Whether it is a corporate volunteer day, Green Up Day, the annual RiverSweep, or another coordinated event, clearing garbage from the bed and banks of local rivers, streams, lakes and ponds has been B.R.A.T.'s signature program.

Volunteers take an empty plastic jar and some note taking materials with them. They search for 'exuviae', the empty larval exoskeletons of dragonflies as they leave the water to shed their 'baby skins' and fly off as winged adults.

Monitoring water quality is crucial for public health, ecosystem protection, and recreational enjoyment. Volunteers collect information and samples from a variety of water sites across the Black River region. 

B.R.A.T. collaborates with Dartmouth College and other partners to help prevent flooding, erosion, and infrastructure damage by ensuring clear drains, culverts, and ditches for proper water flow in local Vermont communities.

Volunteers learn to identify native plants, 

manage invasive species, plant a storm-savvy landscape, rehabilitate floodplain areas, and participate in "seed saving" & "stake-outs" as part of a growing Native Seed & Plant Network.

Whether you hire a landscaper or do it yourself, there are simple ways to beautify your yardscape, enrich the local ecosystem, feed the birds and boost your property's curb appeal, while protecting yourself from drought and storms.