• Overall positive trajectory of wetland-breeding birds suggests that open herbaceous and forested wetlands have benefited from management practices.

• Vermont Wetlands Rules have played an instrumental role in conserving wetlands, with heavy involvement of citizens.

• Nine of the obligate wetland breeders are SCGN.

• Champlain Valley marsh routes have been surveyed since 1996, but regular monitoring has not been conducted since the late 2000s.

• Re-establish annual avian monitoring of selected wetlands in the Champlain and Connecticut valleys under the North American Marsh Bird Monitoring Program.

• The diversity of wetland types requires a variety of management strategies. Priority should be given to Class I and II wetlands, and to those wetland species or species assemblages at greatest conservation risk.

• Stabilize water levels during the nesting period.

• Prevent the introduction and spread of plant and animal exotics.

• Prevent pollution and sedimentation from agricultural runoff or other sources.

• Retain forested or other natural vegetation buffers.

• Actively restore habitat in selected wetlands with compromised ecosystem functions.

• Minimize recreational or other human disturbance during the breeding season.

• Implement species-specific measures to enhance nesting success (e.g., delaying mowing in grassland borders for Blue-winged Teal, placing artificial nest platforms for Black Terns).