Ali Dieng

“Vermont’s land-based resource policies should protect our natural environment while ensuring that these resources remain accessible and economically sustainable. Priorities should include safeguarding water quality through watershed-based planning and reducing pollution from agriculture, stormwater, and development. We should preserve forests, farmland, wetlands by strengthening conservation partnerships and providing incentives that encourage responsible stewardship. Vermont’s recent flooding demonstrates the importance of protecting and restoring wetlands, floodplains, forests, and river corridors. These natural systems can reduce flood impacts, improve water quality, protect wildlife habitat, and make our communities more resilient to increasingly severe weather. Local participation is equally important. Municipalities, landowners, farmers, conservation organizations, Abenaki communities, recreational users, we should have meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions affecting Vermont’s nature. Our goal should be to ensure that future generations inherit well-maintained public parks and open spaces remains accessible for everyone.”

KEYWORDS: Local Participation - Smart land Use, Agriculture, clean lake and maining oopen space

“I support partnerships with farmers, municipalities, businesses, conservation organizations, and educational institutions to encourage responsible land management. Incentives and technical assistance can help landowners adopt environmentally responsible practices without placing unreasonable financial burdens on working families and small businesses. Vermont should also continue investing in environmental research and data collection. Strong research helps policymakers understand changing weather patterns, water quality, forest health, invasive species, and other emerging challenges before making major policy decisions. Environmental protection and economic opportunity should complement one another. By supporting sustainable agriculture, outdoor recreation, responsible development, and Vermont’s working lands, we can protect our environment while strengthening local economies. Our responsibility is to leave future generations a Vermont with clean water, healthy forests, resilient communities, and productive lands.”

KEYWORDS: Clean water, Healthy forests, Resilient communities, Productive lands, Collaboration, Sustainability, Future generations

“I support practical policies that help Vermont communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters while strengthening long-term resilience. We should invest in flood mitigation, stormwater infrastructure, river corridors, wetlands, and emergency preparedness. Vermont should also support farmers, small businesses, municipalities, and tourism-related industries affected by flooding, reduced snowpack, and changing weather patterns. Protecting and managing healthy forests is essential for wildlife, recreation, our working lands, and carbon storage. I also support using scientific research and local knowledge to guide investments. Our goal should be safer communities, stronger infrastructure, resilient industries, and a Vermont prepared for future natural disasters.”

KEYWORDS: safer communities, stronger infrastructure, resilient industries, natural disastre

“Vermont should invest in AI education and workforce training so workers, students, educators, healthcare providers, and small businesses can benefit from emerging technologies rather than be left behind. We should establish strong protections for privacy, cybersecurity, transparency, and responsible use of AI, particularly when automated systems influence employment, healthcare, education, or access to public services. Human oversight should remain essential for high-impact decisions. As data centers expand, Vermont should carefully consider their demands on electricity, water, land, and infrastructure, while encouraging energy efficiency and ensuring that costs are not unfairly shifted to residents. Finally, Vermont should support partnerships among schools, colleges, businesses, state agencies, and communities to prepare for technological change. Our goal should be to use AI to increase opportunity, productivity, and access while protecting people, jobs, and Vermont values.”

KEYWORDS: Opportunity, Innovation, Protection, Responsibility, Vermont Values

“Energy policy should balance reliability, affordability, and environmental responsibility. Investments in local energy generation, efficiency, grid modernization, and storage can also create good-paying jobs in construction, electrical work, engineering, manufacturing, and maintenance. Vermont must prioritize workforce training, so these economic opportunities benefit Vermonters and strengthen our communities.”

KEYWORDS: Good paying jobs, reliability, engineering workforce training