BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont’s more than 800 lakes and ponds are in the spotlight this summer thanks to a declaration from Governor Phil Scott. Gov. Scott deemed July as Lake Appreciation Month in Vermont. He says lakes and ponds are one of the state’s most valuable natural resources for anything from habitat to drinking water to recreation. Scott says to celebrate this month, visit one of Vermont’s many state parks on a lake to plant a native tree species along the shoreline.