Award-winning Vermont Journalist Louis Porter Named Lake Champlain Lakekeeper at Conservation Law Foundation

CONTACT:
Christopher Kilian, CLF, (802) 223-5992 or ckilian@clf.org
Claire Morgenstern, CLF, (617) 850-1743

MONTPELIER, VT November 10, 2010 – Louis Porter, an award-winning Vermont journalist, has been named to the position of Lake Champlain Lakekeeper at the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), effective December 1, 2010. Porter is currently bureau chief of the Vermont Press Bureau, covering the Vermont State House and state government for the Rutland Herald and the Barre Montpelier Times-Argus.

As Lakekeeper, Porter will advocate for the restoration and protection of Lake Champlain and the rivers, streams, and landscapes that drain to the Lake from Vermont, New York, and Quebec. Porter will work with government officials, citizens, businesses, farmers and others concerned about the Lake and will investigate sources of pollution flowing into the Lake and its watershed. CLF’s Lakekeeper, a role established in 2001, is part of the Waterkeeper Alliance, an international network of more than 200 clean water advocates founded by environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

“Louis has reported on virtually all aspects of life in the Champlain region,” said Christopher Kilian, VP and director of CLF Vermont. “He has the skills to raise awareness of the Lake’s problems, bring stakeholders together around urgently-needed clean water solutions, and investigate and publicize water pollution sources.”

“As the Lakekeeper, my role will be to help the residents of the Champlain region to protect their right to clean and healthy waterways that are safe for drinking, swimming, fishing, and boating,” said Porter. “I am tremendously excited to join CLF and others working on these vital issues.”

During his tenure at the Rutland Herald and Times-Argus, Porter often covered environmental issues, demonstrating extraordinary knowledge about his topics, and expertly balancing passion and perspective in his coverage.

“My experience as a journalist covering the Lake Champlain region and, in particular, the ongoing efforts to preserve the Lake, has prepared me well for this advocacy role,” continued Porter. “I am very grateful for the opportunity afforded me by two terrific locally-owned newspapers – increasingly rare these days – to gain the depth of knowledge and present the many perspectives on an issue of great importance to residents of the communities in the Lake Champlain region.”

Since beginning his career as a journalist more than 10 years ago, Porter has written as a staff reporter or freelance writer for a variety of publications including The Advocate, a daily newspaper in Stamford, CT, Discover Magazine and The Boston Globe.

A Calais native, Porter has been a commercial fishing deckhand, done undergraduate biological research about ants and been a sculptor’s apprentice, among other jobs. He graduated in 2000 from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative History of Ideas.

The Conservation Law Foundation (www.clf.org) works to solve the most significant environmental challenges facing New England. CLF’s advocates use law, economics and science to create innovative strategies to conserve natural resources, protect public health and promote vital communities in our region. Founded, in 1966, CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization with offices in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.