Environmental groups and state agencies monitoring Lake Champlain are hoping to cut back on a population of Cormorants.  The birds' population has boomed since the pesticide DDT, which had decimated cormorants and other birds, was banned.

Our series of summer programs continues with a look at how the fish are biting. Anglers and wildlife officials are working to control damaging invasive species that affect our fish population - and they're experimenting with ways to improve fish habitat.

Veteran journalist Candace Page talks with VPR's Jane Lindholm about the impact of cormorants on Lake Champlain. Since arriving in the early 1980s, the big black birds have multiplied dramatically and efforts are underway to control them.

On Lake Champlain, one bird species is multiplying almost out of control. The double-crested cormorant was a rare visitor to the big lake just two decades ago. Now, almost 20,000 of the fish-eating birds are overrunning several islands and are pushing aside other bird species. The state began shooting cormorants this summer. But a leading biologist is concerned that this attempt at bird control could backfire.

The southern arm of Lake Champlain is host to several varieties of nuisance plants. Commentator Tom Slayton recently got better acquainted with one of them.

Here are some favorite outdoor places from environmental reporter Candace Page

The replica canal schooner Lois McClure, and its crew have spent part of this summer traveling up the St. Lawrence River.

In a few weeks, a reproduction of a 19th century boat that plied the waters of Lake Champlain will set sail for Quebec City. The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's replica canal schooner, the Lois McClure, will visit Quebec to help mark the city's 400th anniversary. As VPR's Ross Sneyd reports, the festivities in Quebec also start the observation of a big anniversary in the Champlain Valley.

Celebrations will take place tomorrow in Quebec City as Quebeckers mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of their city, and Vermont will be well represented by the crew of the replica schooner Lois McClure. Art Cohn, director of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is aboard the ship. He speaks with VPR's Mitch Wertlieb.

The Lois McClure, an 88-foot full-scale replica of a 19th century lake freighter, sets sail from Lake Champlain's Basin Harbor today bound for Quebec City.

This Fourth of July commentator Tom Slayton is celebrating a new link to the history of Lake Champlain.

Plattsburgh folk musician Stan Ransom, who's known as the Connecticut Peddler, has written a song celebrating the mystery of the Lake Champlain Monster.  It's called, Champ, and it's from his album, Songs of Lake Champlain.

This week VPR takes you to Grand Isle County. We'll explore life on the islands and the issues that affect Vermont's fastest growing county and the lake that surrounds it.

Vermont's senators are pushing for a bill that they say will ensure federal protection for water quality and biodiversity around Lake Champlain. Eric Niiler has the story.

VPR is observing Women's History Month - and the Champlain quadricentennial - by honoring five women who contributed to the history and culture of the Champlain Valley. Today, Julia Lewandoski* has the story of Sadie White - Winooski mill worker, long-time state legislator, and preservationist.

VPR is celebrating Women's History Month - and the Champlain quadricentennial - with stories of five women who contributed to the history and culture of the Champlain Valley. Among them is the story of Florence Weld, longest-serving director of Camp Hochelaga on Lake Champlain, told by Mrs. Weld's granddaughter, Joan Curtis.

This week - for women's history month and the Lake Champlain quadricentennial - VPR salutes five women who contributed to the history and culture of the Champlain Valley. Today, freelance writer and researcher, Julia Lewandoski, has the story of Philomene** Daniels - first woman Steamboat Captain on Lake Champlain - and in the nation.

Five women who figured prominently in the settling, development and culture of the Champlain Valley.

March is women's history month and in anticipation of the Lake Champlain quadricentennial, VPR is honoring the memory of five women who figured prominently in the history and culture of the Champlain Valley. Writer and historian Cyndy Bittinger has the story of Fanny Allen, privileged daughter of Ethan Allen who chose a life of service.

All this week, VPR has been observing Women's History Month - and the Champlain quadricentennial - by honoring Vermont women who contributed to the history and culture of the Champlain Valley. Louise Lampman-Larivee is the greatgranddaughter of the Abenaki woman from Swanton known as Grandma Lampman, who was known for her knowledge of tribal customs and medicinal herbs.

Folk legend Pete Sutherland helps students in Swanton craft their own ballad to honor Lake Champlain.

Work is nearly complete on a more than $2 million project to refurbish the New York-owned Champlain Memorial Lighthouse in time to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain's exploration of the region.

The Environmental Protection Agency says repairs are needed at a Superfund pollution site on Burlington's Lake Champlain waterfront.

State police say the tractor-trailer was carrying about 8,000 gallons of milk when it went off a road Sunday morning and crashed into a drainage ditch in Swanton, close to the Canadian border. The tank ruptured, sending most of the milk into the ditch.

Rescuers will continue to search Lake Champlain Tuesday for a man who disappeared from Mallets Bay early Monday morning.