. Our goal is to highlight, uphold, and enhance the quality and special features of these rivers and protect access, so that residents and visitors may fully enjoy our beautiful landscape.

The UMATR Committee meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm, at locations that rotate throughout our towns. Visit our Meetings page to find out where the next meeting will be held! Meetings are open to the public and we would love to have you attend if you are considering joining the committee.

Below, read our current committee members "why" for being a member of the UMATR committee.

To learn more about our committee members, visit our committee member page.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you are interested in attending a meeting, joining the committee, or would like to learn more.

Committee Members "why I serve"

Jacques Couture, Committee Chair, Westfield

Why do I want to serve on this committee?

I grew up next to the Missisquoi River. Our family farm borders the river. My first memories are of fishing with my brothers every time we could get away. We always knew to respect the river which could be very docile or a raging and dangerous place to avoid. When I got involved with this committee, I became aware that there is so much more to the river than the limited view I had of it. It is a gem to be respected and cherished. I enjoy serving on this committee along with a great group of representatives from the towns along the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers.

I've been involved with the UMATR Committee since the days when we were seeking Wild & Scenic designation. I believe it's important to put personal time and effort into what we love about Vermont, and one of those things is its rivers. Rivers bring a richness to our lives which does not discriminate between rich or poor, educated or uneducated, young or old. Whether it's paddling, swimming, fishing or looking for critters hidden under rocks, we can all derive pleasure and contentment from time spent on or near rivers

Cynthia Scott, Committee Member, Montgomery

I joined the committee because I really value our National Park Service and this was a local way to get involved. Plus, I had a strong interest in learning to paddle, which I had no experience with prior to joining back in 2022, and this community mentored me into the sport. The Missisquoi River has also been a great educational resource for my students, especially with the support of NEK Guides and the UMATR staff.

Bryan Dickinson, Committee Member, North Troy

Wendy UMATR Photo (Clearwater River) (1).jpg

I serve on the Upper Missisquoi and Trout River Wild and Scenic Committee because I love paddling on the local rivers. It's important to me to help keep the rivers and surrounding forests well cared for, well appreciated and enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike. The other joy in being on the committee for UMATR is working with the amazing staff and the many wonderful people from all of the different towns in the designated area. We have a wonderful crew and we have a great time together!

Wendy Scott, Committee Member, Enosburgh

As I have always been interested in nature and conservation for over 70 years, when I heard about the UMATR organization, it seemed like a good idea to find out more about it. So I started attending their meetings as they are open to the general public. After a few meetings, Lindsey Wight suggested that since I was there and Richford had an opening for a Committee member, why not become that member. So I did.

Dan Seeley, Committee Member, Richford

I'm Bramble and my mom, Susan Staples, is Committee vice chair and represents Richford. A beautiful brook runs through our property and empties into the Missisquoi. Mom says she's on the Committee because she wants me to play in clean water that also keeps the river and the whole watershed healthy. She says people love to play in and along the river, just like me. They go fishing, paddling, tubing, swimming, snowshoeing, birding, even looking for frogs, turtles and bugs! How cool is that?

My mom and dad used to kayak, but they bought a canoe so I can go with them. My favorite thing is to tip over the canoe! That way, I don’t have to swim alone. Maybe I'll learn to lie down so they'll bring me on all the trips they take with UMATR.

I've met some of the UMATR folks and they're really nice and lots of fun. They all love the water as much as I do. I hope you’ll join my mom's Committee so I can play in the river with you!

Susan Staples, Vice Chair,

Richford

1. I believe strongly that our waterways are our treasures, too few regions in the US do not have clean swimmable brooks and rivers, and we have what is often restricted to national parks and forests. 2. When we started MRBA and wanted to change people’s minds about our river. Too many thought it was too polluted to even touch. 3. I have good friends whom I see helping preserve and protect our watershed. 4. I get to plant trees on riverbanks to help mitigate erosion, and over nearly 30 yrs, I can go to places on land and in my canoe where our trees have grown to incredible sizes.

John Little, MRBA Representative

Thank you to our committee members for sharing! We would love you see you on this page in the future!