THE 2023 GREETER PROGRAM TRAININGS HAVE BEEN POSTED! ALL Greeters and Coordinators are REQUIRED to receive training prior to working and to follow the Guidelines as explained below. If the Greeter Program is stationed at a VT Fishing Access Area, they are required to follow the conditions in the Special Use Permit.
Vermont Public Boat Access Greeter Program
Aquatic invasive species are spread by overland transport of watercraft, trailers, and fishing and recreational equipment. The most effective way to prevent spread is through education and equipment inspections designed to catch invasive species "hitching a ride" from one waterbody to another. Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species is far more effective and economically sensible than eradicating invasive species once they are established. With support from Vermont DEC, Public Access Greeters educate lake visitors about invasive species, provide courtesy watercraft inspections, and STOP introductions.
Since 2002, the Vermont Public Access Greeter Program has expanded operation to accesspoints at 32 lakes and ponds statewide, and those numbers are increasing annually. The total number of inspected watercrafts has increased since the program's inception, with 404 inspected in 2002 to 31,052 in 2022. In 2022, Greeters intercepted and removed 530 instances of aquatic invasive species. Of these AIS intercepts, 451 were Eurasian watermilfoil.
To find a Public Access Greeter Station or Watercraft Decontamination near you, see the AIS Map.
Boat Access Greeter Duties
- Approaching and interacting with boaters
- Inspecting watercraft
- Identifying and handling suspicious specimens
- Collecting and reporting data
- Distributing educational material on aquatic invasive species
Annual Greeter Program Training
All Vermont Public Access Greeters and Coordinators are required to attend annual Greeter Program Trainings. The trainings include up-to-date information about the program and professional development techniques. Some of the topics include:
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Aquatic invasive species biology, threats to Vermont, and the importance of spread prevention
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Access area rules and regulations, invasive species laws
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Tips on delivering invasive species messages and interacting with the public
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How to inspect watercraft and data collection methods
Program Materials and Supplies
If you currently run a program or want to start a new program, we provide a “Greeter on Duty” welcoming sandwich board for each program, “Access Greeter” t-shirts and training manual for each greeter, up-to-date informational literature for public distribution, and other giveaways for the boating public designed to promote the "Clean, Drain, Dry" message.
Contact
If you are interested in starting a greeter program, hosting a training workshop or learning more about aquatic invasive species, contact Olin Reed at Olin.Reed@vermont.gov or (802) 490-6121
Greeter Training Information
The 2023 Greeter Schedule has been posted HERE
All VT Public Access Greeters are required to attend a training which they can register for HERE
2023 VT Public Access Greeters are required to follow the Vermont Health Department guidelines. For up to date information on these guidelines, please check the COVID-19 | Vermont Department of Health (healthvermont.gov) site for current guidelines
The 2023 Vermont Public Access Greeter Program Trainings will be similar to last year, with the addition of 3 in-person training offering which will include a decon demonstration. The online workshops will be via teams during April, May, and June. The trainings will be required for all staff and volunteers, including Greeter Coordinators, and returning, new, volunteer, or staff Greeters. The trainings will not be taped or available in webinars. During the next month, updates, publications, and resources will be added to this webpage as they are developed. Please check these sources to stay informed of the progress. For more information, please contact Olin Reed at Olin.Reed@vermont.gov.
Please register all individuals for the 2023 Vermont Public Access Greeter Training. A Teams Workshop link will be sent to the e-mail provided to participate in the online workshop, and they are also provided on the training schedule.
