Champlain Valley

Lake Champlain gives this area a sense of place. I was born on the NY side of the lake in Clinton County, then later in middle school moved to the Vermont side where my parents owned a house on the Northern Part of the lake. Much time over the summers were spent swimming, fishing, boating and exploring. Due to water pollution we often experienced a major algae bloom at the end of the summer. I've also seen zebra muscles spread in the lake over time. These experiences got me interested in the environment and the problems caused by invasive species. After graduating high school I went to college at UVM in Burlington which is also near the lake. The lake has always been near by and I hope that people that live in the area will protect its wildlife and keep it as close to how it was in 1500.