Friends of the Barge Canal Inc.

Friends of the Barge Canal Inc. is a nonprofit educational organization based in Burlington, Vermont. The group focuses on the preservation and protection of the Pine Street Barge Canal, a 28-acre area between Pine Street and Lake Champlain.

Mission and Activities

The organization is committed to working alongside nature to protect and care for the land, emphasizing the importance of ecological balance and community involvement. Friends of the Barge Canal advocates for responsible land use and environmental stewardship.

The Pine Street Barge Canal

The Pine Street Barge Canal includes approximately 20 acres of wetlands and has a rich history. Originally inhabited by the Abenaki people, who valued the area for its abundant resources and protection, it later served as a site for industrial activities, including a coal gasification plant in the 20th century. This led to significant environmental contamination, prompting the site's inclusion on the Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund Priority List in 1982. Since then, the area has been allowed to heal naturally, with various development plans facing resistance from community activism.

Community Engagement and Actions

The group encourages community engagement through activities like clean-up events, community meetings, and outreach programs. They also produce educational content, such as podcasts, to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the land and its potential benefits for carbon sequestration, wildlife refuge, stormwater management, and open space near the city center.

Vision for the Future

Friends of the Barge Canal envision the Pine Street Barge Canal as a model for sustainable land management and community-led conservation. Their efforts aim to balance human needs with environmental responsibility, ensuring the long-term health of both the ecosystem and the surrounding community.