University students to help Vermont communities with long-term recovery [Video]

A group of graduate students from the University of Pennsylvania has arrived in Vermont’s capital region to support long-term recovery efforts following the devastating floods that struck the area over the past two summers.Their mission is to explore the hardest-hit regions and gain a deeper understanding of the community’s challenges.For the past two years, the students have been engaged in projects focused on climate change and recovery strategies tailored for Vermont.On Tuesday, they began assessing flood zone areas in towns like Barre, Montpelier, and Plainfield.Mark Dellostritto, one of the students, explained the significance of their work.“This semester-long project is designed to help us learn the planning process. Each project is unique, and ours specifically targets flood and climate resiliency, helping these towns rebuild stronger,” Dellostritto said.After two years of data analysis and digital mapping, graduate student Christina Moss emphasized the need for on-the-ground experience.“Understanding data’s limitations, especially in smaller regions, …