Whetstone Walk-About + Open House

site walk + community conversation about the restoration of 250 Birge Street

On Friday, May 18 the community is invited to explore the floodplain restoration of a 12-acre parcel of land along the Whetstone Brook at a pair of events. At 5:15 P.M., the Brattleboro Conservation Commission and Vermont River Conservancy will host a site walk of the property which is located at 250 Birge Street in Brattleboro. The public is invited to walk the site and learn more about the floodplain restoration project and site conditions from Sue Fillion, Brattleboro Town Planner and Steve Libby, Executive Director at the Vermont River Conservancy.

At 6:00 P.M., the community conversation will continue with students from Hilltop Montessori at an Open House at the Root Social Justice Center, located at 28 Williams Street in Brattleboro. The students will display maps and share their recommendations on how to transform the site into an ecological and cultural asset for the community. The students have been working with river experts, regional planners, and Judy Dow, an Abenaki artist and educator, learn about the property. They have done hand-on environmental testing and historical research and engaged with community members to gather their stories and perspectives.

The student work is part of Vermont Performance Lab and Windham Regional Commission’s The Confluence Project, which brings an integrated arts-science residency to three local schools to delve into the science, history and culture of local watersheds. The Confluence Project in-school residencies are made possible with support from the Fresh Sound Foundation, the High Meadows Fund, the Windham Foundation, The Thomas Thompson Trust and the Vermont Arts Council.

The event is a collaboration of several community partners including Vermont Performance Lab, Hilltop Montessori School, Vermont River Conservancy, and the Town of Brattleboro. The Root Social Justice Center is a fragrance-free and nut-free space. Parking is limited so please walk or carpool. For more information, contact Sue Fillion, Brattleboro Town Planner at sfillion@brattleboro.org or 802-251-8112.